Difference Between Romans and Greeks

Romans vs Greeks
 

Difference between Romans and Greeks is not hard to understand. They were both parts of important civilizations. These civilizations have shared much as the architecture and beliefs as they both existed during the same time and closer to one another. For example, think about the Roman and Greek mythologies about gods. Since Greeks were the first ones, Romans followed them. For example, Ares is the Greek God of war. The Romans accept Mars as the God of war. Romans acknowledge Mars as God of fertility too. According to the Greeks, Ares is a very strong and terrifying God due to the fact he is the real God of War Incarnate.

More about Romans

Romans lived in the Roman Empire since as early as 8th century BC. When it comes to art, Romans sought perfect likeness in their art work to real people. That means Roman sculpture has all the flaws of real people. Romans believed in the mythological figures. In fact, they would give different names for the mythological figures too. For example, Venus, Mars, Diana (the Huntress) and Minerva (goddess of wisdom) are some Roman Gods. Nature was more of a disposable resource for the Romans. Romans were opposed to portraying animal characters in their stories and legends. Romans appeared to be practical. They never seemed to appreciate nature. They were not inspired by the factor of beauty in nature. The Romans were known for their art of construction. They were believed to be wonderful architects but were not good mathematicians.

More about Greeks

The Greeks lived in Greece during 8th Century to 6th Century BC. It is believed that Greek culture was older than the Roman culture. When it comes to art, Greek sculptors depicted the beauty in their work and perfectness. They portrayed perfect people. Greeks believed in the mythological figures. In fact, they would give different names for the mythological figures too. For example, Aphrodite, Ares, Artemis (the Huntress) and Athena (goddess of wisdom) are some Greek Gods. The Greeks were more concerned about nature. They found nature inspiring. Greek philosophers and thinkers tried to understand the nature better. This was because they appreciated it. The Greek stories and legends portrayed animal characters too. The Greeks were good mathematicians. They were good architects too as they too have built some marvelous structures.

What is the difference between Romans and Greeks?

• One of the main differences between Romans and Greeks is that while Romans lived in the Roman Empire since as early as 8th century BC, the Greeks lived in Greece during 8th Century to 6th Century BC.

• It is believed that Greek culture was older than the Roman culture. The Greek civilization lasted from the period of 8th Century to 6th Century BC. Roman civilization is believed to have started as early as 8th century BC. The influence of Greek architecture on Roman architecture suggests that Greeks were there first.

• They differ from each other in terms of their contribution to art. Greek sculptors depicted beauty in their work and perfectness whereas Romans sought perfect likeness in their art work to real people. That means Roman sculpture has all the flaws of real people.

• Romans believed in the same mythological figures as the Greeks. In fact, they would give different names for the mythological figures too. For example, Greek Aphrodite was Venus among Romans. Greek Ares (God of War) was Mars among Romans. Same duties, but different names. Sometimes some Gods had additional powers than their Greek or Roman counterpart. As a matter of fact, the Romans followed the categorization of gods and goddesses of the Greeks.

• Nature was more of a disposable resource for the Romans. The Greeks, on the other hand, were more concerned about nature. They found nature inspiring.

• The Greek stories and legends portrayed animal characters too. Romans were opposed to portraying animal characters in their stories and legends.

• Romans appeared to have given more place to practicality than Greeks. For example, they built roads.

• Both Greeks and Romans were great architects, but Greeks were better mathematicians.

• Greeks divided the system of their society into categories of slaves, free men, metics, citizens, and women. Roman society consisted of Free Men, Slaves, Patricians, and Plebeians.

 

Images Courtesy:

1. Roman soldier via Pixabay (Public Domain)
2. Greek soldier via Wikicommons (Public Domain)