Legacies of Ancient Greece and Essay

When Plato was constructing his ideal civilization in the Republic, those citizens fittest to rule were of the philosophers' class, while the lowest orders of society were deemed to be the craftsmen and tradesmen. Although Greek was in actuality a democracy, these common men, in Plato's estimation, were considered unworthy to participate in government. This reflects a type of snobbery typical of ancient Greece. Even scientific disciplines that emphasized thought rather than experimentation and application were esteemed more than pursuits such as architecture. This is also why astronomy, more than the hands-on sciences, was considered to be the highest art.

Roman architecture, including the aqueducts, the domed Pantheon, and its impressive network of roads were important 'firsts' in the history of the world.They would not have been possible without the use of Greek principles, but many of the principles had never been put into action.

Reference

Lecture 7: Hellenistic science and Roman Science. November 5, 2009.

www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/gregory/1001/handouts/H07_H&R.DOC.....