CultureGreeceRome

 Even thought the Greeks and the Romans did not have a world-class religion, like India and China, Christianity became one of the major world religions during the Roman Empire. The Greco-Roman religion during the time was a more primitive affair. The Greeks and Romans had different names for their pantheon, yet the objects of worship were essentially the same (Zeus as the creator/father god, and many gods and goddesses who varied from regulating the daily passage of the sun, or human love and beauty). The Greco-Roman religion tended to be rather human, and had a of-this-world kind of approach. The Greeks and Romans became interested in their gods in terms of what they could for humankind rather than the principles that could elevate people towards higher planes of spirituality. However, religion did not provide for a basis of ethical thought. Aristotle stressed the importance of moderation and balance in human behavior as opposed to excess of the gods themselves. Most of these ethical systems were devised during the Hellenistic Period. Socrates questioned conventional wisdom, and Plato suggested that human reason could approach an understanding of three perfect forms; True, Good, and Beautiful.  Overall, the Roman genius was more practical than the Greek and included engineering achievements such as the great roads and aqueducts. Romans had the ability to construct large arches so that buildings could carry great structural weight.  Performances of music and dance were vital parts of religious festivals. Far more durable however was the Greek interest in drama, for plays, more than poetry. In the visual arts, the emphasis of classical Mediterranean civilization was sculpture and architecture. Greek artists excelled in ceramic work, while Roman painters excelled in realistic decorations for the homes of the wealthy.