Top 10 famous Greek People


 

The Greeks have cemented their name in history by heavily influencing and contributing to the world’s art, theatre, culture, philosophy, music, science, medicine, politics, and many other spheres. It is no surprise therefore that most of its famous people are lauded for their contribution to these very areas. Their discoveries and contributions still influence and are referred to in today’s world.

Here’s a list of the top 10 famous Greek people.

1. Plato

Bust of Plato- by Dudva- Wikimedia Commons

Plato’s name is synonymous with ancient philosophy- he is one of the most popular philosophers that was under the tutelage of Socrates. Plato’s family was a big influence on his career and life path- he came from a line of people into Athenian politics. He however changed his course after Socrates was executed.

Plato’s place of birth is Athens, Greece, and he was born around 428 or 423 BC.

Amongst the great things Plato is credited with is the establishment of the Academy in Athens which was the first institution of higher education in the Western World. He also authored some philosophy books and has recorded dialogues spanning topics such as logic, mathematics, ethics, and of course philosophy.

2. Hippocrates

Hippocrates’ bust- by J.G de Lint – Wikimedia Commons

Hippocrates is credited with the establishment of the distinct field of medicine, and the upgrade of medical practice in Greece. He established the Hippocratic School of Medicine.

He was one of the earliest influential figures in the history of medicine as he made some remarkable medical discoveries that have set medical standards, taking root in his lifetime to date.

Hippocrates helped move the world around him from the ancient widespread belief that sickness and disease were a result of the wrath of the gods, to the fact that it’s from natural causes.

There is the Hippocratic Oath, which is an oath of ethics historically taken by physicians. As its name suggests, Hippocrates came up with it, originally requiring Physicians to swear by some healing Gods as well as uphold some standards. Today, however, the oath taken is to among other things treat the ill to the best of one’s ability, preserve a patient’s privacy, and teach the secrets of medicine to the next generation.

You will find a lot of medical literature by Hippocrates.

3. Euclid

Statue of Euclid- by Mark A. Wilson- Wikimedia Commons

Euclid of Alexandria is regarded as the father of geometry. His book, Elements, gave birth to basic geometry in concept and essence. ‘Elements’ is regarded as one of the most successful and influential books ever written, after the Bible, in terms of the number of editions published since its first printing.

The basis of all of today’s modern Mathematics is thanks to Euclid’s postulations, definitions, propositions, and proofs. Euclid is known for five general axioms, and five geometrical Postulates applied in Mathematics even today.

While not a lot is known about Euclid’s life, his work has made a big enough name for itself. He was one of the earliest mathematicians to ever live, extremely influential, and actively involved in the library of Alexandria around the time that Ptolemy I ruled.

4. Archimedes

Archimedes- Wikimedia Commons

When he discovered the principle of buoyancy while taking a bath, Archimedes is said to have run down the streets of Syracuse yelling “Eureka! Eureka!” his nakedness notwithstanding! He was a famous Greek Mathematician that also wore many other hats- an engineer, philosopher, physicist, and astronomer.

His principle of buoyancy states that the buoyant force of a submerged object is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. This principle is popular even today and is in fact, a foundation for the laws of physics.

Archimedes’ inventions included the Archimedes’ screw that helped a great deal in irrigation- it was rotated by a windmill or through manual labor, turning to scoop water up and move it all the way to the irrigation ditches in the fields. The odometer, the pulley system, and the lever are all credited to Archimedes. Special mention goes to the ancient iron claw invented by Archimedes. This claw would topple warships approaching to attack the city of Syracuse hence a big help during war times. Archimedes also invented many other war machines hence was a great resource for Syracuse.

5. Leonidas I

Leonidas’ statue- by Dmpexr- Wikimedia Commons

This famous Spartan king makes it to our list of the top 10 famous Greek people as his epic leadership against the Persians at the battle of Thermopylae had not been witnessed before. At this battle, 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians defended Sparta for three days straight as the Persians sought to invade it. The Persian army was said to be composed of two million soldiers!  Leonidas had however been groomed for this all his life- all Spartans would train for battle from the time they were young. Leonidas’ greatness was also assumed to be from his lineage. He was said to be a descendant of Hercules who was famous for his strength and skill.

Leonidas not only makes our list of the top 10 famous Greek people, but his story is told down generations to inspire training, experience, and tactical use of terrain to conquer regardless of the size and might of an adversary.

6. Pythagoras

Pythagoras’ bust- by Szilas- Wikimedia Commons

You may have come across or heard of the Pythagoras theorem in books or in school. This concept is used in calculating the area of a triangle. It was a creation of Pythagoras, one of the first Greek philosophers. Like Leonidas I, his life path was drawn early on. He is said to have spent his early days closely learning from the greatest mathematicians and astronomers at the time from whom he gathered their inmost teachings. During this time he was also able to recite epics by Homer from memory.

With a clear life path set before him, Pythagoras traveled to the few centers of knowledge and philosophy at the time, gathering knowledge from the most powerful contemporary civilizations. He became a force to reckon with and was even thought of, and worshipped as an incarnation of Apollo; a god. About 300 people tagged along with him, forming a cult that followed Pythagoras!

Pythagoras (with his cult) is credited with many mathematical and philosophical principles. They proposed that the earth revolved around the sun, way before it was actually proven by greats like Galileo and Copernicus.

Pythagoras caused such a stir. The cult and worshipping of his person led to his killing by an angry mob who burnt him to death!

Fun fact, Pythagoras was a self- taught lyre player! He is considered the first of the great Greek philosophers.

7. Aristotle

Aristotle’s bust-by Jastrow- Wikimedia Commons

Aristotle was the youngest philosopher who was mentored by Plato and went on to be the first person to create a comprehensive system of philosophy which included several essential aspects and virtues. With this kind of influence in his life and study, one can only imagine the greatness in Aristotle. He was among the greats that laid a foundation for Western philosophy but he was a polymath.

Aristotle had a refreshing view on physical science and greatly influenced the scholarship of the Middle Ages, whose impact lasted as late as the Renaissance after which the concepts were replaced by Newtonian physics.

Aristotle tutored the likes of Alexander the Great. However his own mentor Plato would be the proudest as Aristotle works’ surpassed Plato’s- he greatly influenced morality, aesthetics, logic, science, politics, and metaphysics.  Additionally and surprisingly so, Aristotle was a poet, whose creative works spanned a variety of subjects. He also wrote for the theatre, wrote music and rhetoric.

This great Philosopher was a revolutionary- some of his concepts and assumptions in zoology that are currently very popular were made by him many centuries ago and only proven accurate in the 19th century- Aristotle was clearly ahead of his time.

8. Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great with Aristotle- by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris- Wikimedia Commons

Alexander the Great as already established learned his craft from Aristotle. He had to take up political duties at his father’s death- he inherited the Macedonian throne in 336 BC. In this role, Alexander is credited with many heroic acts that earned him comparisons to the gods- he was said to be the son of Zeus! He has also been associated with Hercules and Perseus.

Alexander the Great launched his father’s military expansion plans- he established himself as a battle-hardened general who accomplished a lot within the short time that he lived.  He was responsible for destroying Persia after several battles. His ambition to conquer led him to invasions as far as India and Asia. He still is a powerful leader that military leaders look up to. His intention was to actually conquer the world!

9. Socrates

Statue of Socrates- by Costis 66- Wikimedia Commons

The name Socrates is associated with the field of ethics as he made major contributions in this field. His works lived on through the works of Plato, his student. He however was a classical philosopher, lauded as one of the most influential founders of Western Philosophy.

Socrates’ works, beliefs, and philosophical views were rather controversial at the time and got him charged with the corruption of youth and impiety.

For his works, Socrates paid dearly, but Gladys so. He was sentenced to death by poisoning! He was an outlier whose beliefs rarely aligned with the days’ philosophies on morals, ethics, politics, and intellect.

10. Homer

Homer’s bust- by Marie-Lan Nguyen – Wikimedia Commons

Two of the greatest poems ever written are the ‘Iliad and ‘Odyssey’, authored by Homer. These are still relevant today, which is quite the feat, for a man who lived more than 2,800 years ago. Western Literature heavily borrows from Homer’s aforementioned works. His poetry is the symbolic roadmap to world mythology. Homers’ works have also influenced artists, and continue to inspire literature and give the world a view of ancient Greek life.

 

Western civilization draws great influences from the ancient Greeks. Philosophical, social, ethical, and scientific advances in the world may draw from ancient Greek civilization, championed by these top 10 famous Greek people. From modern science, mathematics, art, and governance, these Greeks have truly influenced the world!

 

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