History of the Ancient and Medieval World The Glory That was Greece Part 2: Cultural Achievements Walsingham Academy Mrs. McArthur Room 111
Architecture : Public and Communal growing number of public buildings Public buildings increase sense of community (civic) pride and individual’s sense of belonging. Ironic Factoid: after the destruction of the city by Persians, Athens was rebuilt by raiding the Delian League’s (Greek city- states’ common defense) treasury.
The Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens B.C.E.
Role of Greek Temple Home of individual god/goddess who protected the community Not intended for congregational worship (although activities held in outer enclosure) Inside dominated by a cult statue of god and only priests admitted into his/her presence. (Parthenon = Athena by sculptor, Phideas)
Virtual Field Trip Acropolis Home of Goddess Athena Floor plan
Basic Elements of Greek Building Stylobates: precisely cut squares of stone on which rested the colonnades.
Entablature
Greek Architecture: Columns “D.I.C.” More common in Roman Architecture
“Elgin Marbles” British Museum, London To whom do they belong?
Theater at Epidauros 2007 Greek Drama: A Public Art
Tragedy An elegant story about an admirable person struggling nobly against insuperable odds. Aeschylus Sophocles Euripides Antigone at her brother’s grave (Louvre)
What is History?: Early Definitions Mesopotamia + Egypt (a record: Sumerian King List and tombs) Hebrews: a way of revealing the unfolding relationship with God and his chosen people. Greeks: a specific literary art – large themes about human life and conduct.
Historiai A story with details “Researches,” “investigations” about universal themes and absolute truths. Drama expressed in powerful language
Herodotus and Thucydides
"This, however, I know – that if every nation were to bring all its evil deeds to a given place in order to make an exchange with some other nation, when they had all looked carefully at their neighbors’ faults, they would truly be glad to carry their own back again." Frontpiece to 1647 copy of Histories Herodotus: Father of History
Oikoumene = “inhabited World:” The World according to Herodotus (450 B.C.E.) Herodotus : Traveler and Observer
The Persian Empire: the ultimate barbaron – uncultured and inferior, albeit powerful The Persian Wars: As told to us by Herodotus
These images of the Persian fighters equipped with only the most rudimentary gear must have seemed like suicide to the Greco-Roman reader. “The Persians are not warlike… They fight with bows and the short spear and go into battle wearing trousers, and hats on their heads (Herodotus 208).”
Why History? (Western tradition) To preserve accounts of great deeds. To teach “lessons” derived from the past. To shape the future’s opinion of one.
Summary : Herodotus and Thucydides What was remarkable? They were well-read, well-traveled and curious. They made hypotheses and applied logic and reason to their subjects. They were critical and fair-minded thinkers. They “investigated” by questioning, interviewing people and by recording and collating information. They were elegant and sometimes entertaining writers.
Plato and Aristotle Pythagoras(?) (crouching with book)
Euclid (?) Zoroaster (facing, with beard) and Ptolemy (?)(back to us, globe) and Raphael (?)(dark hair, facing) The School of Athens Raphael, 1509 The School of Athens Raphael, 1509
Socrates Wrote nothing, we know him from pupil, Plato. Asked questions (Socratic Method) Why? Used logic to seek truth and self-knowledge. Why was he tried and condemned to death? Why did Socrates choose to die? “The unexamined life is not worth living” How did Socrates’ actions support his statement? Read pp. 131 of text
What is a Good Society? Plato and Aristotle What is a Good Society? Plato and Aristotle Create a chart with a column for each philosopher. Contrast the views of both. * PlatoAristotle *Read pp of text
Assignment 1 1.Read in text, pp and pp (Notice that Assignments 1 and 2 have reversed order of pages.) 2.Define 4 blue terms and answer 3 check points. 3.Study PP notes Student Choice Activities: 1.Lecture - The Birth of History: Wed. 10/26 3-3:30 2.Numismatist seeking… (details on SPA; due by 11/7) Chapter Test, Monday, Nov. 7
Philosophers : Lovers of Wisdom What is the main idea of Aristotle’s meditation (thinking)? How does Sophocles’ Antigone justify her defiance of King Creon’s orders? Assignment 2 1.Read text, pp and pp Define 6 Blue-bold terms and answer Thinking Critically, pp Read PP notes and project handout: Classical Greece: Topics of Investigation. Pick topic and partner(s)
Assignment 3 1.Project: For choices, description and rubric, see handout: Classical Greece: Topics of Investigation. 2.Presentations: Tues, Nov. 1. Student Choice Activities: 1.Lecture - The Birth of History: Wed. 10/26 3-3:30 2.Numismatist seeking… (details on SPA; due by 11/7) Chapter Test, Monday, Nov. 7
Chapter 4: Greece Test Overview Format: –18 multiple choice/matching –2of 3 documents –Map Content drawn from: –Text, Chapter 4, Sections 1-5 –Lecture Notes –Map –PowerPoint Class Notes Check out the On-line Review PP Additional Checks: Sections 4 + 5