ancient greeks v ancient romans

The Ancient Greeks and Their Impact on Ancient Rome
Through epic poems, plays, literature, religion, philosophy and politics there is clear evidence of the ancient Grecian’s influence on the ancient Roman culture. Though there are differences to be noted in their way of life ancient Rome adopted many of its key ways of life from their Greek predecessors. It is safe to say that the ancient Greek culture had a profound impact on the development of the ancient Roman’s culture more than any other previous society.
Religion is a common thread you see throughout the works of writers, artists, and philosophers throughout this ancient world of the Greeks and Romans. In the epic poetry of Homer we see the divine intervention of Gods in human affairs. The ancient Greek gods not only squabbled with the people but also amongst themselves. The Gods also displayed very human characteristics or jealously and choosing favorites. In Homer’s the Iliad, Apollo the son of Zeus having been angered by the capture of Chryses daughter was infuriated by the Greeks thus favoring the Trojans in war, intervening, and reaping havoc. “He settled down some way from the ships and shot an arrow, with a terrifying twang from his silver bow… day and night, packed funeral pyres burned” (RAEH 29). Just as the ancient Greek gods the ancient Roman gods determined the destiny of mortals.
The ancient Roman gods did not share the same names as that of their Greek predecessors but their purposes were similar. Virgil’s Aeneid is very similar to Homer’s Iliad in that you can see how Jupiter, who is the same God as Zeus, upholds the destiny of the Roman’s and either their success or failure. The Goddess Venus displayed similar characteristics of Apollo by intervening in Aeneas’ affairs because of her dislike of Dido and the people of Carthage. Venus determines the fate of Aeneas and Dido’s relationship. “Venus meanwhile was turning over schemes in her mind and devising new plans” (RAEH 119). The idea that Gods hold the destiny of men, can and will intervene in human affairs flourished and was the basis of Greek culture and clearly transferred into the ancient Romans way of life. The variances between the Gods to be noted are the Grecian gods and the ancient Greek people themselves were both equally as important, where the ancient Roman god’s deeds were more praised as there was more emphasis and importance on the afterlife.
When one thinks of epic poetry the first and great work comes to mind, The Odyssey written by the ancient Greek bard Homer. The idea of a hero fighting for the things he cares about the most, typically love and land had its grand debut with Homers Odyssey. It is also important to mention that epic poetry and its’ heroes represented and displayed the core values of the writers culture. “And in Homer we can begin to see the characteristic Greek interest in balance, order, harmony, and proportion” (EH 44). Hospitality, emotion, and celebration of wealth, beauty and bravery were all very important to the ancient Greeks. The importance of a Greek man’s worldly glory is very evident in this statement from Odysseus in the Odyssey Book 9. “I am Odysseus, Laertes’ son. The whole world talks of my stratagems, and my fame has reached the heavens.” (RAEH 37).
Ancient Greeks in particular Homer had a profound effect on the style and writing of his Roman counter-part Virgil. “The works of Virgil were inspire by Greek literary forms—idylls, didactic poems, and epics—yet his use of native themes and his focus on the best traits in the Roman people give an authentic Roman voice to his work” (EH 114). Just as Odysseus wanted to please his Greek gods so did Aeneas, not to show off but because it was his duty. After the Cyclops was defeated you can see he and his men are victoriously celebrating. “When this rite was at last performed and his duty to the goddess was done, they entered the land of joy, the lovely glades of the fortunate woods and the home of the blest” (RAEH 124). This sounds as if they were instantly received into the heavens. This would be very important to Romans as they believed there good deeds on earth were more important to one day be with their gods in heaven. Both Homer and Virgil had a huge voice and power through their literary works in each of their societies. There are a few key differences in the themes that run through each epic poem. Odysseus deals more with disguises, seductresses, and his personal glory while Aeneas is faced with his fate and the glory of Rome. This is a direct correlation between the two cultures different values and what was more important for each one.
Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy particularly the idea of the human soul and afterlife is still examined and interpreted to this day. The thoughts of these ancient philosophers have stood the test of time and the same existential questions are trying to be answered. In Plato’s dialogue Phaedo he is describing the execution and final moments of Socrates. There is no better time to announce your notions on the meaning of life and life after death than this. It seems that Socrates believes that he is about to leave his human body, which has been limited in obtaining all the wisdom the earth has to offer, for an all knowing spirit world. “For it is impossible in company with the body to know anything purely, one thing of two follows: either knowledge is possible nowhere or only after death, for then alone the soul will be quite by itself apart from the body, but not before” (RAEH 86). The Roman philosopher Cicero in his Dream of Scipio adopted from the Greek thought of the soul and afterlife. “It is destined that you, Plublius, and all other righteous men, shall suffer your souls to stay in the custody of your body” (RAEH 111). Both Plato and Cicero are sharing the same idea that our soul is trapped in our bodies until we die. Then and only then (from the release of the world and all its distractions) may we enter heaven and understand the universe and all its wisdom.
The philosophical idea of Stoicism was introduced by the ancient Greeks but flourished and adapted even more with the ancient Romans. Although its beginnings are Grecian the ideas of stoicism, to not boast and to carry out your responsibilities as an individual is quite Roman. In book one of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations he makes note of ideas from his instructors. “Discretion and moderation alike in the provision of shows, in of carrying out public works, in donations to the populace, and so on; the behavior in fact of one who has an eye precisely to what it is his duty to do, not to the reputation which attends the doing” (RAEH 147). Marcus Aurelius and other Romans from his class were very interested in the Stoic point of view as it was based on a practical way of life. Stoicism seems to be the bridge in the gap between the ancient Romans and ancient Greeks and what they value the most.
The Hellenistic world brought about a way of political thinking, which would for a while, hold strong and continue its reach to the Roman Empire. There were struggles amongst the ancient Greeks. They were divided mostly into city-states however, the Athenians had an imperialist view of themselves and civil war broke. These events are documented in Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War. There is a statement which is quite similar to the thinking of the Romans that the Athenian general says. “We regard wealth as something to be properly used, rather than something to boast about…Here each individual is interested not only in his own affairs but in the affairs of the state as well” (RAEH 76). This was just an Athenian point of view and not that of most the city states in Greece who at the time were self-governing. The Roman Empire goes hand in hand with its ethos and ways of living. Much like the Athenians the Romans adopted a natural order or stoic view on life and politics. “Duty, discipline, and sacrifice characterized the ideal Roman” (EH 110). The Pax Romana, or Roman Peace, was also identified as a time of military stability, peace, and good order of the people united as one. Much like every culture, the ancient Romans adopted that of their close neighbors and predecessors. In spite of the noted differences throughout the two ancient cultures there is still a common thread shot through the core of each culture that began weaving its way since the creation of ancient Greece and then through the rise of Rome. The Romans adopted, adapted, and turned those Grecian ideas into their own unique religion, political views, and literary works.