Greek and Roman Roots of European Civilisation Cover Image

Greek and Roman Roots of European Civilisation
Greek and Roman Roots of European Civilisation

Author(s): Wojciech Daszkiewicz
Subject(s): Anthropology, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Ancient World
Published by: International Étienne Gilson Society
Keywords: Europe; ancient Greece; ancient Rome; civilisation; Western Civilisation; culture; polis; Roman law;

Summary/Abstract: European countries share certain features, roots and, to a large extent, history. In the present article attention is paid to the Greek and Roman influence on European civilisation, or “Western Civilisation.” To this day Europeans refer to broadly understood models of ancient culture contained in the concept of polis as a community of equal citizens, in promoting representative bodies, appreciation of elements of merchant culture, rationality and emancipation, the concept of Roman Law that together represent the signa specifica of the Western civilisation. If one adds to this the contribution of Christianity and barbarian tribes, one may reconstruct an adequate representation of the “roots of Europe.”

  • Issue Year: 6/2017
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 381-404
  • Page Count: 24
  • Language: English