Impact of Ancient Greece and Rome on the Modern World

Ancient Greece and Rome How have these civilizations impacted the modern world?

People Who Valued the Classics “…it may truly be said that the classical languages are a solid basis for most, and an ornament to all the sciences.” -Thomas Jefferson “As late as the seventeenth century, the savants and artists of all Europe were so closely united by the bond of a common ideal that cooperation between them was scarcely affected by political events. This unity was further strengthened by the general use of the Latin language.” -Albert Einstein

Classics and Art History The Renaissance: this term for the cultural movement of the 14th to 17th centuries literally means “rebirth.” That is because the Renaissance period saw a rebirth of Greco-Roman ideas and aesthetics, inspiring Leonardo de Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Petrarch, Erasmus, Galileo, et al. Artist: Sandro Botticelli Year: c. 1486 Type: tempera on canvas Dimensions: 172.5 cm × 278.5 cm (67.9 in × 109.6 in) Location: Uffizi, Florence

Classics and Architecture Washington, D.C. was designed to impress foreign heads of state, by looking like ancient Rome at the height of its empire. The Harvard Coliseum in Cambridge, Mass.

Classics and Literature • Shakespeare used his knowledge of classical literature and history to write numerous plays • Julius Caesar • Antony and Cleopatra • Romeo and Juliet Similarly, modern authors such as J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan were inspired by ancient mythology and literature to pen the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series of books

Classics and Politics That is why the United States is not a democracy, but a democratic republic

Classics and Law • Habeas corpus • Pro bono • Bona fide • Affidavit • Subpoena • Ad hoc • In loco parentis • Mutatis mutandis • Non compos mentis • Prima facie • Many legal terms still used today are in Latin (Law schools appreciate students who are familiar with Latin)

Classics and Medicine • Orbicularis oculi – muscle that closes the eyelids • Orbicularis oris – muscle around the mouth • Tibia – shinbone connecting the knee and ankle bones • Fibula – calf bone connected to the tibia • Hebdomada (Hebdom.) – medical note meaning “For a week” • Linfricandus – medical note meaning “To be rubbed in” • Mane et vespere (M. et. v.) – medical note meaning “Morning and evening” Human anatomy and medical abbreviations are described via Latin terminology (Medical schools appreciate students who are familiar with Latin)

Classics and Math/Science Pythagoras and Euclid were ancient Greek mathematicians, whose theories and writings quickly became the foundation of mathematics for two thousand years The basic scientific principle that “matter can neither be created nor destroyed” was discovered by ancient Greek scientist-philosophers

Classics and Philosophy

Impact of Ancient Greece and Rome on the Modern World