Discussion 2: Greek Legacy

Select a specific example of life in Ancient Greece or the Hellenic world that you believe shows a clear break from the cultures we studied in the last two weeks. Consider government, art, philosophy and anything else that you run across. Tell us about that example and how it differs from the world and values of Mesopotamia, Egypt and other ancient civilizations around the globe. (Please be sure to watch the BBC presentation on sculpture in MyArtsLab before answering this question.)
Describe one way that you see a particular tenet of Greek philosophy reflected in the modern worldview you live in. The 19th century poet, Percy Shelley said, "We are all Greeks," because he was so in awe of the important influence of the Ancient Greeks on our cultural "destiny." What do you think he meant by this statement? Provide one example of the way Greek culture still survives in your 21st century life. (Remember that without the Greek Idea, we might have had 2,000 or more years of the Mesopotamians and Egyptians...Not to mention that First Chinese Emperor.)