History of ancient History of ancient Greece and Rome Greece and Rome 1.3. Major Cultural Achievements and 1.3. Major Cultural Achievements and Developments of Greece Developments of Greece 1.3.1 Region • The ancient Greeks were polytheists. • They had a rich set of myths about their gods and goddesses. • The ancient Greeks also believed that the gods and goddesses were not very different from humans. • Two main differences between the gods and humans. • Most gods and goddesses were stronger than humans. • Human lived temporary lives but the gods and goddesses lived forever. 1.3.2. Literature and Theater 1.3.2. Literature and Theater • About 950 B.C a blind poet named Homer believed he had a special purpose. • Two of Homer’s greatest epics are the Iliad and The Odyssey. • Theater had its beginnings in ancient Greece, growing out important religious festival. • Tragedies or plays have sad endings, were performed in the morning festivals. • Comedies are funny and have happy endings, were performed late in the day. 1.3.3. Philosophy 1.3.3. Philosophy • Is a Greek word meaning “love of wisdom”. • Athens’ most famous philosopher was a man named Socrates. • In 399 B.C Socrates was accused by the government of “forming an idea of revolt” among Athens’ young people. • One of Socrates’ most brilliant students was Plato. • He also found the world’s first university called the Academy. • The Academy last for 900 years after Plato’s death, spreading ideas to Europe, Asia and Africa. 1.3.4. Architecture 1.3.4. Architecture • Called Acropolis, it was a hill-top fortress made up of many building. • It means “high city”. • The largest building on the Acropolis was the Parthenon. 1.4.The spread of Greeks Ideas 1.4.The spread of Greeks Ideas • In 404 B.C lost its power, democracy and wealth to other Greek city-state that had united against Athens. • A new empire named Macedonia, admired Greek culture. • In 336 B.C, Alexander was crowned king of Macedonia. • Alexander The Great spread the cultural traditional of Greece to all these lands. . History of ancient History of ancient Greece and Rome Greece and Rome 1.3. Major Cultural Achievements. Achievements and Developments of Greece Developments of Greece 1.3.1 Region • The ancient Greeks were polytheists. • They had a rich set of myths about their gods