Classical Antiquity
Classical Antiquity, often simply called Classical Age, refers to the period of cultural history between the 8th century BC and the 6th century AD, dominated by the Mediterranean Civilizations, specifically Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. This era is marked by significant achievements in art, literature, philosophy, science, and politics that have had a lasting influence on Western culture.
Overview
- Geographical Focus: Primarily centered around the Mediterranean Sea, including areas in present-day Italy, Greece, parts of North Africa, Asia Minor, and the Middle East.
- Cultural Influence: The cultural legacy of this period includes the establishment of democracy, the development of philosophy, theater, the Olympic Games, and the spread of Latin and Greek Language.
- Art and Architecture: Classical Antiquity is renowned for its art, with iconic styles like Greek Art (e.g., sculptures, pottery, and architecture like the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders) and Roman Art, which includes monumental constructions like aqueducts, roads, and amphitheaters.
Historical Periods
- Greek Period:
- Roman Period:
- Roman Republic (509–27 BC) - The rise of Rome from a small city-state to a dominant power in the Mediterranean, characterized by republican governance and the expansion of Roman law.
- Roman Empire (27 BC–AD 476 in the West; AD 1453 in the East) - The establishment of the Principate by Augustus, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire, followed by the Dominate period, and eventually the division into Western Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire.
Legacy
The influence of Classical Antiquity on subsequent Western civilization is immense:
- Politics: Concepts of democracy, republics, and the rule of law.
- Literature and Philosophy: Works from Homer, Virgil, and Cicero continue to be studied for their literary and philosophical contributions.
- Art and Architecture: Renaissance artists and architects looked back to classical forms, reviving interest in Greco-Roman aesthetics.
- Science and Technology: From Archimedes's discoveries to Vitruvius's architectural principles, many scientific and technological innovations originated in this period.
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