Description
With our exploration of ancient Greece now coming to an end, I’d like us to reflect on the enduring influence of this civilization.
Michael Scott, a lecturer on ancient civilizations at the University of Cambridge writes, “Our picture of ancient Greece not only became a fundamental part of the geology of the mental landscape of Western Europe, but also, more importantly, was fundamentally fashioned by the events, needs and ideas of that world […] At times it has been a place of ideal grandeur, at others primitive reality. Sometimes the epitome of noble simplicity and at other times one of savage cruelty […] ancient Greece has been all of these things and more to us over the centuries.” What Scott is getting at there is the general notion that we remember the past to help us makes sense of our own present.
To reflect upon Scott’s observation, here are some questions to consider: What are some examples of how and to what ends ancient Greece is evoked in society today? How do we remember its philosophical contributions, its artistic achievements and its social-political innovations? How and to for what purpose is ancient Greece represented in popular culture (for example, what is the message of the movie ‘Troy’ from 2004 starring Brad Pit)? What role does ancient Greece play in our (post) modern imagination?
For a total of 50 points, you need to:
– make a relevant point in response to one of the question (15 points)
– provide an example to illustrate your point (10 points)
– reference another student’s comments (use his or her name) unless you are the first one to post
(10 points)
– write a paragraph of 250 words or more (15 points
