1. Greek and Roman Origins: Classical draws its roots from ancient Greece and Rome, where it emerged during the 5th century BC in Greece and later spread to the Roman Empire.
2. Humanism: Classical thought emphasizes the importance of the individual and human agency. It promotes the belief in human potential and the power of reason and education to achieve intellectual and moral excellence.
3. Harmony and Proportion: Classical art and architecture are characterized by a focus on balance, symmetry, and proportion. Aesthetics and beauty are pursued through rational principles and mathematical ratios.
4. Realism and Naturalism: Classical art often portrays subjects in a realistic and naturalistic manner, capturing the essence and form of nature and the human figure.
5. Idealization: Classical art and literature often depict idealized forms, representing the pursuit of perfection and embodying timeless universal truths.
6. Civic Engagement: Classical thought stresses the importance of active participation in civic life, promoting responsible citizenship and involvement in public affairs.
7. Rhetoric and Persuasion: Classical rhetoric, rooted in ancient Greek and Roman practices, emphasizes the art of persuasion and the effective use of language in public speaking and writing.
8. Philosophy: Classical philosophy, stemming from the works of ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, explored fundamental questions about the nature of reality, ethics, politics, and the human condition.
9. Epic and Tragic Literature: Classical literature includes works such as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Greek tragedies by Sophocles and Euripides, and the works of Virgil and Ovid from ancient Rome. These writings explore themes of heroism, love, destiny, and the human experience.
10. Civic Architecture: Classical architecture is evident in iconic structures such as the Parthenon in Greece and the Colosseum in Rome, which showcase grandeur, civic pride, and the pursuit of monumental design.
11. Cultural Continuity: Classical ideas have endured and been adapted by later civilizations and cultures, shaping Western thought, arts, and society throughout the centuries.
Overall, classical refers to timeless principles of beauty, rationality, human potential, and civic responsibility, which have left an indelible mark on the development of Western civilization.