what ancient civilation do you think most effected our modern american coulture?

Question

this question has me thinking alot i would like your feed back!

Answer 1

It is the Greek culture primarily. The Greeks are at the top of a cultural and political family tree. Below the Greeks are the Romans who pretty much borrowed the Greek culture, including religion, intact. Without Greece, Rome doesn't exist. Rome expanded its empire and influenced Europe. European nations in turn created modern America. The one big exception to this answer is the influence of ancient Israel and its concept of monotheism. Its extension is Christianity, but I would lump the two together in this discussion. So, simply put: Greece and Israel.

Answer 2

I can cite many examples of how ancient paganism affected modern day Christianity. but where do I start. In principles: The pagans belive in a cycle of rebirth which is represented in the seasons where as During The winter soltice (around Dec 22) The great God is born starting the road towards spring. but by midsummer he ages and losses strengh until he is finall sacrificed starting the road towards winter. During this time though he has inpregnated the Goddess with his seed to be reborn again. this story coinsides with the changes of the seasons and the changes of how many hours of sunlight we have vs the of daylight we have. as the winter soltice Dec 22 is the day that amount of daylight is at its least. and june 22 is the day in which we have the most daylight. Notice the simularity to Christs Birth Death and reseraction. Anouther example of pagan simularities to Christians is the pagan is where Theegyptia goddess gives birth to the egytian God Horus baring a striking simblence to The madonna(Virgin Mary) having given birth to Christ. In Chritianities infancy they had worked hard trying to eliminate the beliefs of the pagans. But some beliefs were so ingrained that the only way to change the pagans minds were to incorporate them into christianity. for example In Ireland The pagans had a very ingraned belif in a triple Goddess known as Brid,Breed, Bhrigid, The church could not eliminate this figure from the common belief so the church just demoted her from a Goddess into a saint. such is the origin of Saint Brigett in catholic belief. Also notice the triune here In the pagan beliefs this triune was reated to the cycles of life as a Virgin Goddess, Maiden(Mother Goddess) and Crone(The wise elderly Goddess) this of course is simular to the Christians Father, Son, And Holy Ghost. There are many other examples I can give but would rather not write a book so if you need more feel free to e-mail me.

Answer 3

Rome. Our Founding Fathers were for the most part educated men, and that in their time meant a study of the classics of Greece and Rome, including some ability with the languages. Our government is a republic, and George Washington retired after two terms citing the precedent of Cincinnatus. The list goes on forever.

Answer 4

Byzantines

Answer 5

Romans

Answer 6

A couple.......Rome for one. The government, and military take strong ques from Rome.

Also, ancient Norman and Germanic Cultures. The holidays and days of the week are often based on these cultures (Thursday =Thor's day for instance)

Answer 7

The Romans, they gave us cities, water systems, sanitation, the arch, architecture, literature, law ... and the persecution of minorities. Okay, so no one is perfect. They also gave us government, the concept of a republic and the voice of the people in government officials, roads and trade routes. Almost every basic system we have in our civilization today has its roots in Rome.

Answer 8

Rome & Hellenistic Egypt

Answer 9

Right now? The Decadence of the Empire.

Answer 10

Roman,thats why we are headed down hill with corruption and greed.