From the 6th to the middle of the 4th cent BC, the Greek Civilization, connected to freedom, is bordering on perfection, introducing scientific research and the Greek Thought
The results of recent excavations and other studies lead to a general conclusion that both the Mycenaean as well as the later Minoan Civilizations, after 1400 B. C., are Hellenic Civilizations. Greek Civilization since prehistoric times has incessantly continued developing, in spite of the inevitable suspensions caused by earthquakes, fires and invasions.
In the classical times Greek Civilization is culturally fully integrated, bordering on perfection, if indeed there can be perfection in human matters.
The outstanding features characterizing Greek culture may not be found elsewhere. Greek Thought was the first to introduce Scientific Research. It was the Greeks who first attempted to explain the causes of phenomena. Leading contemporary scientists accept that the Greek philosopher Democritus with his physical theories expressed concepts, prophetically true, that fall within the scope of modern experiments in atomic energy.
The works of Hippocrates (460-377 BC) are today studied not only by those who wish to indulge in special historical investigations on the development of medical science. Many of Hippocrates' theories form the basis of modern medicine.
The tragedies of Aeschylus (525-456 BC), Sophocles (496-405 BC) and Euripides (480-407 BC) touch on topics of psychoanalysis which modern science has only recently begun investigating.
The theories of Pythagoras (585-500 BC), Socrates (468-400 BC), Plato (429-347 BC), and Aristoteles (384-322 BC) constitute the foundations of modern philosophy.
Furthermore, without the achievements in applied Science, Astronomy, Physics and Mathematics, it would have been quite impossible to explore the Atlantic Ocean in 325 B. C. and discover the island Thule, probably modern Iceland, as did the Greek Ocean navigator Pytheas of Marseilles. This astronomer had very accurately determined the geographical latitude of his native town Marseilles (Massalia), a Greek colony.
These facts may be mentioned as connected to freedom of thought and propagating scientific research. This liberty can be appreciated in all its extent when contrasted, for example, with events taking place twenty two centuries later, when in the era of Christianity the Florentine physicist and astronomer Galileo was persecuted and imprisoned by the Holy Inquisition, in the name of religion and Jesus Christ, because he had declared that our planet, Earth, is not motionless but revolves around the sun.