Rome_and_Greese

Artistic Themes from Ancient Cultures: Greece and Rome Omar Braham HUM/100 January 02, 2011 Raphael A. Mizzell Introduction The purpose of this paper is to explore a theme as it relate to Ancient Cultures through early Greek and Roman times. They are several topics that worth discussing but, this paper will be focusing on religious expressions. This paper will discuss how religion expression reflects in the cultural development from each time period. This paper will also compare and contrast the development of the theme within each of the historical periods listed while relating past attitudes to modern ones. Ancient Greek Greece is divided into over 100 cities otherwise called polis, all the cities except Athens has the same four characteristic, a community authority, small, independent from Greek nation responsive to citizen. These characteristic help to build loyalty amongst community and to their religion. Religion plays a very important part in the in each polis, Ancient Greece practice polytheism which is the worshiping of many gods. Each polis has their own personal god who is in charge of that section or community; there were about twelve chief gods all Greeks worship. The poleis normally stress the importance of religion in each community and uses religion as a way of unifying people. Poleis participate in religious festivals, rituals and beliefs to honor their specific god and help to promote a feeling of loyalty. Great emphasis is normally place on the ritual than their belief, person who worships the same god and live in the same polis shows more loyalty to each other unlike than someone from outside. The Ancient Greek believes that if you do not perform the ritual you may be punish by the gods and the gods were unethical so it may be beneficial to you to perform the ritual. Ancient Romans Rome was founded on the Italian Peninsula in the 9th century BC to a large empire running across the Mediterranean Sea. During the unification of the Italian Peninsula, Rome successfully conquered the Etruscans and the surrounding people, and expands their military. With a strong military force Rome was able to take over different territory and make it their, thus expanding rapidly. Religion in Rome can be characterized as a synthesis of three sources of beliefs, the Greek belief, the Indigenous Roman belief and the Etruscan belief. Religion in Rome is very orderly, conservative and rigid due to these beliefs. Ancient Greek and Rome Religious Culture Rome Whenever the people from Rome would gather in a temple to worship they would burn incense, stand upright withy upturn palms. If a person from Rome wanted to ask for something quietly they would go up near to their god or goodness and whisper their requests. They would pay a fee for admission and would also bring sacrifices and offering to the temple, this was the priest income and it made him extremely rich. The religion was kept because it passed down from generation to generation. Classical Antiquity or Classical Period is used to describe the comprising the assimilation of civilization of Ancient Greek and Ancient Rome. They believed first believed in animistic tradition, this is having many spirits that were responsible for specific aspects of human activities. They believed in many different gods, one of their beliefs was Ancestor or genius, worship, whereby each family honor his or her own dead. The Rome took over the Greek. They inherited the Greek gods instead of following the Greek rules, thus turning on their Roman counterparts. They explore and absorb many other religions, gaining a rich and puzzled mythology. Eventually Christianity replaced the older pantheon as the religion of Rome. Religion plays a very significant role in the ancient Greek life. They believed that they would not be alive if they did not believe in their god. They even believed in after death and that their god would take care of them in the afterlife. Greece They are different believe and debate by historian and philosophers as to where the Greek religion is originated from, however still unknown. Some believe are that it came from the Egyptians while some believe that the gods were simple natural forces. The Ancient Greeks practiced polytheistic, they believed there were many different gods and goddesses. Greeks would build some large and beautiful temples in every town for one god or goddess where they would go to worship or sacrifice animals. This would consider as a gift to their god or goddess. The Greek were known to sacrifice animals at festivals in honor of their gods. This was a very well planned festival, including music, dancing, and ends with a feast. The Greeks would gather and worship their gods and goddesses who they believed lived at the top of Mount Olympus. The Romans borrowed the Greek’s god and goddesses but gave them new names nonetheless; the god and goddess would have the same responsibilities for either of them. The Greek also worship at a holy site called Oracles. This is where they would go and pray to the priest to predict what their future holds. Greek believes that the god gave them signs of nature for example the tumbling of a leave on the ground. Modern Culture and Ancient Religion Culture In comparison to the development of the theme with each of the historical periods listed as well as relating past attitude to modern ones and after exploring the historical period of religion practiced by ancient Greek and Roman times, It is a known fact that some people worship idols. Modern day religion is all about teaching us to be kind merciful and forgiving to each others, unlike ancient religion which taught “an eye for an eye.” Today in our modern society Christians are known to the most influential people, they are expected to be a role-model to others. We as a society have come a far way, since ancient religion in some aspect of religion but not in other aspects. People still worship idols, but the laws of the land are not that harsh as in the ancient times. Conclusion In conclusion as stated above, during the ancients Greek and Rome time there were many of types of religions that were tried before they finally chose Christianity. Many worshiped idols and gave them names. Each idol was responsible for certain aspect of his or her lives, for instance Zeus for the Romans and Jupiter the Greeks was responsible the Sky, and was responsible for all the elements of the sky such as the thunder, rain and the cloud. We can even look at Hera and June respectively which was the protector of Marriage. It’s not so in this modern time, we believe in one God that rule over all aspect of our lives Reference Grant F. & Cheri, Harlan. (1998), Voyage Back in Time: Ancient Greece and Rome, Retrieved January 01, 2011, from http://chalk.richmond.edu/education/projects/webunits/greecerome/Greecerelig1.html