Many Things in American Culture Originated in Greece
Many things in American culture originated in Greece. Greece is a country steeped in culture, history and tradition, and many of those traditions have touched other countries.
America was founded on the idealism of democracy. The democratic system put in place by the country’s forefathers gave the power to the people through the representatives that they vote into office. Democracy first came from Greece in the 6th Century BC.
Not only did Greeks believe in fairness (perhaps not towards women, slaves or foreigners) in government, but also in law. Athens, Greece was the place of the first trial by jury of peers. Male citizens over the age of 30 were eligible to serve on juries, and potential jurors were chosen by lot. Citizens of the same age could also run for election as a magistrate.
Philosophy came from Greek fathers Aristotle (384-322 BC), Plato (429-347 BC) and (469-399 BC). Western thought came from this philosophical genius. High school students can blame their geometry class on the Greeks. Actually, all mathematics originated with the Greeks.
The pledge made by physicians is credited to Hippocrates of Kos, was a Greek physician of the Age of Pericles. The oath is still recognized as the American Medical Association's Code of Medical Ethics.
Everyone knows that the Olympic Games came from Greece but many might be surprised to learn that the tradition held their Olympic competition every four years since 776 BC. The competitions included wrestling, boxing, the pentathlon and chariot racing. A Greek messenger was dispatched to run the 25 miles to Athens to announce the city’s success over their Persian army. The messenger died from exhaustion, and the Marathon was born.
There are many other things that originally came from Greece from tragedy to comedy, the screw to secret police, and thanks to Kantyli.com a small piece of Greece can live in American homes.