Roman Legacy: Language, Roads, and Engineering Marvels
The Evolution of Latin
In the Romance Languages from Latin
The colloquial Latin that was spoken at home, in the street, and by the army evolved very differently from the formal, literary Latin, which remained relatively unchanged. Differences between the Latin spoken in different areas increased over time. As the Roman Empire fragmented, some territories were colonized by barbarian tribes, who contributed influences from their own languages. That is why the disappearance and transformation of Latin
Read MoreAncient Greek and Roman Architecture and Sculpture
The Parthenon
The Parthenon is a religious temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. It is made of white marble. This lintel building was a temple dedicated to Athena, later a mosque, a Christian church, and then a powder magazine for the Turks. It is rectangular and rises above three steps. It is an octastyle, amphiprostyle, and peripteral temple. It has a pronaos and an opisthodomos. The technique is lintel, with Doric columns without bases, capitals with fluting, and the temple is simply polychromed.
Read MoreSpanish Literature Since the 1970s: Trends and Key Authors
0. Introduction
Although the 1970s began almost with the oil crisis that would shake Western economies for over a decade, the major historical event that marked this period in Spain was the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. With Franco’s death occurred the so-called transition to democracy: 1977, the legalization of political parties; 1978, the promulgation of the Constitution; 1981, a failed coup; NATO in 1982; and the European Community in 1986. Also, the democratic period saw the decentralization
Read MoreSpanish Poetry: Mid-20th Century Trends and Evolution
Spanish Poetry from the Mid-Twentieth Century
ITEM 12: POETRY FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
Spanish Poetry After the Civil War
At the end of the war, the outlook for culture was bleak: death, exile, humiliation, or silence. The year 1939 effectively marked a year zero for poetry in Spain. With Lorca and Machado dead, and much of the Generation of ’27 in exile, the Silver Age had reached its tragic end. This resulted in a twofold division in culture: firstly, those in exile, defeated and
Read MoreAncient Greek Literature: Homer’s Iliad and Epic Poetry
Ancient Greek Literature: From Homeric Epics to the Iliad
Homeric or Achaean Period
This period produced the first literary works, both epic and lyric.
Dolicho-Ionian Period
Epic poetry appears to be the first manifestation, encompassing the stories of heroes and myths (the history of the gods). It manifests in heroic poetry (the history and exploits of heroes) and didactic poetry (intended to teach). The taste for rhythmic combinations and the progress of music determine the appearance of lyric monody
Read MoreMiguel Hernández: Life, Work, and Legacy of a Spanish Poet
Miguel Hernández: A Literary Luminary
Miguel Hernández Gilabert, born in Orihuela, Alicante, on October 30, 1910, was a poet and playwright of great relevance in 20th-century Spanish literature. He belonged to the famous Generation of ’27.
Early Life and Literary Beginnings
He was the second son in a large and humble family. At 15, he started to work because of the precarious family finances. Despite his work in the field, he did not abandon reading; in fact, the hours in the field favored passionate
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