<P> The Antikythera mechanism, a device for calculating the movements of planets, dates from about 80 BC, and was the first ancestor of the astronomical computer . It was discovered in an ancient shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera, between Kythera and Crete . The device became famous for its use of a differential gear, previously believed to have been invented in the 16th century, and the miniaturization and complexity of its parts, comparable to a clock made in the 18th century . The original mechanism is displayed in the Bronze collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, accompanied by a replica . </P> <P> The ancient Greeks also made important discoveries in the medical field . Hippocrates was a physician of the Classical period, and is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine . He is referred to as the "father of medicine" in recognition of his lasting contributions to the field as the founder of the Hippocratic school of medicine . This intellectual school revolutionized medicine in ancient Greece, establishing it as a discipline distinct from other fields that it had traditionally been associated with (notably theurgy and philosophy), thus making medicine a profession . </P> <P> The art of ancient Greece has exercised an enormous influence on the culture of many countries from ancient times to the present day, particularly in the areas of sculpture and architecture . In the West, the art of the Roman Empire was largely derived from Greek models . In the East, Alexander the Great's conquests initiated several centuries of exchange between Greek, Central Asian and Indian cultures, resulting in Greco - Buddhist art, with ramifications as far as Japan . Following the Renaissance in Europe, the humanist aesthetic and the high technical standards of Greek art inspired generations of European artists . Well into the 19th century, the classical tradition derived from Greece dominated the art of the western world . </P> <P> Greek mythology consists of stories belonging to the ancient Greeks concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world and the origins and significance of their religious practices . The main Greek gods were the twelve Olympians, Zeus, his wife Hera, Poseidon, Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Demeter, and Dionysus . Other important deities included Hebe, Hades, Helios, Hestia, Persephone and Heracles . Zeus's parents were Cronus and Rhea who also were the parents of Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Hestia, and Demeter . </P>

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