The Culture of Ancient Greeks

Greek Poetry and Fables Greek poems and stories are the oldest in Europe and serve as models for European and American poems and storiesGreek poems and stories are the oldest in Europe and serve as models for European and American poems and stories Epic = a long poem about heroic deedsEpic = a long poem about heroic deeds Homer- poetHomer- poet –Wrote the Iliad (about a battle for the city of Troy) –Wrote the Odyssey (story of Odysseus, a Greek hero) –Greeks believed these 2 epics were real history A slave named Aesop wrote many fablesA slave named Aesop wrote many fables –Fable = a short tale that teaches a lesson

Greek Drama Drama = a story told by actors who pretend to be characters in the storyDrama = a story told by actors who pretend to be characters in the story –Used drama as part of their religious festivals 2 types of drama:2 types of drama: –Tragedy = a story of a person who tries to overcome difficulties but fails –Comedy = a story with a happy ending

Aeschylus (ehs-kuh-luhs) – a writer who wrote a group of 3 plays called OresteiaAeschylus (ehs-kuh-luhs) – a writer who wrote a group of 3 plays called Oresteia These plays teach that evil acts cause more evil and sufferingThese plays teach that evil acts cause more evil and suffering Sophocles wrote the plays Oedipus and AntigoneSophocles wrote the plays Oedipus and Antigone Euripides wrote plays about real-life people instead of godsEuripides wrote plays about real-life people instead of gods Aristophanes wrote comedies that made fun of leading politicians and scholarsAristophanes wrote comedies that made fun of leading politicians and scholars

Greek Art and Architecture Greek artists believed in the ideas of reason, balance, harmony, and moderation and tried to show these ideas in their workGreek artists believed in the ideas of reason, balance, harmony, and moderation and tried to show these ideas in their work Although Greek murals have not survived, examples of Greek paintings still exist on decorated potteryAlthough Greek murals have not survived, examples of Greek paintings still exist on decorated pottery Most important architecture was the temple dedicated to a god or goddessMost important architecture was the temple dedicated to a god or goddess –Most famous temple is the Parthenon

Greek architecture included columns, which were first made out of woodGreek architecture included columns, which were first made out of wood –Later, they used marble –Many churches and government buildings today have columns Greek sculpture expressed Greek ideasGreek sculpture expressed Greek ideas

Greek Philosophers The word philosophy comes from the Greek word for “love of wisdom”The word philosophy comes from the Greek word for “love of wisdom” Greek thinkers, called philosophers, believed the human mind could understand everythingGreek thinkers, called philosophers, believed the human mind could understand everything

Greek Philosophy Sophists Socrates Plato Aristotle People should useknowledge to improve themselves NoNo absolute right or wrong speakingPublic speaking and debate Created the Socratic Socratic Method of teaching (using questions) ISThere IS an absolute right or wrong Rejected democracy as form of govt. Believed kings should rule RepublicWrote the Republic about his vision of an ideal govt Introduced idea that fair govt should be fair just and just A person should do nothing in excess 200Wrote over 200 books books on philosophy & science

Greek Historians Herodotus – Greek historian who is known as the “father of history”Herodotus – Greek historian who is known as the “father of history” –He wrote Histories which was about the conflict between Persia and Greece Thucydides – A Greek historian who wrote History of the Peloponnesian War.Thucydides – A Greek historian who wrote History of the Peloponnesian War. –He wrote about the conflict between Athens and Sparta