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Classicism In Ancient Rome

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Classicism In Ancient Rome
Many of the classical civilizations; Rome, Greece, China, India, the Islamic Empire, and the Americas, are classified on three main principles: art, ideas and institutions. These themes not only had a revolutionary impact at the time, but have been preserved and perpetuated throughout history. Classicism is the evolution of societies into civilizations, according to Marilynn Hitchens.(1) Classicism can be understood as defining and long-lasting civilization patterns shaped by belief systems. As said by Renaissance writers, history is “philosophy teaching by example”.(2) Rome’s classical period was distinguished by its belief in the laws: imperial law, God’s law and church laws. Rome also believed in human love and forgiveness. The latter …show more content…
Trade also heavily influenced the Classical Greek civilization. With a prosperous trading system the Greek government had many activities to adhere to, one of these activities was honoring the gods. The Greek gods were human gods, in the sense that they possessed the same traits and qualities as humans. They had the same struggles of the individual and collective human nature and they helped to explain some of the most pressing questions many people had about life; including fate, human flaws, and a person’s mastery of self and of the physical universe.(10) The temples for the gods help to show the concept of Greek art, in the sense that they are balanced and proportional form all angles and their sculptures portray realistic and graceful …show more content…
The origins of Chinese beliefs came from the gods, who tended to be anthropomorphic, having human characteristics, and nature and the people’s attitudes towards them.(12) There were many rituals the Chinese attempted to try to appease the gods. They would burn paper images in order to try and please the nature gods.(13) Family was very important in the Chinese culture. As a family they would worship their ancestors. By worshiping their ancestors they provided a communication link to the gods. The Chinese civilization had three belief systems- folk beliefs, Confucianism, and Taoism.(14) Taoism is the thought of heaven, earth and human beings constituted a single unity governed by the cosmic law. It is the balance of good and evil, it is a small, peaceful society that is self sufficient and is the harmony of opposites.(15) Taoism has two interacting forces- yin and yang. Yin is negative, feminine and passive. Yang is positive, masculine and

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