Festivals The Persian War The Peloponnesian War Athens and Athenians Festivals The Persian War The Peloponnesian War

The Rural Dionysia December - various parts of Attica Depended on wealth of district Fertility rites Procession around god’s altar Offerings and revelry Repeats of works performed at City Dionysia

The Lenaia January Women with torches, flutes and sacred wands danced Drama introduced 440BC Concentrated on comedy Some tragedy Audiences smaller than City Dionysia Seas still too rough for many foreigners

Anthesteria End of February Involved: Opening wine jars Drinking contests Ceremonies that symbolise union of Dionysus with community

The City Dionysia End of March Spectators from whole Greek world Athens’ subject-allies brought tribute The orphans of those killed in war paraded Honours conferred on outstanding citizens Foreign ambassadors Holiday Law courts closed and prisoners given bail to attend

The City Dionysia Day 1 Procession to temple of Dionysus near theatre The choregoi paraded in splendid robes Day 2, 3 and 4 A tragic poet presents 3 tragedies and a satyr play A comic poet presents comedy Day 5 50-man choirs (each of ten tribes) compete in choral singing

The City Dionysia Day 6 50-boy choirs (x10) compete Immediately after festival – special assembly Conduct of festival officials was examined Bad behaviour by spectators was investigated Equal to sacrilege

The Persian Wars The Battle of Marathon – 490BC Persians on a field outside Athens Persians chased back to ships Persians sailed around the coast to sack Athens while undefended The Athenian army beat the Persians there marched 26 miles in full armour Regarded as Athens finest hour

The Persian Wars The Battle of Thermopylae – 480BC Courage of the Spartans King Leonidas and Spartans The Battle of Salamis – 480BC Athens used the 3 days Spartans gave them to evacuate Island of Salamis

The Peloponnesian War Pericles – 460 – 429BC was popular Elected Strategos (general) more than 14 times 431BC – Peloponnesian War broke out Everyone summoned into city 430BC – Plague in city 429BC – Pericles dies Cleon takes Pericles’ place More war-like policy

The Peace of Nicias Treaty signed in 421BC for ’50 years of peace’ Only lasted till 415BC Expedition into Sicily 413BC – lost entire force – men and ships Led by Alcibiades Herms vandalised When Alcibiades recalled to stand trial Defected to Spartans Gave advice on how to defeat countrymen

End of the Peloponnesian War 411 – 404 BC Political upheaval – The council of 400 Oligarchs Many democratic politicians murdered Very repressive Alcibiades switched from Sparta to Persia 407 BC returns to Athens – all charges dropped 406 BC lost favour – return to Sparta 406 BC – Battle of Arginusae Heavy losses – 8 generals condemned

The Jury System Demagogues Oligarchy vs. Democracy Athens and Athenians The Jury System Demagogues Oligarchy vs. Democracy

The Jury System Klepsydra – water clock Jury Selection – 6000 chosen by lot Not compulsory 2 obols – Pericles 3 obols – Cleon Courts ran about 300 days per year Ten courts No lawyers

Demagogues Leaders Play on emotions and prejudices of the people Even in recent times we have leaders that play on peoples emotions Can you think of any?

Oligarchy vs. Democracy Few people have all the power Dominant class Democracy Ruled by the people voting

Types of Character Ponerus Cunning man Often in trouble – can find a way out Eg. Philocleon – donkey, flute girl Bomolochus Buffoon or clown Lacks ingenuity and courage of Ponerus Eg. Dionysus (The Frogs)