Points Discussed
Greeks and Romans are citizens of the two most celebrated ancient cultures in Western culture. While both made considerable strides in politics, literature, art and social organizations, their ways of life and political organizations varied significantly. While the Greeks’ artistic accomplishments outweighed those of the Romans, Rome had more success creating a unified empire. Differences in language, culture and currency have persisted to modern times.
| Parameters of Comparison | Romans | Greeks |
| Timeline | Thrived from 753 BC to 1453 | Existed from 7000 BC (Neolithic Greece) to 146 BC |
| Art | Imitated the art of Greeks, but used a more naturalistic approach portraying physical quirks and nuances in expressions of ordinary people | Sculptures of statesmen and generals were physically idealized, like those of Gods |
| Language | The Romans spoke in Latin. | The language spoken in Greece was Greek. |
| Architecture | Architects focused on actual building design and techniques. Romans used some Greek materials but introduced Concrete. | Architects created statuesque figures in buildings using plaster, wood, marbles, and metals. |
| Religion | The Romans imitated the Greek religion but gave the Gods Latin names. (Zeus became Jupiter, Hades became Pluto, Poseidon became Neptune) | The Greeks believed in Pagan God’s – Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, etc. |
| Political Setup | Fluctuated between a democratic set up with a ruler and Monarchy. | Democracy, as people were independent in nature. |
| Nature of People | Intellectuals obsessed with ideals of truth, justice, mathematical theorems, epistemology, philosophy, etc. | Thinkers, philosophers, theologians, authors, poets, political ideologists, political thinkers |
| Life After Death | Believed that leading an ideal, model life would make then Gods in the afterlife. | Believed that on death, they will begin a journey to the underworld. |
| Women | In Rome, when ruled by kings, and then under the Republic, women were not property, but they had no rights. During the Empire, Roman women had quite a few rights, but were still not citizens. | In Ancient Greece women had no rights. They were property |
| Language | Latin | Greek |
- What were the 4 countries that bordered Greek empire?
- Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria; to the east by Turkey
- Three main types of pillar designs started by Greeks.
- The Doric
- The Ionic
- The Corinthian
- Who was the rulers for golden period?
- Pericles
- The “golden age” of Greece lasted for little more than a century but it laid the foundations of western civilization. The age began with the unlikely defeat of a vast Persian army by badly outnumbered Greeks, and it ended with an inglorious and lengthy war between Athens and Sparta. This era is also referred to as the “Age of Pericles” after the Athenian statesman who directed the affairs of Athens when she was at the height of her glory.
More Information Links
- https://www.britannica.com/event/Trojan-War
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman%E2%80%93Greek_wars
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Europe/Greeks-Romans-and-barbarians
- https://askanydifference.com/difference-between-romans-and-greeks/
- What were the 4 countries that bordered Greek empire?
- Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria; to the east by Turkey
- Three main types of pillar designs started by Greeks.
- The Doric
- The Ionic
- The Corinthian
- Who was the rulers for golden period?
- Pericles
- The “golden age” of Greece lasted for little more than a century but it laid the foundations of western civilization. The age began with the unlikely defeat of a vast Persian army by badly outnumbered Greeks, and it ended with an inglorious and lengthy war between Athens and Sparta. This era is also referred to as the “Age of Pericles” after the Athenian statesman who directed the affairs of Athens when she was at the height of her glory.
Reflections @ Abhishek Dwivedi 