Antiikmaailma

Antiikmaailma, meaning "ancient world" in Estonian, refers to the classical period of history encompassing the cultures and civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome. This era, generally considered to span from the Archaic period of Greece (c. 800 BCE) to the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 CE), laid the foundational principles for much of Western civilization.

Greek civilization, originating in the city-states of the Aegean, developed significant advancements in philosophy, democracy, art, architecture, and literature. Thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle profoundly influenced Western thought, while playwrights such as Sophocles and Euripides created timeless works. Greek art and architecture, exemplified by the Parthenon, established aesthetic standards that continue to be admired.

The Roman civilization, initially a republic and later an empire, inherited and adapted many aspects of Greek culture. Rome excelled in engineering, law, military organization, and administration, creating a vast empire that facilitated the spread of its influence. Roman achievements include the Colosseum, aqueducts, and the development of Roman law, which forms the basis of many modern legal systems. The Latin language, spoken by the Romans, evolved into the Romance languages. The interaction and eventual merging of Greek and Roman cultures created a distinct classical heritage that has shaped Western history, politics, and culture for millennia.