Social, Economic, and Political Priorities (Essay Sample)

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Social, Economic, and Political Priorities of Early Greek Civilization
The early Greek civilization is presented in Greek’s classical poems and literature works. Homer, Hesiod, and Homeric Hymns reveal the activities of the early populations that lived in Greece and the neighboring nations. Moreover, Thucydides and Herodotus wrote some of the earliest Greece’s social, economic, and political encounters. Other historians and philosophers wrote many issues concerning the region’s welfare, as well as gave oral accounts based on recollections of earlier generations. However, Greek literature and poems provided the platform under which the nation’s history remained on the course from one generation to the next. Social, economic, and political ideologies remain the key aspects that have dominated Greece’s literature that dates back to the pre-classical period. Indeed, Homer and Hesiod’s works stand as the pioneers of literature in ancient Greece. While earlier Greek authors and poets may have based their work on real-life situations, modern script writers should focus on social, economic, and political issues to increase the awareness and importance of literary advancement.
The ancient Greek society believed that unity could only be achieved through well-established family units. As the smallest unit, the family helped popularize social, economic, and political ideologies. Ancient Greek literature and classical poems described the society’s close relations as well as its religious activities. Additionally, the society had various social classes such as the peasants or lower class, middle class, and the upper class. Entertainment remained the Greek society’s soul food during free time. For instance, Hesiod’s “Theogony” and “Works and Days” depicted the dull and struggling life of ordinary Greek people (Hesiod 53). This depiction not only relates to earlier Greek people, but also to the contemporary society. Besides, poems and other literary works were used to entertain people in theaters and other social gatherings. Homer’s “Odyssey” and “Iliad” represent a mixture of tragedy and comedy and pure comedy respectively. Tragedy stories, comedy, and poems remained the Greek society’s sources of entertainment. Furthermore, cultural practices such as storytelling, songs, and dances entertained the society all year round and the situation remains the same today (Hesiod 53).
Religion played a crucial role in ancient Greek society. Both Hesiod and Homer’s work give accounts of the various gods that the society believed had powers over the lives of ordinary people. For instance, Zeus was believed to be the father of all gods in heaven. Homeric Hymn “To Hermes” vividly describes the power that the gods in Greece had over nature. The farmers believed that Zeus had the power over the land and all the good things that transpired in Greece (Homer et al. 67). Additionally, Hermes, Zeus’ son and the aristocrat of Cyllene region was believed to be a luck-bringing messenger from the immortals’ world. Indeed, Cyllene region had plenty of food and was rich in flocks. Therefore, religion was part of the ancient Greek community and had an influence on the activities of all the tribes that lived prior and after Homer and Hesiod’s time. Contemporary writers base their work on various religions to communicate their ideas.
Hesiod’s “Theogony” describes the accounts of the origin of the universe, the gods, and the creation of mankind. Equally, in his other work, “Work and Days”, he explained the Greek society’s daily struggles witnessed among the individuals in the lower class. The authors’ accounts also reveal the differences in social status that were based on one’s citizenship. Slaves were used as domestic workers while former soldiers served as judges. On the contrary, Homer’s accounts reveal that men played a leading role, and women were not allowed to participate in social activities, such as dances, recitals or plays, where they needed their husbands’ permission. However, Hesiod’s accounts reveal that women played the role of goddesses. Odyssey struggled to go back home after the Trojan War but was guided by a goddess to overcome all the challenges he encountered (Homer and Lattimore 22).
Odyssey’s condition when he arrived at the palace revealed the Greek society’s attitude towards beggars and outcasts. Odyssey had disguised himself as a beggar. He was abused and insulted at the palace since no beggars or outcasts were allowed to go near the royal palace. The peasants, beggars, and slaves were mistreated by the other members of the society. Equally, the society treated heroes with the utmost respect (Homer and Lattimore 27). The soldiers’ success on the battlefield was attributed to Zeus, the god who ensured that Greece defeated all its enemies. The “Iliad” presents Achilleus, the soldier who helped King Agamemnon to defeat the soldiers of Troy. These stories and other forms of comedy remained the main forms of entertainment among the Greeks.
Hesiod’s work reveals the encounters of all social classes that existed in ancient Greece. “Work and Days” tells about the challenges that farmers experienced due to the rules and principles that had been set to control their work. The poem encourages individuals to be honest while working with laborers who dedicate their time and energy to productive activities. Moreover, the poem discourages idleness, acts of corruption, and involvement in unjust activities. Hesiod condemns judges who pursued their personal interests instead of ensuring justice prevailed for to all people in the society. Additionally, the poet argues that the gods and men hated idleness. Certain accounts reveal that ancient Greek society did not tolerate idleness, theft, and corruption among other issues (Hesiod 57). The issues mentioned affect the contemporary society, and modern authors ought to write about them to minimize such vices.
War was important to the ancient Greece society. Although it remained an expensive affair, it had economic benefits. Prisoners of war could be sold to neighboring nations as slaves. The encounters of Odyssey reveal Greece’s economy thrived during peaceful periods. Moreover, agriculture was the main economic activity that created employment. Hesiod condemned the practice of usury and considered it as a form of theft. However, the classical authors did not denounce acts of slavery that were dominant in the ancient Greece society. The use of forced labor made the people not to come up with the appropriate means of production (Homer et al. 89). Slaves were made perform the hardest tasks since they were a source of cheap labor. Agricultural practice remained the main economic activity that sustained the Greek economy. It also led to the growth of cities due to increased trading activities.
Politics played a crucial role in the making of earliest Greece society. Historians argue that Greece is the pioneer of democratic politics. The ...