“…To the glory that was Greece And the grandeur that was Rome.” “…To the glory that was Greece And the grandeur that was Rome.”

Literature of Ancient Greece (and later Rome) 800 B.C. - A.D. 200 Why it matters… Greece is a very small country, yet it gave birth to some of the most cherished ideas of Western civilization. Why it matters… Greece is a very small country, yet it gave birth to some of the most cherished ideas of Western civilization.

Why it matters… The Greeks championed individual freedom, developed an early form of democracy, and demonstrated the power of rational thought. Greek ideals of beauty and justice have spread throughout the world. Greek literature, especially poetry and drama, continues to inspire writers today.

People and Society Aristocrats - members of nobility, the ruling or privileged class in society. Common Folk - large numbers of farmers, merchants, and resident foreigners who made up the middle and lower classes in Athens. Aristocrats - members of nobility, the ruling or privileged class in society. Common Folk - large numbers of farmers, merchants, and resident foreigners who made up the middle and lower classes in Athens.

People and Society… Slaves - did manual labor by force Warriors - warfare was a fact of Greek life - all young men received training Artists and Writers - including sculpters and potters, held an honorable position in Athenian society Slaves - did manual labor by force Warriors - warfare was a fact of Greek life - all young men received training Artists and Writers - including sculpters and potters, held an honorable position in Athenian society

Women in Rome and Greece? Read the right hand column on page 167. Your thoughts? Read the right hand column on page 167. Your thoughts?

Culture Read pages with a partner and write down one fact for each of the following: Religion Political life Education and philosophy Athletics Read pages with a partner and write down one fact for each of the following: Religion Political life Education and philosophy Athletics

Arts and Humanities On page 170, read the column under literature

Arts and Humanities Also read How Literature Was Presented on page 171. What was a dramatic festival? Also read How Literature Was Presented on page 171. What was a dramatic festival?

The Epics of Greece and Rome The Epics of Greece and Rome Epic Conventions: Events are majestic in scale, from heroic battles to dangerous quests Supernatural elements often occur during human affairs (gods, goddesses, etc.) Epic Conventions: Events are majestic in scale, from heroic battles to dangerous quests Supernatural elements often occur during human affairs (gods, goddesses, etc.)

Epics… Epics… Literary Style Greek and Roman epics are distinguished by their dignified style through two main ways: 1) epithets - descriptive words and phrases that characterize persons and things. (I.E.) the words “brilliant” and “godlike” often appear before Achilles name Literary Style Greek and Roman epics are distinguished by their dignified style through two main ways: 1) epithets - descriptive words and phrases that characterize persons and things. (I.E.) the words “brilliant” and “godlike” often appear before Achilles name

Epics… Epics… 2) epic simile - compares things using like or as over several lines (example on the bottom of page 176). 2) epic simile - compares things using like or as over several lines (example on the bottom of page 176).

Epics… Epics… IMPORTANCE OF HONOR -live and fight for honor THE POWER OF FATE -major theme in all epics -according to the Greeks, every person, whether hero or not, was given a distinct fate at birth. It was wise to accept one’s fate, foolish to ignore it. IMPORTANCE OF HONOR -live and fight for honor THE POWER OF FATE -major theme in all epics -according to the Greeks, every person, whether hero or not, was given a distinct fate at birth. It was wise to accept one’s fate, foolish to ignore it.

Epics… A Hero’s Limitations -human failings in extraordinary lives -hero was never “all-knowing” or perfect A Hero’s Limitations -human failings in extraordinary lives -hero was never “all-knowing” or perfect

6 Strategies for Reading this type of literature 1. Identify the epic heroes strengths and weaknesses 2. Think about the values the epic hero represents 3. Determine how the hero’s actions affect his own life and the lives of other characters 4. Consider the role of fate and the gods in the events 1. Identify the epic heroes strengths and weaknesses 2. Think about the values the epic hero represents 3. Determine how the hero’s actions affect his own life and the lives of other characters 4. Consider the role of fate and the gods in the events

Last 2 strategies… 5. Look for epithets and epic similes, and consider what they add to the story. 6. Monitor your reading strategies and modify them when your understanding breaks down. Use these strategies for ACTIVE reading: predict, visualize, connect, question, clarify, and evaluate. 5. Look for epithets and epic similes, and consider what they add to the story. 6. Monitor your reading strategies and modify them when your understanding breaks down. Use these strategies for ACTIVE reading: predict, visualize, connect, question, clarify, and evaluate.

n/projects/webunits/greecerome/ n/projects/webunits/greecerome/ GREECE Geographic Features Government Agriculture Architecture Music Art and Entertainment Religion Sports Roles of Men, Women, & Children GREECE Geographic Features Government Agriculture Architecture Music Art and Entertainment Religion Sports Roles of Men, Women, & Children

More Greek conventions Animal sacrifice –Done in front of a temple dedicated for a variety of reasons (to please the gods, to purify those making the sacrifice, and to influence the course of future events). –Those who ate the meat of the animal were thought to be given a share in the power of god. Animal sacrifice –Done in front of a temple dedicated for a variety of reasons (to please the gods, to purify those making the sacrifice, and to influence the course of future events). –Those who ate the meat of the animal were thought to be given a share in the power of god.

The Greek Gods More powerful than humans, immortal and ageless Can change shapes and transport themselves at will, make unexpected appearances in battle –At times even engage in fighting More powerful than humans, immortal and ageless Can change shapes and transport themselves at will, make unexpected appearances in battle –At times even engage in fighting

Prophecy and divination Believed gods communicated with humans –Could be expressed through dreams, through the flight pattern of birds, through figures created by the intestines of sacrificed animals, through divine possession, or other signs of human behavior. Believed gods communicated with humans –Could be expressed through dreams, through the flight pattern of birds, through figures created by the intestines of sacrificed animals, through divine possession, or other signs of human behavior.

Ransoms Common practice –Could be offered in exchange for a corpse, as payment for release of a slave or prisoner, or in reparation of a crime Common practice –Could be offered in exchange for a corpse, as payment for release of a slave or prisoner, or in reparation of a crime

Hospitality A sacred duty that required both host and guest to treat one another kindly and respectfully Greek mythology has many stories of gods who appear disguised as strangers or travelers to test the hospitality of their hosts. A sacred duty that required both host and guest to treat one another kindly and respectfully Greek mythology has many stories of gods who appear disguised as strangers or travelers to test the hospitality of their hosts.

Oedipus the King Ancient Greek literature Written by Sophocles -one of the greatest dramatists of the Golden Age of Greek Drama, wrote over 120 plays -an innovator of drama -While gifted, admired, and successful, he had a dark view of human life. He was deeply aware of life’s pain and sorrow. Ancient Greek literature Written by Sophocles -one of the greatest dramatists of the Golden Age of Greek Drama, wrote over 120 plays -an innovator of drama -While gifted, admired, and successful, he had a dark view of human life. He was deeply aware of life’s pain and sorrow.

Greek Theatre Terminology TRAGIC HERO – noble character with a defect or flaw

Vocabulary OVERVIEW (and overview only) Bottom of page words. Search the bottoms of pages and write each word, it’s definition, and develop a sentence to be turned in by the end of the period. Soon we’re ready to READ! Bottom of page words. Search the bottoms of pages and write each word, it’s definition, and develop a sentence to be turned in by the end of the period. Soon we’re ready to READ!

Exile Standard punishment for unintentional murder in ancient Athens; it was sometimes imposed for treason as well.

Ostracism Involving exile A prominent but unpopular citizen might be banished from Athens for a period of ten years without loss of property. Involving exile A prominent but unpopular citizen might be banished from Athens for a period of ten years without loss of property.

Ecclesia Ostracism was voted upon by the ecclesia - also known as the governing assembly in Athens.

Prophets and Seers Played an important part in Greek culture, but were also subject to criticism and disbelief. Prophets were thought to be capable of interpreting signs of what was to come. They might predict whether a man will meet death, disease, or lose property. Played an important part in Greek culture, but were also subject to criticism and disbelief. Prophets were thought to be capable of interpreting signs of what was to come. They might predict whether a man will meet death, disease, or lose property.

Prophets and seers… In times of war they predicted the outcome of battles; in times of trouble, they might recommend a course of action. They often interpreted the will of the gods through dreams, examining sacrificed animals, etc.

Unlike oracles… Prophets had no ties to religious institutions. A person was a prophet if he claimed to be one.

Moira According to the Greeks, each person had a fate (moira) assigned to him or her. Each person was to bear his or her fate with grace and dignity.

Hubris A person who seeks to overstep his or her fate would be guilty of HUBRIS, or excessive pride. In a sense, one’s fate marks the boundaries of one’s life that cannot be crossed or altered. A person who seeks to overstep his or her fate would be guilty of HUBRIS, or excessive pride. In a sense, one’s fate marks the boundaries of one’s life that cannot be crossed or altered.