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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

20. 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

21. 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?

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

23. 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)