Contributions & Legacy
Modern Language & Literature
Our own alphabets come from Greek origins. The word “alphabet” derives from the Greek words alpha and beta. There are many connections between our words and there's. An example is telephone, which comes from the greek words tel (far off) and phone (voice). The way we write comes from them. English writing is based on Greek grammar, punctuation, and paragraphing. They also had many contributions in literature. From creating drama (tragedy and comedy) to creating historical writing. Modern historians follow in Herodotus and Thucydides’ foot steps.
Modern Government
The government we use today was invented by Greeks. In Connecticut we have a representative democracy for our government. Meaning that we elect people to represent us. This idea originated in Greece. However, the used a type of democracy where every single citizen can vote on every issue. A citizen had to be born in ancient Greece and had to be male. In modern day democracy every sex is a citizen and people from other countries can become citizens. Our basic principles of democracy came from ancient Greece.
Modern Medicine
In ancient Greece they thought that sickness was caused by gods punishing someone. A man named Hippocrates had an idea that sickness occurred naturally in someone. Today doctors have to take the Hippocratic Oath to preserve life, be honest, and keep information about their patients private.
Modern Understanding of the Body
The Greeks couldn’t study the human body much. This is because they believed cutting people would offend the gods. Soon there beliefs changed, so they learned new things. They discovered that the heart sends blood throughout the body, learned that the brain was the center of the nervous system, and they could name new organs.
Modern Mathematics
Ancient Greeks used geometry to measure how much seed they needed to buy for planting a field and how to lay out a city. Also, Euclid made a geometry textbook that became the basis of learning for over 2,000 years. There was also Hypatia was the first women to earn fame as a mathematician.
Modern Astronomy
They pioneered astronomy. A man named Aristarchus suggested that the Earth revolved around the Sun. Many people were outraged because they thought Earth was the center of the universe. Also, Hipparchus studied and name more than 850 stars. He estimated the distance between from the Earth to the sun and the Earth to the Moon.
Modern Geography
Greek mapmakers created a system of longitude and latitude. Ptolemy, a great philosopher, wrote a book called Geography. This book contained over 8,000 places and represented a curved Earth on a flat surface.
Modern Understanding of Plants and Animals
The Greeks named many plants and their parts. They also found out how they reproduce. Aristotle classified plants into herbs, shrubs, and trees. He also organized animals by vertebrate and invertebrate. Depending on if they have backbones or not.
Modern Architecture
The Greeks invented columns including; doric, ionic, and corinthian. They also made the pediments, and beautiful bands called friezes. The style the Greeks built with is still used today. Many government buildings like The Lincoln Memorial building uses columns like them.
Modern Theatre
In ancient Greece the built there theaters in rows of steep circles, like today. Also, special effect, like hoists to lift actors, was invented. The scenery could be rotated to easily switch scenes in ancient Greece. Today, greek dramas are still played all around the world.
Modern Sports
The Greeks invented the famous Olympic Games. At first it was used to honor Zeus, but today it is one giant game of many different sports, with people from all around the world. They would light the Olympic flame, just like today’s Olympics. Also, the pentathlon, equestrian events, wrestling, boxing, and running was created here.
Modern Language & Literature
Our own alphabets come from Greek origins. The word “alphabet” derives from the Greek words alpha and beta. There are many connections between our words and there's. An example is telephone, which comes from the greek words tel (far off) and phone (voice). The way we write comes from them. English writing is based on Greek grammar, punctuation, and paragraphing. They also had many contributions in literature. From creating drama (tragedy and comedy) to creating historical writing. Modern historians follow in Herodotus and Thucydides’ foot steps.
Modern Government
The government we use today was invented by Greeks. In Connecticut we have a representative democracy for our government. Meaning that we elect people to represent us. This idea originated in Greece. However, the used a type of democracy where every single citizen can vote on every issue. A citizen had to be born in ancient Greece and had to be male. In modern day democracy every sex is a citizen and people from other countries can become citizens. Our basic principles of democracy came from ancient Greece.
Modern Medicine
In ancient Greece they thought that sickness was caused by gods punishing someone. A man named Hippocrates had an idea that sickness occurred naturally in someone. Today doctors have to take the Hippocratic Oath to preserve life, be honest, and keep information about their patients private.
Modern Understanding of the Body
The Greeks couldn’t study the human body much. This is because they believed cutting people would offend the gods. Soon there beliefs changed, so they learned new things. They discovered that the heart sends blood throughout the body, learned that the brain was the center of the nervous system, and they could name new organs.
Modern Mathematics
Ancient Greeks used geometry to measure how much seed they needed to buy for planting a field and how to lay out a city. Also, Euclid made a geometry textbook that became the basis of learning for over 2,000 years. There was also Hypatia was the first women to earn fame as a mathematician.
Modern Astronomy
They pioneered astronomy. A man named Aristarchus suggested that the Earth revolved around the Sun. Many people were outraged because they thought Earth was the center of the universe. Also, Hipparchus studied and name more than 850 stars. He estimated the distance between from the Earth to the sun and the Earth to the Moon.
Modern Geography
Greek mapmakers created a system of longitude and latitude. Ptolemy, a great philosopher, wrote a book called Geography. This book contained over 8,000 places and represented a curved Earth on a flat surface.
Modern Understanding of Plants and Animals
The Greeks named many plants and their parts. They also found out how they reproduce. Aristotle classified plants into herbs, shrubs, and trees. He also organized animals by vertebrate and invertebrate. Depending on if they have backbones or not.
Modern Architecture
The Greeks invented columns including; doric, ionic, and corinthian. They also made the pediments, and beautiful bands called friezes. The style the Greeks built with is still used today. Many government buildings like The Lincoln Memorial building uses columns like them.
Modern Theatre
In ancient Greece the built there theaters in rows of steep circles, like today. Also, special effect, like hoists to lift actors, was invented. The scenery could be rotated to easily switch scenes in ancient Greece. Today, greek dramas are still played all around the world.
Modern Sports
The Greeks invented the famous Olympic Games. At first it was used to honor Zeus, but today it is one giant game of many different sports, with people from all around the world. They would light the Olympic flame, just like today’s Olympics. Also, the pentathlon, equestrian events, wrestling, boxing, and running was created here.