The Greek and Roman Influence over Modern America

The way to better the world is to go back to the past and learn the ways of those who came before and learned from their mistakes; sort of like time traveling. When going back in time and comparing the ancient civilizations of Rome and Greece to today, the root of our knowledge is greatly influenced on the minds who have lived at that time. Some may ask which civilization had the most impact on United States and the world? Many would say that the Romans had the most impact on United States and the world and some may contradict and say Greece had the most influence. However, Greece influenced the world and the United States the most in tremendous ways. Greece gave the United States the influence to start it’s first

Ancient Greece is one of the most famous and important contributors to Western Civilization and the modern world. The Greek civilization only lasted around 4 centuries, but the Greeks civilization and ideas have formed and shaped the ideas and civilizations of the world for thousands of years. The Greeks strived for arête meaning being excellent in everything they do. The Greeks were in fact, excellent in everything they did. Greek culture is used as a reference for their democratic government, medicine, and sciences. Their literature, philosophy, architecture, math, science, arts, and religion are studied and used today all around the world. The Greeks were a very advanced culture, starting the first democratic government which most democratic countries studied to create their own government. They produce some of the most famous writers and philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Homer, Socrates, Thales and more. Their mathematical theories and formulas are used in math classes around the world. Their architecture is still being used because some of their buildings still stand today and the beauty they were able to capture. They were great merchants, traders, and colonizers. The influences of Greek culture affected not only other cultures or civilizations but still impacting lives today. The Greeks were unique in the way they thought and in their actions. The advanced art and literature are being taught today in schools. Their philosophies are still being examined today.

From 509 BC to about 27 BC, Rome was considered a republic. During this time there was no single leader of Rome and the government was run by elected officials. The main leaders of the Roman Republic were the consuls. There were always two consuls in power at a time. Each year new consuls were elected to serve for a one-year term. This kept any one man from becoming too powerful in the government. At the time the Senate was the most powerful governing body in Rome. The Senate had control of the state’s finances and foreign policies. Senators were elected by the people to represent them in government. The Senate was made up of 300 of the most elite and wealthiest of the Roman Republic. One of the most important roles of the Senate to undergo the checks and balances of the Roman government. Checks and balances are the “principle of government under which separate branches are empowered to prevent actions by other branches and are induced to share power” (The Editors). The checks and balances of Rome helped to stabilize the government and allowed the power to be distributed somewhat equally between the consul, the Senate, and the people. However, the fall of the Roman Empire eliminated this type aspect of government in Rome (Kagan 101-103).

First, Romans created a strong government where not just one branch had unlimited power. The Romans had strong leaders almost like the president and senators. For example, if one branch wanted to pass a law, all branches would vote to see if the law could last or not be a law at all. Even though the people of America vote, the Romans still influenced a lot of people.

So that is the greeks influenced modern American. They also influenced a lot more things. The greeks was pretty cool, because they came up with a lot of thing that we use today. So we should tell them thank

The similarities between Rome and America are striking, this leads me to believe that like the Roman empire, America will also fall. Some things that the Roman Empire and The United States of America have in common are spending habits, lifestyle and infrastructure.

The Roman Republic was a “democratic” republic, which allowed first citizens to vote, and to choose their governors in the senate (Hence, their consuls). However, it was a nation ruled by its aristocracy, and, consequently, the entire Republic`s power was concentrated in a few individuals. Furthermore, the Senate was controlled by Patricians, which directed the government by using wealth to buy control and power over the decisions of the senate and the consuls. This situation aroused the inconformity of the people; as result, a civil war took place in the Republic (destroying it), and then the Roman Empire was born.

The philosopher George Santayana once stated that “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” When comparing this quote to world history, the quote can be interpreted as a warning, that the past can be a guide to help shape modern society by providing wisdom from past mistakes. Ancient Rome like America is known for being a melting pot of both religion and cultures while also having a complex social structure. They both stand out for being known for their tales of strategy, powerful military, and how other cultural expressions influences their own. When comparing ancient Rome to modern America, it can be seen how similar they are to one another.

American society developed some things from the Greeks and share similarities with ancient Greece. The American society studied the Greek culture and adapted it into the American society. The American society has always looked upon ancient Greece as the cradle for some of its cultural development. Through Ancient Greece influence, the American society developed architectural and political similarities from Greece.

warfare, to the styles of art and government. In Ancient Greece, every four years rival city-states would set aside their differences and participate in what we call today The Olympic Games. Even though in present time we don't use the original traditions of Ancient Greece, the very idea of The Olympics Games came from Ancient Greece. The impact of The Olympic Games has made on American history is tremendous. An ancient Greek poet once wrote, “As in the daytime there is no star in the sky warmer and brighter than the sun, likewise there is no competition greater than the Olympic Games.” What the poet is believed to be trying to say is that The Olympic Games is very important for the city-states and always resorts in a positive outcome. Just as present day Olympics, it's a time where countries come together to compete in friendly sports like soccer, basketball, swimming, etc. It's a time of fun and competition between countries. If

Over 2,000 years ago Romulus and Remus fought and from the ashes of this destroyed familial relationship Rome was built, and now so many years later this great empire still influences many parts of modern society. At the Roman Empire’s peak, it stretched as west as Scotland and as far east as Iraq causing it to influence the development of many cultures and society’s. America might be an ocean away, and but since its founding many parts of its culture and society are similar to and influenced by ancient Rome.

Greece has been talked about for years. Sparta and Athens, their abilities at fighting and how their government systems was far superior any government during that time. Not only was the government ahead of its time, but so were their social values. Rome would soon adopt greek, government, social values, and education. It didn’t take long for these discoveries of Greek religion, politics, and social values would soon take hold of the to be perennial power house, Rome.

From ages past, the actions of conquerors, kings and tyrants had brought the Roman Republic to a stance that opposed any idea of a singular leader, of a single man that held total power over the entirety of the state. Their rejection of the various ruthless Etruscan rulers that had previously dictated them brought the Republic to existence in 509 BC , and as a republic their prominence throughout the provinces of the world exponentially expanded. Throughout these years, the traditions of the Romans changed to varying degrees, most noticeably as a result of the cultural influence that its subject nations had upon the republic, as well as the ever-changing nature of Roman society in

The roman republic is the second period of Roman history after the monarchy. The Republic played a very important role in the history of Rome because it put an end to the monarchical system of leaders, and also laid the foundations of the largest and most feared empire ever seen. During the Roman republic, the romans invented a new political system of government. They invented a system in which two persons ruled the Roman Republic. These people were called “consuls” and they had a limited mandate to one year only, because the Romans were afraid of one person had the absolute control of Rome. The consuls were responsible for exercising functions of government, military and justice.

There are many areas in today’s society that reflect empires from early in human history. Much influence can be found from the Roman and Grecian empires, more than from any other sources. The basic forming of our own government can be traced back to the ideals that formed the Roman and Greek governments, paying attention their strengths and also to what caused the demise of those societies as well. (teachergenius.teachtci.com) Let us examine the Roman influences and facts first.