Ancient Hellas. What is the "beginning of European civilization"?

Ancient Greece is not without reason called the cradle of European civilization. This relatively small country has had a tremendous impact on the development of the most diverse spheres of human life. For example, the myths of Ancient Greece have not lost their relevance today. As in those times, they quite accurately reflect the inner world of man, the relationship of people among themselves and with the forces of nature.

What does "Hellas" mean

Another name, which the Greeks called their homeland - Hellas. What is "Hellas", what meaning was given to this word? The fact is that this is how their homeland was called Hellenes. The Greeks called the Hellenes the ancient Romans. In translation from their language, the "Greek" meant "croaking." Apparently, this was due to the fact that the ancient Romans did not like the sound of the Hellenic language. In Greek, the word "Hellas" means "Morning Dawn".

Cradle of European spiritual values

Many disciplines, such as medicine, politics, art and literature, originated in the territory of ancient Greece. Scientists agree that human civilization could not achieve modern development without the knowledge that the Ancient Hellas had. It was on its territory that the first philosophical concepts were formed, which all current science operates. Here, the spiritual values of European civilization were laid. Athletes of Ancient Greece were the first Olympic champions. The first ideas about the surrounding world - both material and non-material - were suggested by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle.

Ancient Greece - the birthplace of science and art

If you take any branch of science or art, then it will somehow be rooted in the knowledge gained in the days of Ancient Greece. A great contribution to the development of historical knowledge was made by the scientist Herodotus. His works were devoted to the study of the Greco-Persian wars. There is also a huge contribution to the development of mathematics of the scientists of Pythagoras and Archimedes. The ancient Greeks invented a huge number of adaptations, which were used primarily in military campaigns.

Interest for modern scientists is also the way of life of the Greeks, the homeland of which was Hellas. What is living in the dawn of civilization, is very vividly described in a work called the Iliad. This monument of literature, which has come down to our days, describes the historical events of those times and the everyday life of the Hellenes. The most valuable in the work of the Iliad is the reality of the events described in it.

Modern progress and Hellas. What is the "cradle of European civilization"?

The early period of the development of ancient Greek civilization is officially called the Dark Age. It falls on 1050-750 years BC. E. This is the time when the Mycenaean culture has already collapsed - one of the most magnificent civilizations that has already been known for writing. However, the definition of "The Dark Age" rather refers to the lack of information about this era, rather than to specific events. Despite the fact that the writing was already lost, it was at this time that the political and aesthetic properties that the Ancient Hellas possessed began to manifest. In this period of the beginning of the Iron Age, prototypes of modern cities are already appearing. On the territory of Greece, the leaders begin to manage small communities. There comes a new era in the processing and painting of ceramics.

The beginning of the steady development of ancient Greek culture is considered the epics of Homer, which belong to the year 776 BC. E. They were written using the alphabet, which the Hellenes borrowed from the Phoenicians. The meaning of the word translated as "dawn", in this case is justified: the beginning of the development of the culture of Ancient Greece completely coincides with the birth of European culture.

The greatest flourishing of Hellas is experienced in an era that is commonly called classical. It refers to 480-323 years BC. E. It was at this time that such philosophers lived as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles, Aristophanes. Sculptural works become more complicated. They begin to reflect the position of the human body not in static, but in dynamics. The Greeks of that time loved to do gymnastics, used cosmetic means, did hairdresses.

Literary Hellas. What is a tragedy?

Separate consideration deserves the origin of the genres of tragedy and comedy, which also falls on the classical era in the history of ancient Greece. The tragedy reaches its peak in the 5th century BC. E. The most famous tragedies of this era are represented by the works of Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides. The genre originated from the ceremonies of veneration of Dionysus, during which scenes from the life of God were played out. At first, only one actor acted in the tragedy. Thus, the birthplace of modern cinema is also Hellas. This (which is known to every historian) is yet another proof of the fact that the origins of European culture should be sought in the territory of ancient Greece.

Aeschylus entered the theater of the second actor, thus becoming the creator of dialogue and dramatic action. In Sophocles, however, the number of actors has already reached three. Tragedies revealed the conflict of man and inexorable fate. Facing the impersonal force that prevailed in nature and in society, the protagonist recognized the will of the gods and submitted to it. The Greeks believed that the main goal of the tragedy was catharsis, or purification, which occurs in the audience when empathized with its heroes.