If you want to feel the Roman civilization, land first at Athens and then Rome. In fact, Greek civilization was the earliest advanced and distinct civilization of the European continent. After the Romans captured Greece, a lot they adopted from Greece from all walks of life: art, architecture, governance, philosophy, construction, warfare, shipbuilding, medicine, religion, and even gods. So I thought to understand Roman civilization better first, let me discover their mother Greece.
My aim here is to write about the head and tail of concepts of Greek civilization and how it propelled the Dark, Archaic, and Classical ages. I am not discussing here about their lives and wars, which you can study anywhere.
| Before we go, we need to remember that contemporary to Minoan and Mycenae there were other civilizations—Chinese, Egyptian, Indus, Mesopotamian. Sometimes we forget this fact while study. |
Minoan civilization existed in Crete Island, South of Greece. They date back to 3000-1100 BC, leaving behind massive building complexes, tools,
stunning artwork, writing systems (language Linear A), and a massive network of trade. After their downfall due to a series of natural disasters, volcano eruptions, and earthquakes, the Greek Mycenae civilization took over.
The discoverer of Minoan civilization was Arthur Evans. He named it Minoan after Minos, the legendary king of the island. This civilization was characterised by the dominance of great palaces : Knosses, Phaistos, Mallia, and Kato Zakro have been excavated.
Mycenaean culture flourished on the Greek mainland in 1600 to 1100 BC. The name derives from the site of Mycenae, where the culture was first recognized. This civilization is the first mother of Greek civilization, as after the fall of Minoan, the remaining population moved to Greece. They abandoned palatial buildings and moved to form small societies and villages. The Mycenae Greeks introduced several innovations in the fields of engineering, architecture, and military infrastructure, while trade over vast areas of the Mediterranean was essential for the Mycenae economy. They developed language Linear B. The City of Athens developed by Mycenae as a major center of power in Greece in 1300 BC.
When the Dark Age started and the Mycenaean Greeks were leaving their habitat, they could not preserve the language Linear B, and hence illiteracy was rampant. Due to this, no records are available about this period, and so it is called the Dark Age (name debatable). Towards the end of the Dark Age, Greeks developed the Phoenician language (sound to alphabet).
- Minoan Civilization – Language Linear A, Mycenae Civilization – Language Linear B, Dark Age, Language Phoenician Language
With the language, there was a revival of trade and economic activity. In addition, iron was introduced. The end of the Dark Ages coincided with the writing of one of literature’s first epics, Homer’s Iliad. Olympic games started in dark age in 776 BC.
As the Dark Age laid the groundwork for advanced civilization, the cities developed all over Greece. In this phase, by the end of the Archaic age, the mighty city of Sparta was born. They had different culture and ruling than Athens. They were more warriors and more concentrated on war and warfare.
The difference between Greek, Persian, and Roman civilizations is that Greek civilization was more city-centric, and these cities were almost like distinct from each other. While Roman civilization was single city centric—Rome. Persia was state-centric.
Archaic Age is transition between Dark age and classical age. It marks the rise of villages into cities and the awakening of heroism in citizens by epics like “Illiad” and “Odyssey”. There was increase in literacy and hence trade and wealth increased. Archaic prepared ground for the Classical Empire. Here originated the concept of “democratia”- Democracy.
Classical Age was the era of Persia and Athens-Sparta wars. A rudimentary version of democracy was implemented. It is not that Athens and Sparta were always antagonistic, as they united in the fight against Persia. In this age tyrants (elected aristocrat ruler) waned, temple of Parthenon, temple of Hephoestos, Odean consort hall, and the temple of Poseidon were built. Playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides won world fame. Historians like Herodotus, Thucydides, physician Hippocrates and Socrates were born. But these achievements could not stop the downfall of Greece.
What ever has seen rise will also see fall one day. Greece’s civilization is not an exception. Even the Classical Age could not stop the fall of Greece. There was lot of gap between poor and rich, exploitation of farmers and dissension among public. Long drought was killing the people. This caused revolt. Years of long wars with Persia, Sparta-Athens, the Greek civilization weakened, and in 338 BC King Philip-II (Father of Alexander the Great) of Macedonia conquered entire Greece. After the takeover of Greece by Alexander, the centers like Athens and Sparta declined, and the culture moved to the cities of Alexandria (Cairo), Antioch and Ephesus in Turkey. Rome continued its conquest of Greece. The Greeks were finally defeated at the Battle of Corinth in 146 BC. But life in Greece continued as before even after the Roman conquest.
The Greek Civilization Remains
It is interesting to know if any remains of Minoan, Mycenae and other medieval can still be seen in Greece. Here I jot down a few important of them.
Athens
Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel containing few old buildings. Acropolis means “highest point”. As per archaeologists, this hill was inhabited since 4000 BC. But those old remains are now to dust. Perecles (495 BC-429 BC) built the present day citadel and few buildings.
The citadel also has temple Erechtheion (421-406 BC). Some people say this is the temple of King Erechtheus mentioned in “Illiad”. In the premises of Acropolis are the Temple of Goddess Athena and God Poseidon both built by Pereclese in 420 BC. Athena is the Greek goddess of victory, and citizens used to pray here for the end of Peloponnesian war with Sparta. This temple was damaged in 1687 by Turks, as they used these stones in making bunkers. There existed a temple of Athena built by Mycenae. It was demolished by Perecles and on top of that, a new temple was built on Athena.
The Panathenaic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Athens. One of the main historic attractions of Athens. It is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble. It was built in 144 BC BC, by counsel Herodes Atticus for Olympic games. It had capacity of 50,000. It was used in 1870 and 1875 for Olympics. It is also the last venue in Greece from where the Olympic flame handover ceremony to the host nation takes place.
Theater of Herodes Atticus: The Herodeion Theater is one of the most impressive monuments of Athens and it is today hosting the Athens Festival with performances of theatre, music, and dance. The theater is open to visitors only during performances. It is located on the south slope of the Acropolis and was added in 161 AD during the Roman rule. The theater was built by Herodes Atticus, a wealthy Roman, in memory of his wife Regilla. It has exceptional acoustic capacities and can sit up to 5,000 spectators. It has a facade of 28 m high and 2.4 m wide.
Argolis
The ruins of Mycenae civilization and the two greatest cities of Mycenae and Tiryns can still be seen in located in Argolis. These two cities are 20 KM apart. Ruins date back to 1600 and 1100 BC and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture. The palatial administrative system, the monumental architecture, the impressive artifacts, and the first testimonies of Greek, preserved on Linear B tablets, are unique elements of the Mycenaean culture, a culture that inspired the great poet Homer to compose his famous epic poems.
It is said that Tiryns citadel impressive walls, built of stones even larger than those of Mycenae, are up to 8 m thick and 13 m high. They can rightly be regarded as a creation that goes beyond the human scale, as reveals the word “cyclopean”—built by Cyclops, the mythical giants from Lycia—which was attributed to them in the Homeric epics.
We can see some points in citadel, such as Lion Gate, the Treasury of Atreus and the walls of Tiryns. These two cities had profound effect on the development of classical Greek architecture and urban design, and consequently also on contemporary cultural forms. Mycenae and Tiryns are intricately linked with the Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, which profoundly influenced European literature and arts for more than three thousand years.
Naflio City
Fortress of Palamidi – It is a huge, well-maintained and probably the best castle in Greece and the finest sample of the Venetian fortifications in Greece. Built in 1714 in just 3 years time. It takes 1000 steps to reach top of fort. This has 8 famous bastians, which were named in Turkish when Ottoman Empire took over it from Venitians. Again, the Greeks overthrew and renamed the bastions in with names of Greek war heroes.
Bourtzi Castle– Built in 1473 AD. This fort is an island in sea. Venitians built this to protect the harbor and city from sea invaders. This fort also served as prison and later as Greek government office.
Fortress Akronauplia: Rising above the old part of town, the Akronafplia fortress is the oldest of Nafplio’s three castles, although it is less interesting than the other two forts. The lower sections of the walls date back to the Bronze Age. Until the arrival of the Venetians, the town was restricted to within its walls. The Turks called it Kale (meaning ‘inner castle). It was used as a Greek political prison from 1936–56.
Didyma
Didyma is near the city of Epidauris. Didyma, meaning twins, is a small village known solely for its two huge caves. Actually, these are not caves but craters of diameter of 150 and a depth of 80 meters. But it’s the smallest crater that’s most interesting, with its two tiny churches of Byzantine time.
Agios Giorgos, the upper church, has fine frescos from the 15th century, the other, Metamorfosis, consists basically of a single wall constructed in front of a sort of cave in the crater.
Epidaurus
Near Didyma caves is Epidaurus. Here is the Ancient Theatre of the Asklepieion, which is famous for its symmetry and acoustics. This theatre was constructed in the late 4th century BC to host religious ceremonial events in honor of god Asclepius, whose healing center was located a few steps away. In summer, this theatre hosts performances of ancient Greek drama.
Corinth
The Corinth Canal connects the Peloponnese to the rest of Greece. It was conceived by the tyrant Periander in the sixth century BC, to link the Ionian and Aegean Seas.
Ancient Corinth is an important archaeological site, that has revealed many great finds. Once one of the most powerful cities of the classical world, it came under Roman rule in 146 BC.
The Temple of Apollo is the most important monument in Ancient Corinth, The imposing Doric Temple of Apollo lies on a low hill and dominates the site.
Acrocorinth Fortress is just over 3 KM from ancient Corinth.
Visit Nemea ancient site, which has temple of Zeus, Olympic stadium remains, Olympic entrance gate and gym, etc.
Crete
Crete is biggest island of Greece. It was the land of Minoan civilization. We can find here remnants of first civilization of Europe, explore glorious beaches, impressive mountains, fertile valleys and steep gorges.
Knosses
This is one of major attractions in Crete Island.Knossos palace belong to Minoan age and is considered Europe’s oldest city. Knossos was once a ceremonial and political hub of Minoan civilization and culture. The palace featured over 1200 rooms. Now I am not sure how much is still intact. An earthquake destroyed the first palace – built sometime around 2000–1700 BC. It was destroyed in 1450 BC, possibly by the volcano eruption.
Knossos was inhabited for several thousand years since 7000 BC, and was abandoned after its destruction in 1375 BC, which marked the end of Minoan civilization. Must see is Heraklion Museum in Crete.
Epilogue
The Greek Civilization was born of Mycenaean civilization, which was second earliest civilization in Europe region. The Greek gave the civilization a Phoenician language (sound to alphabet). They are the base of Science, Philosophy, literature, art, warfare, shipbuilding, the slavery system and the concept of “Rule by public,” which they called demokratia. ‘Illiad’ and ‘Odyssey’ were written in this age and are in top 10 epics of world, including Ramayana of Tulasidas. Romans spread this civilization all over Europe. Even the Gods and goddesses of Romans were adopted by Romans but with different names. After Christianity spread in 5th century, these gods were limited up to Greece.
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