Important Greeks, Architecture, & Mythology

Greek Philosophers Many Greek philosophers questioned events thought to be caused by the gods Rather they used logic and reasoning in order to find causes for what happened

Greek Philosophers Through reasoning and observation, Greek philosophers believed they could discover laws that governed the universe S-P-A –Socrates, Plato, Aristotle

Greek Philosophers Socrates –What we know about Socrates comes from his student Plato –Used Socratic Method to ask citizens about their beliefs

Greek Philosophers Socrates –Socratic Method worked through a series of questions and would challenge them to examine the meaning of their answers –Helped students seek self- knowledge –Many Athenians saw it as a threat to traditions

Greek Philosophers Plato (Socrates’ student) –Set up school in Athens- the Academy –Emphasized importance of reason –Rational thought would lead to: ethical values, and how to best organize society

Greek Philosophers Plato (Socrates’ student) –Wrote The Republic His version of an ideal state Government regulate every aspect of society to serve best interests of the people Three classes: Workers/Soldiers/Philosophers

Greek Philosophers Aristotle (Plato’s student) –Like both Socrates and Plato, Aristotle sought to find his own ideal government (none of them like democracy) –Favored rule by a single strong leader

Greek Philosophers Aristotle (Plato’s student) Set up school, the Lyceum Study of all branches of knowledge Politics, ethics, logic, biology, literature, and many other subjects European universities took after Aristotle’s lead

Drama Dramas were performed in large outdoor theaters, actors wore elaborate costumes and masks Greek dramas were based on popular myths and legends –Discussed moral and social issues, or relationship between people and gods

Drama Aeschylus- Tragedies –The Oresteia Pride can cause misfortune and gods can bring down even the greatest heroes

Drama Sophocles- Tragedies –Antigone Explored what happens when a persons moral duties conflicts with the laws of the state

History Herodotus –“Father of History” –The Persian Wars –Stressed importance of sources –Critical of his sources- noting bias and conflicting accounts, though he was biased in his view of the Persian war

History Thucydides –Showed need to avoid bias –Wrote about the Peloponnesian War –Tried to be fair to both sides of the conflict, though an Athenian

Science Archimedes –Used principles of physics –Lever and pulley Hippocrates –Studied causes of illnesses –Hippocratic Oath

Mathematics Pythagoras –Pythagorean Theory a 2 + b 2 = c 2 Euclid –The Elements- textbook for modern Geometry

Architecture Greek architects wanted to convey sense of balance to reflect harmony and order of universe Famous example of Greek architecture is Parthenon

Architecture Parthenon –Temple dedicated to goddess, Athena –Simple rectangle, tall columns, and gently sloping roof

Architecture Columns- Three Types –Doric- Parthenon

Architecture Columns- Three Types –Ionic

Architecture Columns- Three Types –Corinthian

Sculpture Emphasized natural poses, work was lifelike and idealistic

Sculpture Phidias –Hired by Pericles to sculpt statues that once stood in Parthenon (including statue of Athena)

Greek Religion and Gods Mythology helped Greeks explain natural world, human qualities, and life events Polytheistic Believed gods lived on Mount Olympus in Northern Greece

Greek Religion and Gods For the Greeks, the gods possessed very human characteristics and embodied human emotions Greeks honored their gods with temples and festivals –Temple would include a statue to the particular god

Greek Religion and Gods Zeus –King of Heaven –King of the Gods –Controlled thunder and lightening –Upheld laws and justice –Married to Hera

Greek Religion and Gods Hera –Queen of Mt. Olympus –Goddess of childbirth and marriage

Greek Religion and Gods Apollo –God of light and sun, truth, archery, and medicine and healing (among others)

Greek Religion and Gods Aphrodite –Goddess of love and beauty

Greek Religion and Gods Artemis –Goddess of the wilderness, wild animals, hunting, and sometimes fertility

Greek Religion and Gods Athena –Goddess of wisdom, war, justice, and skill –Patron goddess of Athens –Parthenon is temple for her city

Mythology- Influences Today Greek Gods and Goddesses were seen in everyday life and are still used today. Their symbols and images can be seen in literature, art, architecture, and politics.

Mythology- Influences Today FTD Florists use image of Hermes, messenger to the Gods

Mythology- Influences Today King Midas- wanted everything he touched to turn to gold Midas- Brakes and mufflers

Mythology- Influences Today Nike- Greek goddess of victory Nike Tennis Shoes

Mythology- Influences Today Venus- Roman goddess of love and beauty (Greece: Aphrodite) Venus- a woman’s razor

Mythology- Influences Today Ajax- Hero of the Trojan War that “cleaned” up the battlefield Ajax- a cleaner

Questions: 1.How did mythology help the early Greek civilizations explain the natural world and the human condition? 2.What impact did Greek mythology have on later civilizations and the contemporary world?