GRECO-ROMAN INFLUENCE

Greco-Roman Influence

Greco-Roman Influence

Introduction

The Mediterranean civilization of the past has developed thanks to the exchanges on the cultural, social and political. The history of ancient Greece and ancient Rome offers numerous examples of cultural flows as well as commercial. The increase in transport and communications Hellenic era favored migratory movements and allowed a high territorial mobility, connecting distant communities, encouraged the circulation of ideas and discoveries among the cultural communities (Oleson, 2009). The continuous contacts between the companies of the area produced a high socio-cultural interpenetration.

Discussion

Whenever there is a discussion of the Mediterranean society under the Greeks and Romans, the biggest difference which is noticeable, is the difference between their ways of governance. Romans followed the republican system, and in Roman legal system, they had this rule that the defendant remains innocent until he is proven otherwise. In Roman law, the defendant had this right of challenge the accuser, in the court of law, or in front of the judge. On the other hand, Greece had a democratic system (Goitein, 2000). Even though they governed, in two very different ways it did not stop them from progressing into great kingdoms and Empires.

Although, the Greeks and Romans of the Mediterranean society had these differences it did not mean that they had nothing that would be similar. One of those similarities was their Gods, they were the same Gods but under different names. For example under Greek Gods, Zeus was the King of the Gods. The very same God under the Roman Gods was Jupiter which was also defined as the King of the Gods. The other thing they have in common is that they have a rich and fruitful amount of history, stories, and poems recorded through teaching passed down through generations. Some of these were written recordings such as Greece's Iliad which gives a perspective on the battle and warriors that fought in the famous story of Troy.

Another thing that Greek and Roman society had in common was slavery. For the Greeks slavery was a prominent means of mobilizing their labors. Slaves came from many different places. Some entered slavery to pay off their debts. Many others were captured soldiers of war. A large amount came from people who Greece traded with: slave markets at Black Sea ports sold semi nomadic Scythians captured in Russia, and Egyptians provided African slaves. Romans also did their trading from the Black Sea which included ...