Art, Philosophy, & Science Greek Achievements Art, Philosophy, & Science

Sculpture and Paintings People were portrayed in their ideal form, paying close attention to details. Marble and stone were realistically carved, showing muscle and detail of fabric. Painting on pottery were usually only done in two colors (red and black)

The Classical Greek “Ideal”

Discus Thrower (Discobolus) by Myron

Phidias’ Athena Parthenos 2002 – Nashville Replica

Orders of Architecture Greek architecture had three orders: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian. Each of these orders is clear when you look at the building’s columns. Doric (simple) Ionic (scrolls) Corinthian (acanthus leaves)

Greek Columns – main feature of Greek Architecture 3 types of columns Doric Ionic Corinthian Still used today in modern architecture Where have you seen columns used in modern architecture?

Temples Were designed using columns on the exterior The Parthenon is the most impressive of temples still standing The exterior and interior were decorated with carvings Phidias created a large statue of Athena on the inside

Writing Greeks created new forms of writing (drama and history) Drama was part of religious ceremonies. Scenes were performed by actors and singers to honor the gods. Attending these plays became one of the most popular form of entertainment

Writers of Tragedies Described hardships faced by Greek heroes Famous writers of tragedy Aeschylus - the father of tragedy Sophocles wrote the famous play “Oedipus the King,” about a man who unknowingly kills is his father.

Comedies Made fun of people and ideas Aristophanes - used comedy to make serious points about war, courts of law, and famous people

History Thucydides was an Athenian who wrote about the Peloponesian War. He tried to keep his account neutral. Other historians after Thucydides wrote in a similar style.

Philosophy A group of people who began to question the explanations about life that Greek mythology gave Believed in the power of the human mind to think, explain, and understand life.

Socrates The greatest philosopher Socratic method - would teach by presenting a question and then challenging the answer He encouraged students to question their own beliefs This made leaders angry and he was tried and found guilty of corrupting the youth His friends and students watched on as Socrates was given hemlock, drank it, and died

Plato Was a student of Socrates Started a school - The Academy His most famous writing was The Republic The Republic talked about Plato’s idea for an ideal society based on justice and fairness, and run by philosophers

Aristotle A student of Plato Believed everything should be done in moderation (not too greedy nor too giving) Believed moderation was based on reason (clear and ordered thinking) Made great advances in logic. He argued that you could use facts to figure out new facts. Aristotle inspired Greek scientists to look closely at the world we live in.

Mathematics Euclid - was a mathematician who focused on geometry Many of the geometry rules you study in math comes from him Hypatia - female who taught mathematics and astronomy

Medicine Doctors studied the human body to understand how it worked. Hippocrates - wanted to find ways to cure disease. Best known for the Hippocratic Oath - how doctors should behave.

Science/Engineering Archimedes (Physics) (287-212 BC) Figured out value of “PI” – pretty close to it anyways He is called the "father of integral calculus" and also the "father of mathematical physics” Considered one the greatest mathematicians and inventers ever to live  Lever – idea thought up by Archimedes

Archimedes Screw – meant to raise water

Archimedes Screw in Use…

Mathematics Pythagoras Euclid Believed everything could be explained in terms of mathematics Pythagorean theorem – the length of the longest side of a triangle can be found using the two shorter sides Euclid Known for his influence on the field of “Geometry” Wrote one of the most influential books ever on mathematics the Elements

Which of the people that we discussed today do you believe had the greatest influence on our society today? Why do you believe that?