Greek Golden Days
What is a Golden Age?
A Golden Age is a period of time that consists of peace and success for the entire civilization. This is also a time when developments are made in all kinds of technology. Greece's Golden Age impacts many civilization today with their progress in architecture and government system.
Socrates
Socrates was one of the wisest men to ever live. He was so smart because he questioned authority when he believed they were out of line or making poor decisions for the good of all people. One of his most famous and studied quotes is "An unexamined life is not worth living".
Pheidippides
Pheidippides story inspired the marathon and why it is 26.2 miles long. He ran140 miles from Athens to Sparta to tell the Spartans about the Persian and Greek battle that was soon to take place. He ran the mountainous course in about 36 hours. He ran back to Athens to inform the Athenians that the Spartans wouldn't fight. He then fought the battle, then ran back to Athens which was 26.2 miles from the battle to tell the city they had won. After sharing his news Pheidippides died. http://www.lakepowell.net/marathon.html
Alexander The Great
Alexander The Great was one of the few men in history that posed a threat to every civilization in the world. Alexander from Macedonia spread the culture of Greece as he conquered most civilizations on the Mediterranean Sea. Most of his empire was located in an area that granted access to a body of water. His sudden death ended what could have been the conquering of the world.
http://www.historyofmacedonia.org/AncientMacedonia/AlexandertheGreat.html
Architecture
Greek architecture is still used in many civilizations today. Their use of marble and pillars are seen everywhere. The Lincoln Monument in Washington D.C. is almost identical to the Doric Temple in Greece
Military
In Sparta, the most important idea to them was military. Many of their militaristic tactics are used in armies all over the world today. Everything Sparta did was based around military. Boys at age 7 were sent to military school. Then at age 14, they served in the military until age 60 or death. http://www.ancientmilitary.com/spartan-military.htm
Politics
Greek invented the idea of a true democracy. They were the first civilization that had no social classes or king. They believed that everyone should have the free choice to decide how they would live their life. This idea seem to benefit them as many wise men came from the country such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.