cradle of European civilization is rightly considered Ancient Greece.This state has had a marked influence on the development of many spheres of human life - science, medicine, politics, art and philosophy.Some monuments of ancient Greece survived.It is about them, as well as the history of the once-great power will be discussed in this article.
Ancient Greece and its historical significance
Under Ancient Greece historians understand the totality of civilization, which lasted about 3,000 years, from the third millennium BC to the I century AD.The very concept of "Ancient Greece" in the territory of the modern state is not used.In this country, this civilizational formation called Hellas, and its inhabitants - Hellenes.
Description Ancient Greece should start with its importance and role in the historical development of Western civilization.Thus, historians rightly considered that it was in ancient Greece laid the foundations of the European democracy, philosophy, art and architecture.The Greek state was conquered by Rome, but at the same time the Roman Empire borrowed and the main features of ancient Greek culture.
real feat of ancient Greece - is not a world-famous wonderful myths and discoveries in science and culture, philosophy, poetry, medicine and architecture.It should be noted that the geographical area of ancient Greece does not coincide with the boundaries of the modern state.This term historians often involve spaces of other countries and regions: Turkey, Cyprus, Crimea and even the Caucasus.Monuments of ancient Greece survived in all these areas.In addition, the ancient Greek settlement (colony) were once scattered along the shores of the Mediterranean, the Black and Azov Seas.
Geography and map of ancient Greece
Hellas was not a single, monolithic state education.On its foundation was formed more than a dozen separate city-states (most famous of them - Athens, Sparta, Piraeus, Samos, Corinth).All states of ancient Greece were the so-called "policy" (in other words, the city), with adjacent land.Each act has its own laws.
central core of Ancient Greece is a Balkan peninsula, or rather, its southern part, the western extremity of Asia Minor, as well as a plurality of islands in the region.Ancient Greece consisted of three parts: Northern Greece, Central Greece and the Peloponnese.In the north of the state bordering on Macedonia and Illyria.
Historical Map of Ancient Greece is presented below.
Cities in Ancient Greece (policies)
What were the city in ancient Greece?
can not say that they had a chic and luxurious feel, as so often like to illustrate in pictures.In fact - it is a myth.Elegant and pompous in the Greek polis looked only major public buildings, but houses of ordinary citizens were very modest.
homes of people have been deprived of any comfort.Historians believe that the ancient Greeks even slept outside, under the portico.Network of urban streets was careless and ill-conceived: a large part of them and did not fall sunlight.
fared worst in Athens, which many travelers of the time spoke with contempt.However, comfort in time to penetrate into homes of ordinary Greeks.So, a revolution in urban development and planning of the streets at the time made Hippodamus architect of Miletus.It was he who first drew attention to the location of the houses in the city and tried to build them into a single line.
architectural attractions of ancient Greece
now is to stay on one more important question: what is left to us of ancient Greece, in terms of material monuments?
Attractions Ancient Greece - temples, amphitheatres, the remains of public buildings - preserved in many European countries.But most of them, of course, on the territory of the modern state of the same name.
important monuments of ancient material culture is an ancient Greek temple.In Greece they were built all over the place, because it was believed that they inhabit the gods themselves.These world-famous sights of ancient Greece stands out compared to other landmarks of ancient Greece - the remnants of the Greek Acropolis and other ancient ruins.
Parthenon
Perhaps the most famous monument of ancient Greek architecture is the temple of the Parthenon.It was built in 432 BC in Athens, and today it is the most recognizable symbol of modern Greece travel.It is known that the construction of this majestic Doric temple led the architects Kallikrates and Iktinos, and it was built in honor of the goddess Athena - the patroness of Athens Acropolis.
Before our time fairly well preserved central part of the Parthenon with fifty columns.In the center of the temple you can see the copy of the sculpture of Athena, made at the time of ivory and gold by Phidias - the famous ancient Greek painter and sculptor.
Freese central facade of the building is lavishly decorated with various images and pediments of the temple - the wonderful sculptures.
Temple of Hera
The oldest age ancient Greek temple is a temple of the goddess Hera.Experts say that it was built in the sixth century BC.Unfortunately, the building is not as well preserved as the Parthenon in the beginning of the fourth century it was severely damaged by an earthquake.
Temple of Hera in Olympia is located.According to legend, it was presented to the inhabitants of Elis Olympians.The foundation, steps, and a few remaining pillars - that is all that remains of the grandiose construction to date.One can only imagine what he looked like in those ancient times.
At the time, the temple of Hera adorned the statue of Hermes.Today the sculpture is kept in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia.It is known that the ancient Romans used the temple of Hera in Olympia as a sanctuary.Today, this place is famous in the first place that the Olympic flame is lit on the eve of the next Olympiad.
Temple of Poseidon Temple of Poseidon
, or rather its remains are located at Cape Sounion.It was built in 455 BC.It has survived only 15 columns, but they speak eloquently about the majesty of the building.Scientists have found that in place of the temple, even before construction began, there were already other places of worship.Tentatively they dated VII century BC.
It is well known that the god Poseidon in Greek mythology - is the master of the seas and oceans.Therefore, it is no coincidence the ancient Greeks had chosen the place for the construction of the temple: on the bluff overlooking the Aegean Sea.By the way, on this place King Aegeus threw himself from the steep cliff, he saw in the distance a ship of his son Theseus with a black sail.
In conclusion ...
Ancient Greece - it is a real phenomenon in the history of European civilization, which has had a huge impact on the development of European culture, science, art and architecture.Things to ancient Greece - is the numerous majestic temples, the remains of the Acropolis and the picturesque ruins of which a large number have survived.Today, they attract huge number of tourists from around the world.
