Why are the Greeks in this game?

[Reginleif]

I use to admire ancient Greek culture when I was a young man, but as I matured and read more about the world`s history I slowly became more and more irritated by the aura surrounding them. We are told that their accomplishments set the basis of Western art, philosophy, government, and society, but I found these statements to be either a legacy of 19th century thinking, propaganda, worthless to begin with (art & philosophy), or a lie.
I have posted previous statements discussing this topic, but the responses I received were mostly nonsensical rants and comments of absurdity. I`m not opposed to having a greek playable faction, I just do not like the absolute hypocrisy people have when criticizing other civilizations, as in the case of the Aztecs (There city states!), Iroquois (There not a large empire!) and Songhai or Siam (There a regional power!).

 

[Maniacal]

The Greeks, and especially Hellenistic culture did have a huge effect on the ancient world (of the Mediterranean and middle east) and the Romans. While they certainly have more than their fair share of coverage as people have studied them far more than most other civilizations, they still deserve to be in the game.

 

[imperialman]

My face and right ankle hurt after reading this.

 

[Thormodr]

Greece is still one of the foundations of Western Civilization so I think they should be included. The cultural legacy they left behind along with their accomplishments in many other areas makes them a worthy addition.

I do agree that there are a certain group of people that like to bash certain cultures for not being "civilized enough" in their eyes. That's clearly wrong and tiring to see the same crap spouted over and over again.

 

[Iberian]

The were the worlds super power during their time. What more do you want? Any nation that was number 1 in the ENTIRE WORLD deserves to be in the game.

 

[cr0ws]

The greeks didn't sacrifice their people to their devil deity....unlike the axtec...nuff said.

 

[Zhahz]

3/10 at best.

 

[MisterBarca]

My face and right ankle hurt after reading this.

I severely strained my abdomen muscles. I won't be able to walk or do much the next few days

 

[Thormodr]

The greeks didn't sacrifice their people to their devil deity....unlike the axtec...nuff said.

The Greeks abandoned children and the men commonly had sexual relations with young boys.
Enough said.

 

[MisterBarca]

The Greeks abandoned children and the men commonly had sexual relations with young boys.
Enough said.

Homosexuality is now on par with human sacrifice?

 

[SammyKhalifa]

The Greeks abandoned children and the men commonly had sexual relations with young boys.
Enough said.

The Spartans had a designated baby-throwin' cliff.

 

[Odindusk]

(There city states!), Iroquois (There not a large empire!) and Songhai or Siam (There a regional power!).

I registered just to be able to beg you to please learn the difference between:

there
their
they're

Thank you.

EDIT: ok, ok... that's not the only reason. I've been lurking here for some time and I'm fully excited for Civ5!

 

[GeoModder]

I don't think either of those practices were limited to the Greek men of the time, Thormodr.

 

[SammyKhalifa]

Homosexuality is now on par with human sacrifice?

I think he was referring to the pedophilia.

 

[MisterBarca]

I think he was referring to the pedophilia.

To begin with, there is still no moral equivalence between pedophilia in its worst forms and human sacrifice/cannibalism--which is really the ultimate in barbarism.

Moreover, the Greek practice of pairing youths with older mentors was consensual and served a variety of civic functions. I do not want to get too pedantic in a game forum, but one should read scholarly accounts like Paul Ludwig's Eros and Polis before making cocksure judgments about the practice.

 

[Maniacal]

You can find something "disturbingly wrong" with nearly every culture/people/nation/civilization/etc.

Look at your garbage can for starters.

 

[SammyKhalifa]

Moreover, the Greek practice of pairing youths with older mentors was consensual and served a variety of civic functions. I do not want to get too pedantic in a game forum, but one should read scholarly accounts like Paul Ludwig's Eros and Polis before making cocksure judgments about the practice.

True enough that it's pretty hard to judge them based on modern moral code. But I'm pretty confident that the poster wasn't referring to the homosexuality aspect of the practice as you had implied.

But more to the point, such practices are not a reason to include/exclude a civilization.

 

[Thormodr]

Homosexuality is now on par with human sacrifice?

I never said that. Having sex with underaged children is a problem in my opinion. Homosexuality is something entirely different.

 

[Zechnophobe]

I can't believe they include America in this game. Don't they know that they almost single-handedly killed off the native peoples of North America, and took huge amounts of slaves? This barbaric 'nation' should never exist in a game like this.


...

 

[Thormodr]

To begin with, there is still no moral equivalence between pedophilia in its worst forms and human sacrifice/cannibalism--which is really the ultimate in barbarism.

Moreover, the Greek practice of pairing youths with older mentors was consensual and served a variety of civic functions. I do not want to get too pedantic in a game forum, but one should read scholarly accounts like Paul Ludwig's Eros and Polis before making cocksure judgments about the practice.

They are both disgusting, abhorrent practices in my opinion. NAMBLA certainly supports your position anyway. Congrats.

The ancient Greeks had no great moral authority over other cultures including the Aztecs.