1. The glory that was Greece
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The glory that was Greece

2. SETTING THE SCENE Philosopher
translates “lovers of wisdom”
Greek thinkers were called philosophers
Greeks had confidence in the power of the human mind
They were driven by curiosity and a belief in reason.
Greek thinkers, artist, and writers explored the nature of the universe and the place people held in it.

3. GREEK PHILOSOPHERS
Greek thinkers challenged the belief that events were caused by the whims of gods.
They used observation and reason to find causes instead.
Modern science traces its roots to the Greek search for such principles.
Some Greek philosophers were interested in ethics and morality.
They wanted to know things such as:
The best type of government
The standards that should rule human behavior

4. SOCRATES Athenian stonemason & philosopher He wrote no books
Socratic method
He posed a series of questions to students
Challenged them to examine the implications of their answers
Such questioning was a threat to accepted Athenian traditions
At the age of 70, he was put on trial for corrupting the city’s youth & failing to respect the gods.
He was found guilty & sentenced to death.
Athenian law’s death penalty was death by poison.
He drank a cup of hemlock for the death penalty
Poisonous herb found in the Mediterranean region

5. PLATO
After Socrates was sentenced to death, Plato no longer trusted democracy.
He left Athens for 10 years, but returned to set up a school called the Academy.
He emphasized the importance of reason.
Author of The Republic, which described his idea of an ideal state.
He argued for a state that regulated every aspect of its citizens’ lives in order to provide for their best interests.
His ideal society was divided into three classes:
Workers- who were used to produce necessities to life
Soldiers- used to defend the state
Philosophers- to think and rule and would be highly trained to ensure order and justice.
Wisest ruler- Philosopher-king– would have ultimate authority
Talented women could be educated & serve the state
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is included in this book

6. ARISTOTLE Was Plato’s most famous student
Developed his own ideas about government
He did so by analyzing every form of government
Found good and bad examples of each form
Though democracy could lead to mob rule (like Plato)
He favored rule by a single strong, virtuous leader
He thought people ought to live in good conduct to pursue the “golden mean” which was a moderate course between extremely good and extremely bad.
He also set up a school, but his was named, the Lyceum

7. The Lyceum Set up by Aristotle
For the study of all branches of knowledge
Left writings on
Politics
Ethics
Logic
Biology
Literature
1,500 years later
European universities evolved and courses were based on the works of Aristotle

8. ARCHITECTURE Greek architects The Parthenon
Goal was to convey a sense of perfect balance
Balance was between the harmony & order of the universe
The Parthenon
Most famous example of Greek architecture
Temple dedicated to goddess Athena

9. ART Sculpture & Painting
Early sculptures were of people in rigid poses from the Egyptian style
450 BC Greeks sculpted in natural poses was lifelike & idealistic by carving gods, goddesses, athletes, & famous men in a way the showed people in a perfect & grateful form
Only surviving Greek paintings are on pottery

10. POETRY & DRAMA Greek literature began with the epics of Homer
Drama was the most important Greek contribution to literature
1st plays evolved out of religious festivals
Plays were performed in large outdoor theaters with little or no scenery
They had elaborate costumes and masks
Playwrights discussed moral & social issues or explored the relationship between people and the gods

11. TRAGEDY Aeschylus, Sophocles, & Euripides
All 3 are playwrights that wrote tragedies or plays that told stories of human suffering that usually end in disaster
The purpose was to stir emotions of pity & fear
Euripides survived the Peloponnesian War and is believed to have led him to question his accepted ideas
His plays suggest people not the gods are the cause of human misfortune.

12. THE WRITING OF HISTORY
Greeks applied observation, reason, & logic to the study of history
Herodotus
Author of The Persian Wars
Called the “Father of History” in the western world
He visited many lands and collected information from people who remembered the events he chronicled
He noted bias and conflicting accounts
He invented conversations & speeches for historical figures
This set standards for future historians by stressing the importance of research and the need to avoid bias