Ancient Greek Culture

Middle Ages define their cultures, beliefs and reasons within the constructs of power, community, and religion. The transition in the beliefs of polytheistic gods to a spiritual connection to one Divinity created the foundations of society and government during these eras. The reemergence of Greek Civilization between 100-750 B.C.E. introduced the writings of Homer. Influenced by Near Eastern mythology and fables that embedded teachings used to educate the masses on social behaviors and morality, Homer expressed the Greek social value of arête (excellence) through his oral lyricism (a vital characteristic that bonded Greek cultural traditions). His epic tales of the Iliad and the Odyssey encompass the cultural relevancies in literature, human emotion, and the honor and glory that immortalized its heroes. The fictional tales of warring conflict between Mycenean Greeks and the cities of Asia Minor depicted the beliefs and values of Greek culture. Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are fictional accounts of a time and place (Troy), and
The Islamic influence patterned the beginnings of successful empires through unification in language, community, and religion. Prophet Muhammad’s unifying principal of One God and in what is now know as the Five Pillars of Islam: Shahada (profession of faith), zakat (tithing), fasting (Ramadan), salat (prayer), and hajj (pilgrimage to the holy land of Mecca), consolidated Arab nomadic tribes and welcomed Jewish and Christian followers into Islamic faith. Islamic forces brought unification to a weakened Eastern Roman Empire, and Christians and Jews welcomed this transition as they integrated into the new Islamic Empire free to practice in their respective faiths under the Pact of Umar. Similar to previous cultural and religious traditions, Islam retained the patriarchal continuum for cultural