What lessons learned from Ancient Greece apply to modern society and civilizations?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

There are a couple different key lessons that can be taken from the Greeks. One is the bravery showed by Spartans in battle. They are fearless and determined to fight and win every battle. While we the United States don't necessarily need to get involved in every war or battle fought, when we do enter one we should go at it 120% and see it all the way through with wisdom, deteremination, and bravery. Another lesson to be taken from the Greeks is the way that they would kill each other, backstab each other to get ahead. This unfortunately still exists in today's world and especially in the United States where everyone is out for themselves to get ahead and make the big bucks without caring about who they are hurting or the consequences of their actions. The United States as a whole should take a look at Ancient Greece and see how the destruction from within was the cause of the end of the powerful Greek nations and that if we aren't careful, we could head down that road of self-destruction.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

This answer was selected with the help of Yahoo! Answers editors

Answer 2

We can learn to appreciate culture and art and spend time developing and taking care of architecture.

Ancient civilizations were so good at making sure their legacy get preserved, so we can still enjoy their buildings, paintings and sculptures.

We need to make sure our children have something left, too.

My point: learn to preserve, not destroy.

Answer 3

One big factor that contributed to the decline and fall of Greece was the constant conflict and fighting between the city states. The big lesson: a house divided against itself cannot stand.

Answer 4

Homosexuality, hypocrisies, arrogance, ...

Answer 5

even though it happened thousands of years ago, group sex is as popular today as it was in ancient greece {:

Answer 6

pride comes before the fall.

Answer 7

The advantages of training, equipment and good use of terrain to maximize an army's potential, as well as a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds.

Answer 8

Democracy

Answer 9

Applicable to contemporary film-makers is the lesson that the Spartans probably did not fight nekkid.

Answer 10

In fact I feel that the influence on Western society of ancient Greece is over stated. The Greek democracy, often hailed as their greatest achievement, was little more then an Oligarchy with rule by the very upper echelon of society. The better, and often ignored, parent of our modern way of life is that of the Norse. Who's spirit of exploration, inventiveness and trade are the very foundations of our society. Furthermore many norse societies had their own form of democracy, for example the Althing in Iceland where everyone on the island would gather to vote on issues and discuss happenings. Further Iceland is one of the only western countries to never have had a womens suffrage movement as women have always had the vote there, something the greeks believed entirely out of the question.

Answer 11

we can learn more philosophy or learn to develop a more intellectual attitude in handling certain situations. One thing we must grasp in thier spartan fighting spirit.

Answer 12

The lessons we can learn are that democracies are generally shortlived (because the people end up trading their freedoms away for government services or promises). We can also learn that to lay down your arms is to put your fate into the hands of government. We can learn that history will remember the few who stand up and fight for their freedom long after history forgets those who chose the path of serfdom.

Answer 13

we should all use condoms.. and be nice to women.

Answer 14

Democracy, philosophy, and value for the arts.

However, it's important to point out that much can be learned from Persian civilization as well. The rule of Cyrus the Great, for example, was very democratic and many even believe that western democracy was profoundly influenced by his leadership.

I don't like how "300" vilifies and demonizes the Persians, especially considering how beautiful and Romantic their art is. Look up Mahmoud Farschian or visit www.qoqnoos.com and you'll see the True Beauty of Persian culture. Almost 90% of the paintings I post on my blog are Persian Paintings. The filmmakers of "300" even had to get a Persian singer, Azam Ali, to perform the vocals on the soundtrack of the film. Azam Ali is best known in the New Age/Alternative World scene as the lead singer and composer for her band "Vas," and the Islamic mystical album "Niyaz". It's interesting how the movie has a Persian vocalist perform the music for the Spartans.

We all know great thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, but what about the great Persian thinkers like Jalaluddin Rumi, Hafez, and Hamid al-Ghazzali. It's important to not generalize about Persians after watching this movie, especially when we're living in a time when there is a lot of fear and hostility towards those of Muslim and Middle-Eastern descent.

Answer 15

We should all have beliefs or ideals that we live for tenaciously and if need be are willing to die for with the same tenaciousness.

Answer 16

Obey the laws, defend your freedom, your country, your family and your ancestor's grave with maximum cost. Numbers never count when courage is on your side.

Source(s):

no source

Answer 17

We are inspired to never give up on any kind of fight...if it comes to war...if we were ever invaded or at least threathen with war from another world power...I think we should fight to protect ourselves and our loved ones to the death...but also, greece inspires us to never let our weaknesses take over us, we can be strong and invincible if we only put the effort, if we are weak, there is still plenty of power within us, thoug sometimes we think there isn't. Like will power to put up a good fight 'till the end, and all the more so if we appreciate our lives. In family matters, we should fight for our family no matter what it takes, specially our wives and children, we should not let bad influences take our loved one's respect and dignity, we should never surrender to criticism and oppression from others who think they are more than us, we are all humans and have the same rights, we sacrifice everything to protect our family, even in life and death situations. Bring it on if you will! If we sacrifice everything for that, we won't go down without a fight!

Source(s):

Meditation

Answer 18

In the case of 300, even a small number of people who stand up or their country and their principals can make a difference. And think how history may have changed if they had not. We may not have had a Greece to learn from. Medicine, Engineering, Law, Government.

Answer 19

Oi, vei! I wish I hadn't attacked those stupid spartans. Knowing now what I knew then, I'd go a different way. Or beat them to the choke point. Or wait 2000 years for the invention of a gun.


...stupid spartans.

Answer 20

Important lessons that stress the need for unity and the will to live. It shows us how important it is to stick together and how the fall is inevitable if we stand seperated from one another. A civilization is as good as dead if there is no unity or respect amongst it's own people that inhabit it.

We must fight to preserve our history for the good, not the bad.

Answer 21

Take responsibility for the consequences of your actions, even if they are not what you intended. This concept is demonstrated many times in Greek literature; an example is Oedipus Rex, who unintentionally fufills the prophecy of marrying his mother and killing his father. He blinds himself and casts himself into exile. This is an extreme action, but the theme of personal responsibilty in Greek literature is very heavy; it forces us to think forward about the repercussions of our decisions and own the results of those actions.

The Spartans at Thermopylae knew the consequences of their actions- death. They were willing to sacrifice themselves to ensure that the city-states of Greece had enough time to rally against the Persians. Once it was heard the Spartans had died defending Greece, the inspired city-states banded together and eventually defeated Xerxes. During Thermopylae, King Leonidas was offered the kingship of all Greece if he would surrender his arms. He said he would rather die with his brothers than rule over them. The conviction seen in the Spartan military and personal actions is so admirable and honorable that their story has survived for 2500 years.

What lessons learned from Ancient Greece can we apply to ourselves today? All of what we consider the best qualities of a human being are reflected in these ancient actions: honor, courage, sacrifice for a greater good, defense of home and family, responsibilty to yourself and others, discipline and fraternity, and a willingness to die to preserve and engender these qualities for others.

Answer 22

quote:"
What lessons learned from Ancient Greece apply to modern society and civilizations?"

i think nobody already answered this question...even considered thinking about it......and understand it..and the question itself...can be put this way....maybe...:"What do we know ancient greece...did...but we...and all modern civilizations today...are NOT DOING,BUT CAN.......?"...my simple answer would be...well...we know more or less ressonably enough (not everything)...and what can be applied (used) today...almost everything....and what are we using...mostly...the easiest things to apply....but not always the good ones.....and 1 thing we knew about them....(not refering to the movie)....is LOGIC....as for the use in present....hmmm...at least lacking............................

Answer 23

The Greek civilization has been revered for centuries for its provocation of thought, deep insight into the mysteries of life, exploration of art, philosophy, military tactics, sexual promiscuity, and the world around them. Their exploration into sciences, philosophy and art are what have separated them from other civilizations that were obsessed with religion, war, and commerce. They were great fighters but only out of necessity.

Answer 24

Never give up, never wait until other's take action. If you have a dream, it is up to you to pursue it and turn it into reality.
Also, there are no limits to our potential.

Answer 25

While disparate peoples can be unified in the face of an external threat and inspired by bravery and sacrifice, such a confederation is in danger of falling apart (or, more significantly, becoming transformed) once the immediate threat is removed. Then, beware.

The hard-won unity that defeated the Persians, due in part to the heroic and inspiring warfare of the Spartans, soon collapses as Sparta goes its own way and Athens begins to take control of the other city-states through the Delian League. This estrangement soon leads to the Peloponnesian War between these two rival powers, and much built that had been beautiful was destroyed.

As for modern analogues, the United Nations comes to mind. Its purpose is for the world to be "united", but without a clear foe, "unity" devolves into disparate identities, ideas, and interests, all of which compete. Rather, somewhat like Athens, it keeps on building monuments to itself, although its monuments seem neither so grand nor as longlasting. The question then becomes, who will play Sparta to the Delian's Athens or Rome to the waning Greek hegemony?

Answer 26

Nothing, and I reported Frank Miller for abuse

Answer 27

Gay men can kick serious *** in the military.

Answer 28

We can learn that friendship and philosophical discussion is more entertainment than elaborate, expensive and mindless spectacles of violence. Mr. Miller.

Answer 29

Hubris - That's in abundance today.

Democracy. Democritus.

Sacrafice as ritual and act of Man.

Theatre.

Logic.

Answer 30

The political structure that we abide by in todays modern society was out in place by the ancient Greeks. as well as modern archietecture is a derivitive of ancient greek society.

Source(s):

my brain, and if im wrong thats really ok!!

Answer 31

I think we have learnt that We have to stand and fight always, and never give up. That is what a spartan would do.