Greek & Hellenistic Achievements

Greek Philosophy Socrates 1st of the 3 Major Greek Philosophers Socratic Method Began w/ basic questions (What is Life?), followed w/more to help understand the world Qs made you better person/citizen

Death of Socrates Wealthy & Noble Athenians believed he was teaching their children to Question the Gods Charged with Impeity (?) & Corrupting the Youth Condemned to Death; students tried to help him escape He criticized them for their action, refused, and drank a cup of Hemlock (poison) Principle of Obedience to Law---follow the laws/decisions of society, b/c society w/out laws = CHAOS?

Greek Philosophy Plato Student of Socrates, writings recorded his ideas & provided info about Socrates’ life & ideals The Republic- Gov’t should be run by those most qualified…Philosopher Kings Critical of Athenian Democracy-Feared Mob Rule Founded the Academy, lasted for over 100 years

Greek Philosophy Aristotle Student of Plato, spent time at the Academy Focus on Natural World rather than Human Behavior Reason- Careful observations & rational thinking to study natural world Logic- Use prior knowledge to infer new facts Established his own academy, Lyceum; Tutored Alexander

Homer Epic Poems Iliad- Chronicled Trojan War Odyssey- Odysseus’s journey Home Oral Storytelling; spread throughout Ancient Greece Formed the basis of Greek Education System Inspired Greeks for Generations

Herodotus Greeks were the 1st to write about & analyze their past “Father of History” 1st Major Greek Historian The Histories- detailed major events of Persian Wars Events he witnessed & reports from those who said they witnessed Issues? Does he deserve his title?

Greek Drama Created for Entertainment; Art of Playwriting -Originally introduced during festivals honoring Dionysus -Recited to Audience, later actors took on specific roles Tragedy- focused on hardships faced by Greek Heroes Comedy- Satires, written to expose the Flaws of Society

Greek Architecture Athenians valued beauty; literary & visual Architecture- Greeks built magnificent Temples, Theatres & other public buildings -Added fine works of art to enhance their appearance Parthenon- Massive temple at the center of the Acropolis -Not too wide (squat) or too tall (flimsy)

Greek Art Sculpture Adept at depicting Human Form Immense detail, great beauty & grace Few originals survive, Roman re-creations Paintings Preserved on Vases, Plates Scenes of everyday life & popular myths

Hellenistic World Hellenistic- Emerged b/c of Alexander the Great -Blending of Greek culture w/Persia, Egypt & Central Asia -Bringing ideas & people together Alexander married Persian princesses, encouraged troops to do the same; established cities across Empire Cultural Diffusion at its finest Move away from Polis to Kingdom & Monarchy

Science & Technology Euclid Pythagoras Geometry Pythagorean Theorem Father of Geometry Formed many of the ideas we still use today Pythagoras Pythagorean Theorem Derived the formula to calculate the relationship b/w the sides of a Right Triangle

Science & Technology Archimedes Eratosthenes Calculated the circumference of the Globe Used simple Geometry, careful observation, came remarkably close to actual figure Archimedes Mathematician who used Math & Physics to create devices that made life easier Levers, pulleys & screws; catapult

Science & Technology Hippocrates -studied causes of illnesses & looked for cures -Set ethical standards for doctors then, as well as now Hippocratic Oath

Hippocratic Oath “I will use my power to help the sick to the best of my ability and judgment; I will abstain from harming or wronging any man by it… Whatever I see or hear, professionally, or privately, which ought not to be divulged, I will keep secret… If, therefore, I observe this oath and do not violate it, may I prosper both in my life and in my profession, earning good repute among all men for all time.”