Vangelis Kotselas, Social Media Manager
Beginning with the definition of Greek Culture, Greek culture encompasses the language and customs, as well as literature and art, religion, and other aspects that make up what we know today as Greek way of life. Being the official language of Greece and Cyprus, Greek language is one of the most important aspects of Greek culture.
Modern Greeks often allude to their ancestors. The culture of ancient Greece is still alive and kicking, centuries later. Their language and literature are still used to teach and express fundamental ideals. The writings of Plato and Aristotle (among many others) are the foundation for much of Western thought, while their art remains an inspiration for modern artists.
Let’s discover some interesting facts about Greek Culture:
- Greeks Value Education & Hard Work
The Greeks value education and hard work.
Education is important to Greeks because it is considered as a practical measure of success and a way to escape poverty. The Greeks want their children to live a better life than they did by getting a good education. In order for them to do this, they make great sacrifices to offer their children quality education. It is not just for themselves but for their children as well that the Greeks value education.
Hard work matters to Greeks because it’s seen as one of the best ways to escape poverty as well as a measure of success in general.
- Greeks are Family-Oriented
- Greek Women are Fierce & Influential
We will talk about Greek women by analyzing a mythical incarnation – the famous Greek goddess, Athena. She is the Goddess of Wisdom, War, and Justice. She was born out of her father Zeus’s head fully grown and armed.
Athena is a prominent figure in ancient Greece because she was not just a figment of their imagination but she represented strength and wisdom in both men and women.
She is also associated with the olive tree that provides fruit for both Greeks and Euros alike.
Athena has been depicted in many different ways throughout history including sculptures, paintings, pottery, jewelry, coins etc.
Athena’s name derives from “Athene” which translates to “Pallas.” Later on Pallas was changed to Parthenos which means virgin.
- The Greek Diet is Rich in Olive Oil
The Greek Diet is a diet popularized by the late Dr. Kharrazian, a medical doctor and author of the book The Root Cause of Illness.
In this diet, people eat foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats such as olive oil, avocados, nuts, fish, and seeds. The goal of Kharrazian’s diet is to lower inflammation in the body from high levels of Omega-6 fatty acids found in red meat and dairy products.
People who follow this diet have reported feeling better after a few weeks while others have said they feel worse after eating it for 5 weeks or more.
- Greek Philosophy and Maths
Basic mathematic and philosophical principles come from the ancient Greeks. Nevertheless, they had different thoughts and reflections on both subjects. For example, Plato thought that math was an abstract concept, whereas Aristotle regarded mathematics was a way of looking at the physical world.
- Ancient Greece has a Rich tradition of Democracy
The ancient Greeks were the first to create a democracy. The word “democracy” comes from two Greek words that mean people (demos) and rule (kratos).
The first known democracy in the world was in Athens. Athenian democracy developed around the fifth century B.C.E. The Greek idea of democracy was different from present-day democracy because, in Athens, all adult citizens were required to take an active part in the government. To vote, citizens had to attend the assembly on the day the vote took place. This form of government is called direct democracy.
In representative democracy, citizens vote for representatives who create and change laws that govern the people rather than getting to vote directly on the laws themselves.
In conclusion, we could argue that the Greek legacy is eternal and inspiring. Greeks faced many tragedies but managed to rise back from them. This is because of the force of their culture and their deep-rooted system of values.
The history of ancient Greece teaches us so much about social life, politics, and human existence, and constitutes a useful lens for our present and future.
