14.2 Greek Influence on Roman Culture

Greek culture profoundly shaped Roman society. As Rome conquered Greek territories, they absorbed Greek art, literature, and philosophy. This cultural exchange, known as Hellenization, transformed Roman life and thought.

Romans adapted Greek ideas to fit their own context. They borrowed architectural styles, equated Greek gods with Roman ones, and embraced Greek philosophy. This blend of cultures created a unique Greco-Roman civilization that left a lasting impact on Western society.

Greek Influence on Roman Culture

Hellenization and Cultural Assimilation

Top images from around the web for Hellenization and Cultural Assimilation

• 

  A Non-Philosopher’s Guide to Plato | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Philosopher - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Hellenistic Period – Art and Visual Culture: Prehistory to Renaissance View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  A Non-Philosopher’s Guide to Plato | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Philosopher - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Hellenization and Cultural Assimilation

• 

  A Non-Philosopher’s Guide to Plato | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Philosopher - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Hellenistic Period – Art and Visual Culture: Prehistory to Renaissance View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  A Non-Philosopher’s Guide to Plato | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Philosopher - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• The Romans actively sought out and embraced various aspects of Greek culture, recognizing the sophistication and achievements of Greek civilization
• This process of cultural assimilation is known as Hellenization
• The Roman conquest of Greek territories, particularly after the defeat of Macedon in 168 BCE, exposed Romans to Greek art, literature, philosophy, and religion, which they eagerly adopted and adapted to suit their own cultural context
• Roman elites often learned the Greek language and studied Greek literature, considering it a mark of sophistication and education
  • Many Roman authors, such as Cicero and Virgil, drew inspiration from Greek literary models

Greek Architectural Influence on Roman Buildings

• The Romans adopted and modified Greek architectural styles in their own buildings and public spaces
  • Use of columns and pediments
  • The Pantheon in Rome is a prime example of Roman adaptation of Greek architectural elements
• Greek mythology and religious practices were incorporated into the Roman pantheon
  • Many Greek gods and goddesses were equated with their Roman counterparts (Zeus with Jupiter, Athena with Minerva)

Greek vs Roman Art, Architecture, and Literature

Artistic Styles and Themes

• Greek art, particularly sculpture, emphasized idealized human forms, balance, and proportion (works of Polykleitos and Praxiteles)
• Roman art, while heavily influenced by Greek models, often focused on realism, individualism, and the depiction of historical events and personalities
  • Roman sculpture frequently featured detailed portraits of individuals (busts of emperors and prominent citizens)
  • Greek sculpture often depicted idealized or mythological figures

Architectural Techniques and Orders

• Both Greeks and Romans utilized columns, pediments, and other similar elements in their architecture
• The Romans further developed and expanded upon Greek architectural techniques
  • Greeks primarily used the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders in their temple architecture
  • Romans adopted and modified these orders, adding the Tuscan and Composite orders
• Roman architecture was characterized by the extensive use of concrete, arches, and vaults
  • Enabled construction of larger and more complex structures (Colosseum, Pantheon)

Literary Genres and Influences

• Greek literature, particularly epic poetry, tragedy, and philosophy, had a profound influence on Roman writers
• Roman literature also developed its own distinct genres and styles
  • Roman poets, such as Virgil and Ovid, drew inspiration from Greek epic and mythological themes but adapted them to suit Roman values and political contexts
  • Roman satire, as exemplified by the works of Horace and Juvenal, was a genre that had no direct Greek equivalent and reflected the Romans' keen observation and critique of their own society

Greek Philosophy in Roman Thought

Philosophical Schools and Their Influence

• Greek philosophical schools, such as Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Skepticism, significantly influenced Roman intellectual life
  • Many Roman thinkers adopted and adapted these schools of thought to their own cultural and political contexts
• Stoicism, which emphasized virtue, reason, and acceptance of fate, found particular resonance among Roman elites (works of Seneca and Marcus Aurelius)
• Epicureanism, which focused on the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain, also gained popularity among some Roman circles (poet Lucretius' philosophical work "De Rerum Natura")

Greek Influence on Roman Education and Intellectual Life

• The Roman educational system was heavily influenced by Greek models
  • Roman students often learned Greek language, literature, and philosophy as part of their curriculum
• Roman elites often sent their sons to study in Greek centers of learning (Athens, Rhodes) to receive a comprehensive education in Greek philosophy and rhetoric
• Roman philosophers and intellectuals, such as Cicero and Seneca, played a crucial role in transmitting and interpreting Greek philosophical ideas to a Roman audience
  • Often adapted Greek ideas to address Roman political and ethical concerns
• The influence of Greek philosophy on Roman thought contributed to the development of Roman law and political theory
  • Roman jurists and statesmen drew upon Greek concepts of justice, natural law, and the ideal state in their own works and practices

Greek Religion in Roman Beliefs

Syncretism and Adaptation of Greek Deities

• The Roman pantheon incorporated many Greek gods and goddesses, often equating them with their own deities or adopting them outright
  • Zeus equated with Jupiter
  • Athena identified with Minerva
  • Dionysus adopted as Bacchus
• This syncretism resulted in a complex intermingling of Greek and Roman religious traditions

Mythological Narratives and Mystery Cults

• Roman mythology heavily drew upon Greek mythological narratives, adapting and reinterpreting them to suit Roman cultural and political contexts
  • Ovid's "Metamorphoses" is a prime example of the Roman adaptation of Greek myths, retelling and transforming numerous Greek mythological stories
• The influence of Greek mystery cults, such as the Eleusinian Mysteries and the cult of Dionysus, spread to Rome
  • Attracted many adherents seeking spiritual fulfillment and personal salvation

Distinctly Roman Religious Practices

• Despite the strong influence of Greek religion, the Romans also maintained their own distinct religious practices and beliefs
  • Veneration of ancestors
  • Importance of proper religious observances in maintaining the pax deorum (peace of the gods)
• The Roman state religion, centered around the worship of the Capitoline Triad (Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva) and the performance of public rituals, remained a crucial aspect of Roman religious life
  • Even as Greek influences permeated Roman religious thought and practice