The civilizations of Ancient Greece and Rome are collectively
known as the “classical world”. The word “classical”, in this
instance, refers to culture of the highest quality. The Greeks were
pioneers in science and the arts. They influenced the Romans,
who spread this style of art, architecture, and literature across their
own empire. Men in both societies were eager to find fame, often
through military might.Classical world
232
HOMER
During the 8th century bce,
Homer wrote two great epic
poems about the legendary
Greek war against the city
of Troy. The Iliad recounts
the story of the Greek
warrior Achilles. The Odyssey
describes the adventures of
another hero, Odysseus,
as he journeys home after
the war. Homer’s writing is
so powerful that it is said
to have influenced writers
through the ages. He was
so important to the Greeks
that they simply called
him “the poet”. Homer’s
poems were originally
sung or chanted, to the
accompaniment of a lyre.SOCRATES
Socrates (469–399 bce) was
an Athenian thinker whose
influence on philosophy
was so great that all earlier
philosophers are referred
to as “pre-Socratic” (before
Socrates). However, unlike
previous thinkers, such as
Pythagoras, Socrates did
not try to understand
the Universe. He
believed that it
was more important
to find the best
way to live. Accused
by his enemies
of being a bad
influence, he was
put on trial and
sentenced to death
by drinking poison.PYTHAGORAS
A philosopher, astronomer,
and mathematician, Pythagoras
lived in the 6th century bce. He
is remembered today for his
work in geometry – particularly
his theorem about triangles – but
he was also a religious teacher.
Pythagoras wanted to unlock
the secrets of the Universe, and
saw mathematics as the key to
everything. He believed that
numbers were the ultimate reality.Although little is known
about Homer’s life, it is
generally thought that
he was blindSocrates was described
as having a round face
and a snub noseLionskin
headdress of
legendary
hero Heracles,
renowned for his
superhuman
strengthALEXANDER THE GREAT
One of the world’s greatest
generals, and bravest of soldiers,
Alexander (356–323 bce) was
king of Macedon, to the north
of Greece. After forcing the
Greeks to unite under his
leadership, he conquered a vast
empire, stretching from Egypt to
northwest India. By the time of
his death, aged just 32, he had
won lasting fame and was forever
known as Alexander the Great.PERICLES
A statesman and
general, Pericles
(c. 495–429 bce)
was a leading
figure in Athens
when the state
was a democracy
(meaning “power
by the people”).
He filled Athens
with temples,
such as the
Parthenon,
which was
dedicated
to Athena,
goddess of the
city. Pericles also
promoted the
arts, and made
Athens the
cultural centre
of Greece.232_233_Classical_World.indd 232 10/01/19 2:26 PM