No, they weren't like that, the Greeks were ahead of them and it's evident that they borrowed stuff from the Greeks in every element of life, although it didn't shape their lives in a potent, fundamental way.

不,他们不是文明的,希腊人比他们先进,也有证据表明,他们从希腊人那里学习了生活中的各种东西,虽然这些并未从根本上,有力地改变他们的生活

耶鲁公开课 - 古希腊历史简介课程节选

It seems to me to be evident that whatever it's other characteristics, the West has created institutions of government and law that provide unprecedented freedom for its people.

在我看来,很显然,就算各国国情千秋百态,但西方建立的政府机构与设立的法律制度,都给与其治下的公民史无前例的自由

耶鲁公开课 - 古希腊历史简介课程节选