The answer is of course that the influence was huge: Roman copies of canonic Greek masterpieces ensued, there were aesthetic influences in the decoration of sanctuaries and funerary monuments, while every-day domestic objects mimicked Greek styles too.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson is to be joined by popular historian Bettany Hughes and head teachers from primary and secondary schools across the city at London’s City Hall tomorrow to launch a new drive to boost classical education in state schools. But is there any point teaching a dead language to already-bored kids?
The tousle-haired Tory studied Classics at Oxford as an undergraduate, and has long talked-up how beneficial a good understanding of classical history can be when it comes to getting to grips with modern politics. In the past he’s called for every child to be taught Latin, and even written a book, The Dream of Rome – made into a documentary by the BBC in 2006 – comparing the European Union with the Roman Empire.
The Ancient Greeks gave us many things which western civilisation is built upon - democracy, cartography, astronomy, mathematics and the fundamentals of classical architecture. And the home of the finest example of classical Greek architecture is at the site of the Acropolis in Athens - the wonder that is the Parthenon.
Nine speakers from universities in Ontario and New York State will present their research on the ancient Aegean. The event is free if you have a museum membership - non-members will have to pay the usual museum admission fee.
The event will be held in the Eaton theatre, and is sponsored by the museum, the Hellenic Republic of Greece, Greek Communities of Canada and the Archaeology Centre at the University of Toronto.
The Ancient Greeks gave us many things which western civilisation is built upon - 
Snow-weary Toronto residents are set to get some Aegean relief this Saturday. The 
