Greek Culture

Greece is a country of diverse cultures. The Greek War of Independence gave an identity to the Greek culture. Know all about Greek culture.

"Culture is the sum of all the forms of art, of love, and of thought, which, in the course of centuries, have enabled man to be less enslaved." - Andre Malraux.

Greek Culture is one of the oldest cultures. It has evolved over thousands of years. It finds its roots in the Mycenaean and Minoan civilizations. The Roman, the Byzantine and the Ottoman empires have had a major influence on the culture of Greece.

Greeks are proud of their culture and look at their culture as being a representation of their nationality and ethnicity. Their art, religion, dance, music and the Greek cuisine compose the rich culture of Greece. The Greek diet is characterized by a variety of foods and wine.

Greek Art
Remains of ancient Greek architecture exist in the form of documentations. The Greek architecture of today follows modern trends. Their work was appreciated for many years. Lacking proper preservation, the paintings vanished after 4th century A.D. Many of the ancient Greek buildings have been destroyed due to wars and earthquakes. Parthenon is an ancient temple built for the Greek Goddess Athena, who is believed to protect Greece. The Parthenon is a very important surviving temple of Greece. The Greeks used pottery in their daily lives. Metal vessels made by the Greeks laid the foundation of bronze working technique. The Greek coins of today derive their patterns from those of the ancient times. Panel and wall paintings were among the noted expressions of art by the Greeks. Greek sculptures often portrayed their Gods and Goddesses. Greek art has inspired artists of many countries around the world.

Greek Religion
A large population of Greece is composed of Orthodox Christians. The rest of it constitutes Muslims, Roman Catholics and the Jews. Ancient Greeks were very religious people. They worshiped Gods as forms of strength and beauty. Mostly, the Greeks worshiped the gigantic ivory and gold statue of Zeus at Olympia. (Zeus is the King of the Gods, the Ruler of Mount Olympus and the God of the Sky and Thunder.) They also worshiped the pair of deities like Demeter, Goddess of Grain & Fertility, and her daughter, Persephone.

The Dance and Music of Greece
The dance culture of Greece began in the Minoan period. Dance was believed to cultivate physical and mental well-being and was hence incorporated into their education system. Syrtos, a group of folk dances of ancient origin and Mantilia of the Byzantine period, were among the popular Byzantine dances in ancient Greece. Greeks of the modern times still perform these forms of dance. The guitar and flute were some of the musical instruments to originate in the Byzantine period. Today, folk dance is an integral part of the daily life of the common man. Dance forms a part of many celebrations and auspicious occasions. String instruments like Lyre were prominent during the classical times. The most famous musical instrument of Greece is the bouzouki, a plucked string instrument. Greek music is proud to bear the names of many world famous musicians like Alypius, a music director of ancient Greece and the singer, songwriter and musician Christos Dantis of modern times.

The People of Greece
In olden times, men worked away from home. When at home, they worked on fields or were engaged in hunting and sailing. Ancient Greeks developed crop rotation and irrigation systems to compensate for the infertility of land. Women led a somewhat restricted life in the ancient times. Their job was to look after their family and children. Slavery prevailed in the ancient Greek civilization. The clothing of the Greeks was loose and flowery. Garments were often not sewn together. The clothing for the men and the women was not very different. Clothing was often made out of wool or linen.

Greek Cuisine
Food of Greece included grains, figs, breads and cakes. The Greeks relished seafood and drank wine. Honey was largely used as a sweetener. Italian and Middle Eastern cuisines have impacted the Greek food culture. Greeks mostly use olive oil for cooking. Moussaka made from lamb, eggplant and topped with white sauce is famous in Greece. Desserts like galaktoboureko and ravani, a golden-yellow cake are also popular among the Greeks. The Greek food is an example of a healthy diet of the Mediterranean region.

Before ending this essay on Greek culture it is important to make a mention of the Olympic Games. The Greeks started holding athletic contests in honor of their Gods. The ancient Olympics began in 700 B.C. in honor of Zeus. These games expanded to five days and started including many sports events.

The Greek culture today stands as an example of a beautiful blend of the ‘ancient’ and the ‘modern’. Greek culture is characterized by its diversity. The ancient traditions and the present-day developments make the Greek culture unique.