The Historical Greek world has a lot to show us nonetheless. The best good, the final word advantage in historic Greek society was civic engagement – contributing to the frequent good of the town and of society at massive. For instance, the wealthiest of the residents had been anticipated to fund the constructing of “triremes” battleships to guard the town, or to host non secular festivals and banquets. Within the Tholos of the Historical Agora, a committee of ‘Prytaneis’ – govt representatives – would serve the town, with every tribe taking turns. Everybody had their half to play for the frequent good.
Because of this now we have so many phrases at this time stemming from the Historical Greek phrase “polis”- πόλις. The phrase meant “metropolis” nevertheless it encompassed a lot extra. ‘Polis’ means not simply the city area however the thought of society.
Polis – in Historical Greece
In Historical Greece, the phrase ‘Polis’ indicated a city-state – similar to Sparta and Athens – a self-governing unit, unbiased of anybody else. Nevertheless it additionally meant way more; the phrase polis additionally encompassed the ideas of each the rights and the obligations of the residents. Listed here are a number of the acquainted makes use of of “polis”, animating comparable ideas as the basis of many phrases in English that describe the connection of the person to the group.
Ermoupolis, “Constantinople”, Ouranoupolis, Tripoli….
“Polis” varieties the bottom of many metropolis names at this time, inside Greece and past. The capital of the Cyclades, on Syros, is known as Ermoupoli- the town of Hermes, the God of Commerce. At this time’s Istanbul was for hundreds of years Constantinople, the town of Constantine, the Christian Roman Emperor. Ouranoupoli, a metropolis within the Halkidiki peninsula, is the “Metropolis of the Sky” (“Ouranos” = heavens, sky). Tripoli, in Libya, is so known as because it as soon as was three cities: Oea, Sabratha and Leptis Magna.
Politics – Political – Politician
The “Politis” was the citizen in historic Greek, a resident of the town, and in addition one thing more- a participant within the collective lifetime of the town. At this time the identical phrase is utilized in trendy Greek. Politics are the connection of the residents to 1 one other and to the state, the “Polis”.
Police
The phrase for these keepers of public order additionally derives from “polis”. It involves us by way of the phrase “Politia” – the Latin phrase for presidency, as derived from Historical Greek. Police within the sense that we use it at this time has been in utilization for the reason that nineteenth century.
Metropolis – Metropolitan
It is a stunning phrase, combining two phrases pricey to the Greek soul – “Metro” comes from “μητρο” – the basis for “μητέρα” (mitera) – “mom.” The Metropolis is the “Mom metropolis”. We additionally use the phrase in “Metropolitan” – the Metropolitan cathedral is the principle cathedral in a metropolis. And naturally, metropolitan transit – how usually we use the phrase “Metro” with out considering of the phrase “mom”.
Cosmopolis – Cosmopolitan
“Cosmos” in historic Greek means “world”. A cosmopolis is a metropolis inhabited by individuals from everywhere in the world – a “world metropolis” as we’d say, similar to London, or New York. Somebody who’s “cosmopolitan” is a citizen of the world, a complicated one who is accustomed to numerous habits, cultures, and customs. Equally, a cosmopolitan outlook signifies a broad familiarity with the cultures of the world, slightly than a slim and provincial perspective.
Monopoly
On this acquainted phrase, the poly means one thing totally different – the basis is from the Greek phrase “polein” for “to promote”. A monopoly is the one entity promoting one thing. And ‘solely” is counter to the Greek notion of a politis – a citizen. The following phrase makes that concept clear.
Fool
To us, this implies an individual missing in intelligence. However the historic Greek phrase “idiotis” comes from “idios”- non-public, ‘personal’. In different phrases, the ‘idiotis’ is a non-public one who is appearing aside from the collective – one thing that in historic Greece was delinquent, and due to this fact regarded as an indication of ignorance or foolishness. It’s the reverse, in essence, of the citizen.
Polis and Civilization within the trendy world
So wealthy in that means, the phrases from ‘polis’ – similar to politics, metropolis, cosmopolitan – outline a lot greater than ideas associated to city area. From Historical Greece, now we have the idea of society. Whenever you go to Athens, have you ever observed the parallels between the ideas that formed Historical Greek society and the way in which we dwell now?
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