Can someone explain the relationship of the decline of Greek civilization to the rise of the Roman Empire?
The decline of Greek civilization was beginning around the time Rome was expanding as a Mediterranean power. Athens and Sparta had both passed their zenith, and with Alexander’s death the Hellenistic based empire he created was torn into separate kingdoms by his surviving generals. Greece itself, not one of the richer parts of that empire, began to fall into decline. Meantime Romans were becoming familiar with Greek culture through contact with Greek colonies in the southern part of Italy. The Romans admired many of the aspects of Greek culture, and readily adapted them into their own culture. However, the Romans maintained their own cultural Identity as well, including their martial code and their tendency to prefer the practical over the theoretical. The result of all this was that as Greece and classical greek civilization was declining, Rome was growing and spreading eastwards. The Greeks, while still formidable warriors in many cases, lacked the unity to face Rome as they had the
