Un-Greek

The term 'un-Greek' describes anything that deviates significantly from the established traditions, customs, values, aesthetic principles, or characteristics typically associated with ancient or modern Greek culture. This encompasses a broad spectrum of potential contrasts, including behaviors, ideologies, art forms, philosophical viewpoints, or social structures. 'Un-Greek' often signifies a foreign, alien, or opposing perspective when compared to the core tenets and ethos of the Greek world. It can also be used more broadly to highlight a perceived lack of Grecian sophistication, restraint, or adherence to classical ideals in a particular subject or context, depending upon the reference material. The term should be used with sensitivity. Its exact meaning shifts based upon its context and how its usage is used. This term is relatively uncommon in formal writing.

Un-Greek meaning with examples

• The raucous, energetic, and often violent spectacle of the Roman gladiatorial games was considered profoundly un-Greek by many Athenian philosophers. The emphasis on brute force and immediate gratification, in contrast to the Greek values of intellectual discourse, physical discipline (like the Olympics), and considered contemplation, made the games a symbol of what the Greeks considered societal decline, showing different ways of using energy compared to Greek culture.
• Her lavish, flamboyant, and heavily ornamented architectural style, which favored baroque excess, was derided by some critics as un-Greek. They pointed to the clean lines, balanced proportions, and restraint characteristic of classical Greek design. The 'un-Greek' elements, for the critics, represented a corruption of aesthetic ideals and a move away from the timeless principles of beauty and the importance of perfection.
• In the context of philosophical debate, the radical individualism espoused by some post-modern thinkers might be considered un-Greek by those adhering to the Platonic emphasis on community, reason, and the pursuit of the common good. The value placed on the individual's subjective experience as opposed to the universal truths of the Greek Philosophers sets this apart.
• The chaotic, unstructured, and improvisational nature of some modern performance art, which embraces disruption and transience, is seen as un-Greek by those who value the order, harmony, and permanence typically found in traditional Greek drama and other forms of theatre, which had a strong cultural purpose in Athenian Society.