Persian influence on Greece
By: Janine Bakker
The ancient Persian andGreek cultures did not exist in isolation. There was cross-fertilization. The presentarticle contains a description of Persia's influence on Greece.
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Conclusion
In the fields of architecture and politics, the Athenians ofthe fifth century BCE copied several Persian innovations. In the branch of architecture,this happened in two ways: practical and ideological. The first of these can be found inthe production and elaborating of rhytons, but also in the building of the Odeon and thePrytaneum. A Persian tent (and therefore a Persian architectural style) was used when thecity was rebuilt and offered space for cultural and political activities. At the sametime, they offered proof of the Athenian victory in war.
The second type ofemulation can be found in the Parthenon frieze and the caryatids. The difference istwofold: in the first place, the caryatids and the frieze are not based on somethingtangible like rhyta or tents; in the second place, not only a from, but also a generalidea are copied. In the Parthenon frieze, the Persian ideal of "unity under the king" hasbeen "translated" to Greece. The image and idea were adapted to Greek tastes, which madethe work of art more accessible. In the caryatids, the original image (a bull or afeline) has been ignored and only the essence, the general idea, is copied - to women.Apparently, the Greeks found women better motifs to show subjection than animals.
Summing all up, a case can be made for the existence of Persian influence onGreek art. The same can be said for politics. The Athenians and Persians both weremasters of the Greek towns in Ionia, and since the Athenians had no experience in rulingan empire (whereas the Persians stood in a long tradition), they copied Persian measures.Therefore, they copied the tribute system, organized their navy like their enemies did,and appointed episcopi to control the subject towns.
It was the obvious thing todo. After all, it is sound policy to make use of knowledge developed by others.Nineteenth-century European historians, however, have often ignored the Persiancontribution to Greek culture. They believed in a "Greek miracle" and were unable toconceptualize oriental influences. (They had more or less the same perspective onEuropean history, which had developed -in their view- autonomously.) Cultural contactswere ignored. Today, in a world in which cross-fertilization and clashes between culturescan no longer be ignored, scholars are more interested in cultural contacts. Thisperspective does more justice to the complexities that existed when two culturesencountered each other.
Full Article:
http://www.iranchamber.com/history/articles/persian_influence_on_greece1.php
