用英文回答：为什么希腊被看作西方文明的起源？

Greece is considered the cradle of Western civilization for several reasons. Firstly, ancient Greece was home to influential philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, whose ideas and teachings laid the foundation for Western philosophy and critical thinking. Secondly, Greek city-states, such as Athens, developed democratic political systems that have had a lasting impact on Western governance. Thirdly, Greek literature, including epic poems like the Iliad and the Odyssey, and dramas by playwrights like Sophocles and Euripides, are considered cornerstones of Western literature. Additionally, Greece was renowned for its advancements in art, architecture, and mathematics, with iconic examples like the Parthenon and the concept of geometry pioneered by mathematicians like Pythagoras. These achievements and contributions to various areas of knowledge and culture have established Greece as a significant origin of Western civilization.