Changes

Greece was responsible for much of modern [[democracy]], [[philosophy]], [[mathematics]], and [[science]], as well as a great deal of art and the introduction of the [[Olympic Games]].  Ancient Greek works had a great influence on the [[Rome|Romans]].  By the time of [[Christ]], Greek was the dominant language and literary form of the day even though Greece itself had been conquered by Rome.  Many of the early missionary journies were into Greek areas and all of the epistles that [[Paul]] wrote were to churches set up in Greek lands.  Paul's philosophical discussions in [[Athens]] and the belief of the people that he was [[Zeus]], all tied into the Greek culture of the day as well as the [[New Testament]] books themselves being written in [[Greek language|Greek]] and using a Greek translated [[Old Testament]] ([[Septuagint]]).  Ancient Church Fathers were careful to draw a distinction between Greek culture and the unique message of [[Christianity]] that was meant for all.<ref>As [[Tertullian]] said, "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?"</ref>

Greece was responsible for much of modern [[democracy]], [[philosophy]], [[mathematics]], and [[science]], as well as a great deal of art and the introduction of the [[Olympic Games]].  Ancient Greek works had a great influence on the [[Rome|Romans]].  By the time of [[Christ]], Greek was the dominant language and literary form of the day even though Greece itself had been conquered by Rome.  Many of the early missionary journies were into Greek areas and all of the epistles that [[Paul]] wrote were to churches set up in Greek lands.  Paul's philosophical discussions in [[Athens]] and the belief of the people that he was [[Zeus]], all tied into the Greek culture of the day as well as the [[New Testament]] books themselves being written in [[Greek language|Greek]] and using a Greek translated [[Old Testament]] ([[Septuagint]]).  Ancient Church Fathers were careful to draw a distinction between Greek culture and the unique message of [[Christianity]] that was meant for all.<ref>As [[Tertullian]] said, "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?"</ref>

The ancient Greek consciousness made a common reference to the [[Trojan War]] as the point of cultural origin, and self-awareness as a society in works such as the [[Illiad]] and the [[Odyssey]].   

The ancient Greek consciousness made a common reference to the [[Trojan War]] as the point of cultural origin, and self-awareness as a society in works such as the [[Iliad]] and the [[Odyssey]].   

While it was independent, the ancient Greek world never unified into a central polity.  Rather, individual city-states fought for dominion over many centuries, fighting with one another as to who would be prominent.  This was especially true between Athens and [[Sparta]].  But while they fought amongst themselves, when a foreign entity sought to invade, such as the [[Persian Empire]], the Greeks would come together in a unity seldom rivaled in history.  [[Alexander the Great]] of [[Macedonia]] would eventually subdue Greece along with almost the entire known world at the time, but that would only lead to the spreading of Greek culture as Macedon was Hellenistic in nature and Greece was once again "free" after his death.  Rome eventually put an end to ancient Greek independence, but not its influence.

While it was independent, the ancient Greek world never unified into a central polity.  Rather, individual city-states fought for dominion over many centuries, fighting with one another as to who would be prominent.  This was especially true between Athens and [[Sparta]].  But while they fought amongst themselves, when a foreign entity sought to invade, such as the [[Persian Empire]], the Greeks would come together in a unity seldom rivaled in history.  [[Alexander the Great]] of [[Macedonia]] would eventually subdue Greece along with almost the entire known world at the time, but that would only lead to the spreading of Greek culture as Macedon was Hellenistic in nature and Greece was once again "free" after his death.  Rome eventually put an end to ancient Greek independence, but not its influence.