Cradle of the ancient Greece

New civilization that was born in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea basin had much to be indebted for to Aegean and Middle East tradition. It was never monolithic but it became very diverse at the end of its existence. Its outside borders were determined by foreground of Asia, Africa, barbarian Europe and steppes of southern Russia.

Although dissimilarity of the Mediterranean culture was undisputed it was always influenced by other traditions that shaped it to a great extent. The Mediterranean civilization demonstrated always a great variety of forms of political life and inspired experiments.
Other cultures maintained continuity of religion and ideology. The Mediterranean civilization started from tradition of native paganism and finished under influence of exotic import – Christianity. That transformation of the Mediterranean civilization had the biggest impact on its future.

Around the basin of the Mediterranean Sea

The shape of the Mediterranean civilization was mainly determined by geographical location.
Although the area of the Mediterranean Sea is quite big and it is inhabited by various peoples it is rather geographically uniform. The sea was the main link. On its coast a civilization developed that used a couple of languages.
Economy was based mostly on growing of wheat, barley, olives and grapevine that were mainly consumed.

Shipping ficiliated transport of goods that is why specialized commercial centres arose at the Mediterranean Sea. It also was a great faciliation for export of metals.

Culture of the classical world

Expansion of littoral peoples created a new world. New born civilizations made conquests but they were not concentrated on colonization. They were mainly concentrated on how to satisfy their most important needs.

As far as the Mediterranean civilization is concerned we can clearly see pace and dynamics of its development that caused that Greeks grew wheat on Russian territory, imported tin from Cornwall, built roads in Balkans, used spices imported from India and silk imported from China.
Historical writings came into being for the first time in the ancient world. In 500 BC literary tradition was fully developed. It is represented by narrative literature, lyric poetry, historical writings and epigrams.

Classical languages

All literature is written in two languages commonly used in the Mediterranean world: Greek and Latin. Thank to Greek and Latin literature people from subsequent ages got to know this civilization and called it "classical culture".

Meaning of the word "classical"

Splendour and power of the classical Mediterranean civilization was always fascinating and still fascinates. Also some of its representatives perceived their times and culture as something special.

The classical civilization was something extraordinary. It set standards and shaped ideas, technics and institutions on which it was to built the future.

In general unity of the Mediterranean civilization, discovered by its heirs, had spiritual nature.

Heritage of the classical world

Achievements of the classical age create the entirety that originated modern states. That is why the classical age is something perceptible and comprehensible for us.

Greeks played the main role in formation of this world, they decided on its dynamics and created its heritage. Looking for perfection they determined how people from subsequent ages would understand it. Their achievements are hard to overestimate and are the most important process that shaped the Mediterranean civilization.

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