1. Ancient Greek philosophy - the birthplace of Western philosophy
Ancient Greek philosophy is generally believed to originate from Thales in the sixth century BC. He advocated that water is the essence of all things. Therefore, he is known as the "Father of Philosophy"[1]. As a representative figure in the period of natural philosophy, he raised the issue of the origin of the world and explained the generation of the world. He was one of the earliest materialist philosophers in the West and shifted the research object of philosophy from pure spirit and religion to the interpretation of nature. His philosophical thoughts had a long-term impact on subsequent Western philosophy and became the direction of discussion for Western philosophical schools such as materialism and idealism in the following centuries.
By the middle of the fifth century BC, Athens had achieved developed democracy and became the economic, political and cultural center of the ancient Greek world. It was also the climax of democratic thought, when an ideological revolution occurred in Greece, and philosophy Scientists gave up the study of the natural universe, this is the "school of debate" [2]. Socrates' "ethical philosophy" thought made philosophy as a unified discipline enter the period of humanism and systematic philosophy, making philosophy "return from heaven to earth." Protagoras put forward the famous proposition that "man is the measure of all things", which provided a theoretical basis for the democracy at that time, and also provided an ideological source for later modern Western democratic thoughts. Plato formed a system of metaphysics and ethics, and his natural philosophy regarding his political and theological insights maintained a huge influence on later philosophers and Christian theology.
Classical Greek philosophy played an enlightening role in various later Western materialism, idealism, dialectics and metaphysics.
It also played an important role in early Western Christian theology, Muslim philosophy, The influence of the Enlightenment, the Renaissance and even the establishment and development of modern general science has never ceased, and has laid the foundation for human understanding of nature, society and thinking.
2. Ancient Greek Literature - the first peak of Western literature
Like ancient Greek philosophy, ancient Greek literature contains imagination and thinking about the universe, nature and human beings , including myths, epics and dramas, as well as fables, lyric poetry and literary theory.
Ancient Greek mythology and "Homer's Epic" provide rich nutrients and sources for the entire Western literature and even world literature, and provide future generations with research in history, geography, archaeology and folklore. For reference, "Homer's Epic" is considered the greatest ancient epic and has become a milestone in Western classical literature.
The center of ancient Greek drama, Athens was one of the earliest dramatic forms of tragedy and comedy. The theaters and plays of ancient Greece have had a lasting and far-reaching influence on the development of Western drama and culture.
"Aesop's Fables" is the world's earliest collection of fables. At the same time, "Aesop's Fables" is one of the most widely circulated fables in the history of world literature.
Alcaeus and Sappho are believed by later commentators to have brought ancient Greek lyric poetry to its peak. Anacreon's solo lute songs had a profound influence on European poetry after the 16th century. Pindar's choral qin songs had a great influence on later generations, and his style was imitated by Milton, Goethe and others.
In ancient Greek literature, through people’s thinking and exploration of the world and their reflection and longing for real life, it reflects people’s thinking about war and peace, and the relationship between man and nature. His literary works laid the foundation for the development of Western literature as a whole, enriched the materials of Western literature, and created the first peak of Western literature.
3. Ancient Greek Historiography—The Source of Western Historiography
The book "History" written by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus is the first book written by the ancient Greeks. This comprehensive and systematic historical work has become the pioneering work of Western historiography. The form of historical narrative centered on historical facts founded by Herodotus laid the foundation for later historical narratives. It is still regarded as authentic by the West and has become a universal genre for compiling history.
Thucydides' "History of the Peloponnesian War" created a mature "example" through detailed description and careful records based on a rational critical attitude and real personal experience. He is regarded as the first historian to use scientific methods, because his purpose of writing history is to objectively and neutrally report historical facts [3]. It set a shining example for future generations of historians.
4. Ancient Greek art - the starting point for the study of Western art
The outstanding feature of ancient Greek art is its emphasis on realism. The autonomy of humans and gods in ancient Greek mythology makes ancient Greek art full of interest in the shaping of the human body [4]. Ancient Greek art forms such as pottery vase paintings, temple architecture, columns, sculptures, and paintings influenced the surrounding areas through trade activities, cultural exchanges, etc. After the establishment of the Alexander Empire, ancient Greek art spread even further, and painting methods, architecture The style and sculpture techniques have been imitated and absorbed by Western art. They have a profound impact on Western realism style and are regarded as the main source of Western art.
5. Ancient Greek religion - the enlightener of Western democratic thought
Ancient Greek religion is inseparable from ancient Greek mythology, with polytheistic worship, the same sex between humans and gods, frequent activities, and democracy. political characteristics.
Ancient Greek religion was not bound by a unified classic doctrine, and there was no church organization or clergy control box. The secular nature of this religion gave people a considerable degree of ideological freedom and political rights, promoted the germination of rationalism, and laid the foundation for the birth of the West. The democratic revolution provided ideological and theoretical preparation.
6. Ancient Greek Science—The Birthplace of Modern Western Science
Ptolemy’s geocentric theory became the source of Copernicus’ thoughts, and his theory dominated the European astronomy community for more than 1,400 years; The research on geometry by Gelide and Thales and Archimedes' principle of specific gravity and lever principle had a significant impact on later scientists such as Galileo, Newton, and Einstein. It is now used; Aristotle's research on biology Classification had a great influence on Darwin's theory of evolution and biological research. Hippocrates distinguished medicine from witchcraft and superstition, believing that illness must have its cause. He made a lot of contributions to the development of medicine in ancient Greece. Therefore, many people today call him the "Father of Medicine" [5]. His "Four Liquids Theory" and the medical ethics he proposed have always influenced the concept of Western medicine today.
In science, the basic research of ancient Greek science played a foundational role in the start and development of Western science, created brilliant scientific and technological achievements, and left behind precious results and wealth.
Summary
The cultural achievements of ancient Greece in the process of its civilization are the foundation of modern Western culture, laying the foundation for the development of Western countries and people in philosophy, literature, history, art, religion, It was the foundation of various fields such as science, and gave birth to the Renaissance in the 15th century and the Enlightenment movement in the 18th and 19th centuries. It became the germ of modern Western democratic and liberal thoughts and modern science. It has had a profound impact on the development of Western culture and even modern times.