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What were the values of ancient Greece?

Greek history, philosophy and mythology show that the Greek community appreciated certain values among their folks. These values can be traced back to the Platonic virtues by the notable Greek philosopher Plato. He observed that there were four predominant virtues that were essential for human and communal well-being and these include:


  • Courage

  • Wisdom

  • Temperament

  • Justice

These four values were of primary focus to the General Greek society. Leaders and the society, in general, were expected to exercise some level of wisdom in decision making. Greek literature, such as the Iliad demonstrated the importance of discussions before decisions were made. Rash decisions were often questioned and could only be justified if evidence was produced that showed there was some level of reason and caution observed. Courage was necessary among the Greek community as seen through the depiction of Greek heroes such as Achilles, Perseus, and Odysseus, who showed no fear in the face of danger. The importance of moderation and temperance was also highly communicated, mostly through showing the disadvantages of over indulgence. Justice has also been shown to be an important value among the Greeks. The leader was expected to share out bounty or wealth fairly among his people. In addition, retribution was an important aspect of Greek life, and those who sought it were considered heroes. For instance, Orestes in Greek mythology.

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