Ancient Greece and Globalization: A Historical Perspective

.....Now think about Greece’s position in history. To bring to mind an example of the importance of Greece’s placement in the historical time frame we look back to the time of Alexander the Great, and we can start to see why Greece has been influenced and also influenced others in the world. Alexander the Great’s Empire expanded from Greece all the way to India at its peak. This means that Greece had an influence on people with ancestors from the Ottoman Empire and the ancient Indians as well. Alexander’s Empire even reached northern Egypt. This is where Alexander would establish his Hellenistic center in Egypt, called Alexandria. Alexandria would become the largest city in the ancient world within a century of its establishment. Alexandria would become the center of commerce, specifically linking Arabia and India with the Mediterranean and the Aegean cultures. Greece, as a result, was being influenced by all of these people as well. To point out a specific example of the east’s influence on the west we can look at Alexander himself, who took a wife of Persian descent. This is a very good example of how cultures started to mingle and create a sort of “global community”; a true combination of diverse cultures that are interacting with each other, with Alexandria at its foundation.
Alexandria would become the center of Alexander the Great’s Empire and for some time the center of the ancient world, just as Rome was the center of the Roman Empire during the time of Julius Caesar and the emperors following him. The point is, our “global centers” shift, and now we have come to a time when the world revolves around what happens in the United States, and specifically New York City.
The United States is the pinnacle among countries throughout the world today regarding education, standard of living, and policy making, just like Alexandria was for its time. The United States is the world’s foremost power, and much of our power stems from what happens in New York City. Since much of today’s “power” is based on economic status, New York City could be seen as a modern day Alexandria; while ancient Alexandria traded goods from many nations New York’s Wall Street and stock exchange trade stocks, bonds, currencies, and other forms of intangible wealth. New York has become the global epicenter for international commerce.
Being a center for globalization meant that Greece was subject to the practices and different cultures of its time. A very good example is observed through the impact that the Byzantine Empire had on Greece. The Byzantine Museum in Athens recalls the history of Christianity and its spread throughout the Roman Empire. Greece, being part of that Roman Empire, was directly influenced religiously during that time period. The Byzantine Museum had paintings and artwork that are very similar to all of that which I have seen in Greek churches. A good example of this artwork is observed when looking at the paintings of Jesus in the Byzantine museum. The most obvious comparison is noticed in the golden-like halo that encompasses Jesus’ head. There is also a strong comparison in the colors and tones of the paintings. You can see firsthand the direct influence that Roman culture and policy had on the Greeks. This policy still is intact today when you think that the Greek Orthodox Church is the national religion, which can trace its foundation to that Byzantine time period. Like ancient Greece, the United States has become subject to a diverse group of cultural practices.
A prime example of the cultural diversity can be observed while shopping in Greece. Shopping has allowed me to notice that there is relatively little clothing that doesn’t have English on it. Another example of diverse culture is that Volos has a Starbucks coffee. In the United States, the most respected clothing lines are those from Italy, such as Versace, Armani, and Dolce and Gabbana. Companies with their base in the United States have factories in India, Vietnam, Thailand, and all over Southeast Asia. Like ancient Greece, the United States and its culture influence other countries but, it is also heavily influenced by other countries and cultures as well.
Greece has been influenced by many cultures throughout its long and ancient history. Greece’s location geographically in the ancient world made it a prime site for trade and commerce, as well as lending itself as this link between the Eastern cultures of Persia and India and Western cultures such as the Romans. Historically, Greece has been conquered and inhabited by these same societies. The impact of being a powerful empire spreading throughout the ancient world and sometimes being conquered itself has left Greece with a cultural diversity that can only be explained as globalization. The sharing of cultural practices and people from Greece’s history truly exemplifies what I believe was ancient globalization.
Just as every empire rose to its peak, they collapsed to be taken over by another culture. Hammurabi was taken over by the Persian king, Cyrus the Great. Alexander was defeated due to extending himself too far into India. Rome was overthrown by the barbarians from Gaul. We can trace much of our current situation here in the United States to similar ancient situations. In the Unites States we must truly pay attention to what has happened to previous world powers including the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantium civilizations. It seems as though the world is coming to a crossroads. Issues such as Global Warming, world poverty, and corporate power are bringing people together to call for action. The United States needs to make sure that it is the frontrunner in policy making and decisions. The decisions that are made must take into account the world as a whole; we are becoming a “global community.” The trick is to make sure that our government can represent our people, while not creating injustices for others. We can learn from ancient Greece and perhaps understand what actions should be taken.

Sam S.