Asian Studies

While the heroic stories of Greeks renowned men spoke of blood and killings, the Chineses legendary people spoke of morality (Keightley, pp 19-20). The mentioned comparison suggests that the two civilizations are morally, philosophically, and wholly different from each other even if they have somewhat similar era of emerging into a social group of people. To address the main question, we must first take into consideration the factors that entirely made the values and cultural style of China different from those of the Near East and of Ancient Greece. On a shallow level, geography can be attributed to the distinction of ancient Chinese culture from the others. Keightley explained that Chinas geographical position and population inhibited other cultures from permeating Chinese territory. The Chinese relatively did not need help and resources outside their country because their geographical location did not require them to do so. Their main goal was to preserve their culture and their lineage. 

However, the geography of China is merely a small part of the reason. Keightley adds that access to lineage support, ancestral power, and divinatory reassurance would have been more important and more inheritable than mere claims on unpeopled, and thus unworkable property (p.49). In other words, the differences of ancient Chinese culture to that of ancient Greece should not be solely attributed to Chinas geography. Chinese culture valued the singular movement of people it required their people to take into consideration the welfare of the whole nation before doing anything.
  The Chinese protected their culture and were not open to many changes. They have close family ties just like the rest of the Asians. Not too many foreigners were able to influence and write or put in new cultures to their land thus making the process unsuccessful. This could be the reason that their original cultural style was never totally changed. 

On the other hand, individualism was a central component in the lives of the Greek people. . Due to the entrance of merchants from different countries, new cultures were also introduced to ancient Greece and Near East. It was, in one way or another, a form of colonization to ancient Greece and ancient Near East. With the entrance of foreign merchants, their inherited cultural values and style were also marred. The Chinese culture also experienced evolution but a much slower rate the respect they had for their own culture did not permit them to make the slightest deviation.    The Greeks permitted their people to achieve and be recognized as individuals the Chinese put emphasis on the effect of the achievement of a certain person but hardly on the person.

    The artworks produced during ancient civilizations of Greece and China exemplify the individualism and collectivism manifested in the respective cultures.  An Eastern Chou Chinese vase was unearthed in which individuals were depicted as stereotypical silhouettes, whose actions had vague meanings. On the ancient Greek vase that was unearthed at around the same period, Achilles and Penthesilicia could easily be identified and their actions were easily discernable. 
Heroes in Ancient China did not gain personal credit for their actions.  It was enough reassurance that their heroic acts contributed a great deal to the states welfare. Besides, an Ancient Chinese hero fought for someone of greater power.  The decision to commit a heroic act is a collective decision.  Ancient Chinese society dictates that a bureaucratic chain of command protects the initiator from the shock and consequences of his deeds (p.19). The hero acts as a delegate, not for himself.  Ancient Greeks, on the other hand, fought for individual honor, like Achilles had done.

    Strong familial ties and the hierarchical social structure also contributed to Ancient Chinas sense of collectivism. The Chinese have a notable respect for death because for them, it is a way of reaffirming the social status of a person. In fact, death was an accepted phase in ones life because it provided an opportunity for the living to reaffirm their values and stature in life. Chinese Neolithic graves have been found with ostentatious gems such as jade and polished stone.  Also found were axes and spade.  These ornamentations were a symbol of power in Ancient China.   Those whose graves were ornamented with such jewels were said to be from the upper portion of the Ancient Chinese social hierarchy.

    This discovery of highly decorated tombs compelled historians to draw conclusions that death is a manifestation of Ancient Chinas respect not only for the dead, but for the dead persons social status when he was still alive. The status practically validated the existence of the Ancient Chinese even in death, attempts to immortalize it were very important. A great respect for the persons position in the hierarchy reveals how much the hierarchy itself is revered. In a normal hierarchy, there is only one ruler but many subjects. The many subjects had to follow the single rulers desires and orders, being the person in the topmost portion of the hierarchy. All the subjects shared the same vision of serving the ruler.  A ruler would naturally want to preserve his heritage this can possibly explain the reluctance to deviate from the traditional and stick to his own culture. The social hierarchy can explain Ancient Chinas adherence to collectivism.  It can be compared to a flock of birds.  They birds have a V formation. They have this leader in front that remarkably fills in the distinct, pointed shape of V and leads the flock. If the leader falls, then the other nearest bird on the right automatically takes over the lost leader.

      Death, according to Ancient Greek culture, was a manifestation of the wrath of the gods and goddesses.  If one observes the renowned amphitheatres and monuments of Ancient Greece, one will see that many of them are decorated with statues of gods and goddesses. The Greeks highly worshiped them yet each deity was different from the other.  There was no single rule or vision for the Greeks to follow. There was no uniform thing that could be done to please all gods and goddesses. Deities were even depicted as humans they were imperfect and even fought each other. This was the case in Homers The Iliad they were the cause of mortal wars the mortals were free to choose which deity to side with.

    Several aspects in the respective cultures of Ancient China and Ancient Greece reveal that both had diverging cultures.  Individual actions had to be in harmony with the common good.  Ancient Chinese collectivism could have also been brought about by the social hierarchy and structure of governance. Ancient China was ruled by emperors, all feared and respected by his subjects. Actions of citizens had to conform to the wishes of the emperor. The Ancient Chinese loved their own culture so much that they were not very receptive to changes. In contrast, Ancient Greeks were known to be individualistic. Individual achievements were recognized and no one interfered in their choices.  It makes sense as to why Greece is called the birth place of democracy.  The Ancient Greek citizens could do whatever they wished.  Ancient Greeces experience with foreign merchants and wars made the Greeks more receptive to change than the Chinese.

    Historians can only speculate as to why both cultures are different from one another.  Our knowledge is only to the extent to what our eyes and tools can see and read that may give us the activities of our ancestors. Until now, traces of individualism and collectivism can be seen in the respective cultures of Greece and China.  As to the origins of these characteristics, one can merely make inferences out of the artifacts dug up by historians.  The best that can be done is to give a thoughtful interpretation out of those artifacts.