Ancient Classical Greek

The era beginning from the 6th century BC through the 4th century is known as Ancient Classical Greek. The political conditions were that of turmoil. There were frequent battles fought both within as well as outside the country.

The two significant wars that marked the onset of the classical ancient age were number 1. The Greco-Persian wars and number 2. The Peloponnesian War.

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Language

Ancient Classical Greek language is a pluricentric language, divided into various dialects like Doric, Attic, Ionic, Aeolic, and Arcadocypriot, with many of them even having sub-divisions. There are also different historic, like Homeric Greek used in many epics and is a bit different.

Culture

The Ancient Classical Greek culture was highly polished. The culture had prominent influences on ancient Greek culture. The Ancient Classical Greek culture cast its influence on western civilization.

The political mindset of the people in the west, the artistic inclination of the people, and the literary and philosophical thought are derived from this civilization. Art and architecture also flourished during this era.

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Architecture Characteristics

Classical Greek architecture was best known for its rectangular design framed by Colonaddes open on all sides and it emphasized formal unity.
There grew three architectural greek orders with distinct styles namely: the Doric, the Ionic, and the Corinthian. The Doric order used simple, smooth, or fluted columns with circular capital and the entablature firing a decorative element above the columns. The Ionic columns used volutes, a decorative element at the top of the capital, and the entablature is so designed that a narrative freeze extended the length of the building and the late Corinthian order was the most decorative by using elaborately carved capitals and an acanthus leaf motif. These had profound effects on Roman architecture as well as modern western architecture.

The influence of  Greek Classical architecture can be seen in renaissance architecture like in the dome of Florence, and even in modern buildings like the US capitol.

The Onset Of The Classical Period 5th Century Bc.

Classical history began with the first Olympiad held in 776 BCE. The Persian wars fought during this era were significant events of the classical period.

Athens was a city-state that rose to prominence. This state headed Greek affairs. Athens conducted trade and commerce via the sea. This page was also called the Age of Pericles named after an important statesman, Pericles.

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During this age art and architecture flourished. There was economic prosperity and the people could put their minds to the development of art. Athens was the center of learning. The theatre gained importance and was a popular source of entertainment.

With the Peloponnesian war in 431 BEC, Sparta rose to importance. But the generals were not able to control the position. Thus the Democratic Party in Athens and in other cities came to power again. The Spartan empire was short-lived. Sparta had a clash with Thebes. At the end of this clash, Athens regained a position of dominance over Sparta.

Classical Ancient Greek and Latin literature

Ancient Greek and Latin literature have always captured the minds of western thinkers and writers and have had a profound impact on western literature as a whole.
The earliest surviving Greek literature is the Epics, Iliad, and Odyssey by Homer in the Archaic Age. Classical Greece was a hub of literary activities with famous writers like Herodotus being termed, the Father of History. Classical dramas have been a cult with plays like Oedipus being among the long list of classical dramas.
It has inspired writers for generations with Greek literature having a great influence on Roman Latin literature which was unearthed during the renaissance period.
Writers like John Milton and George Bernard Shaw have been inspired by classical literature

Philosophy

The classical period can be termed the golden age of Greek philosophy with ancient Athens emerging as a hub of intellectual discourses.
Among the Classical Greek philosophers, the most prominent were Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. There emerged different schools of philosophy like Cynicism, Cyrenaicism, and Megarians.
Classical Greek philosophy has had a huge impact on western thinkers and is even a part of modern philosophical discourse

Return Of The 5th Century Bc.

Athens was in an important position but it lost its centralized position. It was an alley of other states in which many states had a voice to lend. N
Athenian peace and harmony were disturbed as it had to fight battles against its own allies. There was a confrontation between Athens and Thebes. At the end of classical ancient Greek, Macedon rose to power.

Is Ancient Greece the same as classical Greece?

Ancient Greece refers to the period which started from the Greek Dark Age between the 12th century BC and 9th BC and continued till the coming of the Byzantine Empire around 600 AD while Classical Greece referred to the period of about 200 years between the 6th and 8th centuries BC which saw flourishing civilization, growth of Greek culture, Persian wars, rise of Alexander, etc. and this belonged within the Ancient Greek period which refers to a wider time frame.

What is Classical Greek known for?

The Classical Greek period was the start of the Greek democracies which was a form of direct democracies, which has been adapted by modern western countries, like the USA, Britain, etc.

The Classical Greek world made great achievements in the field of astronomy, mathematics, philosophy, and medicine. The literature and theatre of the Classical Greek period have known even today and have been a platform upon which modern theatre stands. Classical Greek artists reached levels of excellence, especially in sculpting and architecture. Their stone figures are the most recognizable art from any civilization.