Democracy & Greece’s Golden Age Chapter 5 Section 3

Title: Philosophy What do the quotes below mean to you Title: Philosophy What do the quotes below mean to you? Pick one & Explain (in your notes) An unexamined life is not worth living. True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing. When the debate is over, slander becomes the tool of the loser. All quotes by a famous Greek Philosopher - Socrates

Philosopher Great Greek thinkers – “lovers of wisdom.”

Socrates 470-399 B.C. A Greek philosopher who developed a critical thinking strategy known as the Socratic Method – a question and answer method of teaching. Put to death for his beliefs by the Athenian assembly after the Peloponnesian War for “corrupting the minds of the youth of Athens.”

Plato Plato was Socrates’ Student, 427-347 B.C., wrote a famous book about the best form of government called The Republic (but the book advocates for an Oligarchy as the best form of government – not Democracy).

Aristotle Plato’s Student & teacher of Alexander the Great. Lived from 384 – 322 B.C. Opened his own school in Athens in 335 B.C. called the Lyceum. Most famous for developing methods for arguing according to the rules of logic, leading to The Scientific Method we use today.

Classical Art Focuses on ideal beauty, perfectly formed bodies, graceful & strong. Faces show serenity (peace / calm) no extreme emotion like joy or anger. Based on idealism. Idealism is what should be not what is (realism).

Greek Tragedy & Comedy 2 Kinds of Greek Drama Tragedy: a serious drama about common themes such as love, hate, war, or betrayal. Comedy: a humorous “slapstick” portrayal of current issues or politics (Think Saturday Night Live today). Ex: Aristophenes – wrote Lysistrata – an effort by Athenian women to end the Peloponnesian War. Important B/C Athenians being able to listen to criticism of themselves shows the freedom and openness that must have existed in their society – this is why FREEDOM of SPEECH is so important today – even if what a person says is offensive to you!

Pericles Who? An Athenian statesman (a politician) who Glorifies Athens by: 1) Sponsoring great public works like building the Parthenon (great temple to Athena – used $$ from the Empire). 2) Expanded Athenian democracy by having public officials paid a salary - $$ (rather than just have it be voluntary service).* 3) Expanded Athens’ Navy – dominated Trade.

The Parthenon A Greek Temple to Athena – goddess of wisdom and Athens’ patron deity. Symbol of Athens’ Golden Age & the limitless potential of democracy, built from 447-432 B.C. by Pericles with money from the Delian League (which upset the allies). Phidias: Chief Greek sculptor on the project – crafted the 30+ feet tall statue of Athena inside the temple. 6 foot tall man

5.3 Q#3 What steps did Pericles take to strengthen democracy in Athens? Pericles strengthened democracy in Athens by having public offices be paid positions – rather than unpaid. This allowed more people (even poor) to be able to take part in gov’t (more people taking part / having a stake in Gov’t = stronger democracy).

Direct Democracy A Form of Democracy used by Ancient Athens in which each male citizen could vote on & propose laws directly in the assembly. (No representatives – like in a Republic)

Peloponnesian War A War fought between Sparta & Athens. Started by Sparta in 431 B.C. and lasted until Athens’ Defeat in 404 B.C. Important B/C Democracy seen as WEAK.

4. The Battle Strategies of Athens & Sparta… Both cities sought to use their strengths. Athens: pull back behind its strong walls and “hide” from the Spartan hoplites (foot soldiers) & avoid a land battle. Athens would then use its strong navy to attack Spartan allies by sea and resupply their city. Sparta: use its superior infantry siege Athens and starve them out / try engage in land battles.

5. Why did some Athenians find the ideas of Socrates so disturbing? because Socrates advised his students to question everything, this threatened traditional ways and encouraged students to question Athenian values and beliefs.

6. How does the concept of hubris from Greek Tragedy apply to the Peloponnesian War? Hubris = the idea of a fatal flaw leading to a downfall (like excessive pride/overconfidence). In this case Athens fatal flaw which caused their loss in the war was their overconfidence in their Navy to defeat Sparta.

7. Was the rule of Pericles a “Golden Age” for Athens? Yes … the rule of Pericles could be considered a Golden Age because Prosperity led to the sponsorship of wonderful works of Art & Architecture (The parthenon). Argue for no? War & destruction.