Classical Greece's Influence on Rome

This assignment analyzes the significant impact of Classical Greece on Roman civilization. It examines three key areas: architecture, philosophy, and military strategy, providing examples like Cicero's translations, Caesar's admiration for Alexander the Great, and Spartan support for Roman legions. The second part delves into the Columbian Exchange, exploring the transfer of plants, animals, technology, and diseases between the New World and Old World after Columbus's voyages in 1492, highlighting its global impact on both regions.

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PART I: SHORT ESSAYS: 25 POINTS EACH, 50 TOTAL POINTS.
In what ways did Classical Greece influence Classical Rome? Select three Classical Greek
influences and analyze how they influenced Classical Rome. Give examples
There is no doubt that Rome had changed the world. They created an complex network of roads
throughout Europe. Similarly, they provided the idea related with the three branches of
government. However, it is also true that "Rome was not built in a day". Or in other words, it can
be stated that “Rome was not built by the Greeks in a single day”. In present day, the Greeks and
the Italians often point towards the similarities that are present between the two cultures
(Boardman, 1988). There is a striking resemblance present between Roman and Greek
architecture. Similarly, the typology is also the same, although the names may be different, but
both sides of Gods are present on Mount Olympus. At its zenith, the Roman Republic and also
during the commencement of Roman Empire, in case a Roman patrician wanted to achieve the
education of the highest level, they attended the school's present the in Greece (Rothaus, 2000).
For example, Marcus Tulius Cicero, who was a leading constitutionalist, philosopher and a
politician aligned in opposition of Julius Caesar, introduced the 'common' Roman to the Greek
philosophers when he translated several texts from Greek to Latin. It is said that Julius Caesar
and Mark Antony, his General had trained their legions in the Spartan manner. Caesar and his
adopted son/nephew Augustus held Alexander the great in high esteem. During their visits to
Alexandria, they went to the tomb and paid their respects to the great Greek general. There are
even rumors that Caesar had wept near the statue of Alexander when he felt embarrassed that so
much had been achieved by Alexander at much younger age as compared to Caesar.

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Similarly, the Greek had also helped in protecting the Roman Empire during its early age. On
many occasions, the Spartan soldiers were asked to support the Roman legions while fighting the
battles against Middle Eastern Parthian Empire.
The influence of Greek can also be seen during the reign of Constantine I. He shifted his capital
from Rome to Constantinople. With this act, he created an tacit divide among the Roman
Empire. In the East, Rome, starting with Constantine was greatly impacted by the Greek culture.
Greek also became the main language. The impact was such that informally, it started to be
known as the "Empire of the Greeks".
PART II: LONG ESSAY:
What was the Columbian Exchange?
The term Columbian exchange is used to refer to the period of cultural and biological exchanges
that the place between the New World and the Old World. As a result of the exchange of plants,
animals, technology as well as diseases, there was a transformation that took place in the
European and the Native American lifestyle. Starting with the discovery made by Columbus in
1492, the cultural exchange continued throughout the years of discovery and expansion. The
impact of Columbian exchange can be seen on the social and cultural composition on both sides
of the Atlantic (Quinn, ed., 1955). The developments that were made in agricultural production,
education, increased mortality rates, evolution of warfare are some of the examples related to the
effect of Columbian exchange on European as well as the Native Americans (Winslow, 1855).

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In the same way, the Columbian exchange of crops had an impact on the Old World, as well as
on the New (Bradford, 1952). For example, the Amerindian crops that crossed the oceans like
white potato to Ireland and maize to China, had played an important role in boosting the growth
of population in the Old World. Similarly, the crops and livestock of the Old World had much
impact on the Americans. For example, beef cattle in Texas and Brazil and wheat in Kansas, and
Pampa.
At this point, it needs to be noted that all this is not concerned with inferiority or superiority of
bio-systems in any way. It is related with environmental contrasts. The Amerindians were used
to live in a particular kind of environment, while the Europeans and the Africans were
accustomed to live in another kind of environment.

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References
Boardman, J. (1988) The Oxford History of Greece & the Hellenistic World 2nd Edition Oxford
University Press
Bradford, W., (1952) Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620–1647, ed. Samuel E. Morison, New York:
Knopf, 271
Quinn, D. B. ed. (1955) The Roanoke Voyages, 1584–1590: Documents to Illustrate the English
Voyages to North America, London: Hakluyt Society 378
Rothaus, Richard M. (2000) Corinth: The First City of Greece. Brill
Winslow, E., (1855) Nathaniel Morton, William Bradford, and Thomas Prince, New England’s
Memorial (Cambridge: Allan and Farnham, 362