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Ancient Greece During the Greek Golden Age, art flourished and philosophy was born. Although this ancient world has long since seen its demise, the Greeks left influential footprints on western culture. They were the first ancient civilization that truly displayed humanistic qualities such as respect for knowledge, indulgence in the arts and the desire to better themselves instead of falling to their knees before deranged monarchs and mythical “storyland” Gods. [And] Even though the Greek empire wasn’t all sugar and spice, they are the only prehistoric culture that can be closely linked to our modern society. The similarities (such as self indulgence, slavery, and gay pride) between their “Golden Age” and our western world today are countless. Through the works of Greek artists, playwrights, and philosophers, one can examine timeless metaphysical conflicts such as; good vs. evil, order vs. chaos, stability vs. flux, relativism vs. absolutism and cosmic balance and harmony. The Greeks were materialists. Their self-indulging ideals were expressed in the excessive regard for beautiful, worldly things and concerns. They used their art to show the glory of man. The sculptors of the Golden Age aimed to create graceful, st