Lesson 6: Greco-Roman Classical Culture

Literature and Sculpture

The classical culture of Greece and Rome is reflected in mythology, literature, art, philosophy, science, history, jurisprudence, sports and other aspects, some of which are still being inherited and developed today.

Greek mythology is widely influential and is characterized by the "homogeneity of gods and men". The Homeric Hymns are a valuable literary heritage and a major document for understanding early Greek society.

The art of Greek figure sculpture reached a state of perfection. The statue of Zeus in the Temple of Olympia is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Discus Thrower is a masterpiece of Greek sculpture.

Art of Architecture

The architectural art of Greece and Rome has had a profound influence on the architectural style of later generations. Greek architecture was mainly reflected in the temples. The temples were surrounded by corridors with thick and thin columns. The Parthenon in Athens is a typical representative.

 Roman architecture absorbed the characteristics of Greek architecture and made some innovations, such as stone arches and domes, which were strong and sturdy, but also magnificent. The representative buildings of Rome include the Colosseum, which can accommodate nearly 80,000 spectators, and the Aqueduct, the longest of which is a waterway.

The longest above-ground aqueduct is 91 kilometers long; the triumphal arch, the obelisk, and the Pantheon, a grand religious site.

Philosophy and Jurisprudence

Ancient Greek philosophy is an outstanding achievement. Democritus developed the "atomic theory," which held that everything in the universe was made up of tiny "atoms. Socrates' thinking turned to human society, and the philosopher spent his life exploring questions of the human soul, virtue, and happiness. He pointed out that the best way to gain knowledge is to ask and answer questions systematically; he also argued that "one should know oneself", which is important for understanding the inner world of man.

Aristotle was an encyclopedic scholar. He contributed to many disciplines. He also founded new disciplines such as logic.

Jurisprudence was one of the greatest achievements of the Romans. The Law of the Twelve Bronze Tables was the first step in the construction of the Roman legal system and was the source of later Roman codes and even European jurisprudence.

The jurists of the Roman Empire argued extensively about law, including the law of nations, which applied to the relationship between Roman citizens and non-citizens, economic law, which dealt with the production and exchange of goods, and numerous legal concepts. Together they constitute the complete system of Roman jurisprudence.

Origin of the Gregorian calendar

The Gregorian calendar that we use today was created by the ancient Romans. The Roman calendar was derived from the solar calendar of the ancient Egyptians. Julius Caesar ordered a new calendar, called the Julian calendar, which was based on the solar calendar. In order to correct the error of nearly 6 hours per year, a day was added every 4 years, i.e. every year divided by 4 was a leap year, and a day was added in February. in the 4th century, the Roman emperor used this as the Christian calendar.

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