1. The Early Greek World

2. Geography

3. The Iliad

4. The Iliad Recitation at festivals Laws of universe – moral laws
Human nature, delight in the world
Men must die, but create glory
Tragedy: result / outcome of character
gods as innate aspects of the characters

5. The Odyssey Odysseus: “man of twists and turns”
Sea-faring Ionian world
Ethical universe
Chance is balanced by order: cause and effect
Aristocratic values

6. Greek Cultural Values Areté /Aristei / Ethos Art as education:
Homer has psychagogia: power of moving the soul
His archetypes provide paradeigma: examples for imitation
Listeners should aspire to his ideals
Achilles: megalopsychos: high minded man

7. Greek Cultural Values
Areté: magnificence: Physical / intellectual / moral prowess and virtue
Bravery / Valor
Intellectual ability
Basis of natural leadership
Requires respect and honor
Basis of a man’s value
Justifiable self-love
Aristei : victory as proof of arête
Ethos: aristocratic refined interactions
Até: passion – beyond which education can only do so much

8. Hesiod: Works and Days
Virtue of labor: “Work is no shame / Idleness is a shame”.
Myths as predictors of social problems (Prometheus / Pandora)‏
Ideal of Justice
Attacks “gift-eating” nobles
Attacks idea that might is right
Arete of common man

9. Emergence of the Polis (750 - 650)‏
“Acropolis” – fortified hilltop
Agora – market / public gathering / assembly place / religious center
Leisure: talking!
Polis ; also means ‘the people as a whole’
Rule of law
Rulers: responsibility to people
Citizens: duties
All classes necessary / interrelated

10. Structure of Athenian Polis
Assembly (“Ecclesia” in Athens)‏
Council or steering committee
Courts (“Areopagos” in Athens)‏
Kings: religious rites
Polemarch: general
Archon: civil head
Judges
Citizens are equal, except women and slaves
All citizens participate in public activity

11. Athens Crisis of 7th century: Trade declines
Rich oppress poor: Clans not controlled by state
Poor farmers pay 1/6 of produce to creditors
Landless men sold into slavery

12. Solon the Idealist Abolishes 1/6 agricultural debt payments
Rescues slaves sold abroad
Forbade debt slavery
Aristocrats and cavalry: can hold major offices
Infantrymen and laborers: speak and vote in Assembly and courts (and audit and inspect officials)‏
Est. Council of 400
Codification of Laws

13. Tyranny of the Psistratids (546-510)‏
Coup d’etat
State machinery to help the poor
Ambitious aristocrats into exile (Alcomeonid family)‏
Public festivals
Sets higher prices for peasants’ produce – so they can pay more taxes
Increases trade
Coins “owls by 525

14. Demokratia: Cleisthenes takes power (508)‏
170 demes (regional) – organized into 10 new tribes (of demes located in three different areas )
Organize people on public, not social or local basis
Assembly – center of government
Council of 500 expands steering committee: prepare business for Assembly, execute laws
Areopagus continues, and Archons

15. Credits 1.Map www.greeka.com/greece-maps/ancient- greece-map.jpg
2. Achilles and Ajax 03epic/achillesajax.jpg
3. Odysseus and Polyphemus
4. Oedipus and Sphinx