What does this saying imply "The glory that was greece and the grandeur that was rome"?

Question

i need to know what they mean...Please Help!

Answer 1

This quote by Poe, refers to the idealized versions of ancient peoples. Both the Civilization of Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire were great civilizations that brought to us many of the ideals, cultural and literary references, and architecture (among other things) that we take for granted today. Without these two great cultures we would not have the idea of democracy, the ability to "open a Pandora's box" of problems, or build with arches.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, there was a much greater reverence and revival of Greco- Roman influence in art, philosophy, architecture, and poetry.

Poe , in To Helen, is saying that the beauty of Helen has brought into his heart and mind-- the glory of Greece, and the Grandeur of Rome. He is comparing her, in the fashion of the Classical Revivalists, to the goddess Psyche, and is lifting her above being a mere contemporary mortal, to something more idealized.

There was also a series of Books on Ancient History titled...
The Glory of Greece, The Grandeur of Rome, The Wonder of India. All of these titles devised formulaicly.

Answer 2

In ancient times, Greece and Rome were the founders of Western civilisation. Greek thinking, archtecture, legends/myths, etc. Roman Empire, laws, buildings, roads , language etc. All fantastic in their day. Still lots of relics and remains in different parts of the world. words of Latin/ Greek root still in use in English today. eg Television Tele=far (Greek) Vision from Video - I see (Latin).
The emphasis in this phrase is perhaps "was". Look at them now. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

that's a tricky question..