1. 1 Greco-Roman Traditions Jeffrey L. Richey, Ph.D. GSTR 220-B Western Traditions I Berea College Fall 2004

2. 2 FOUNDATIONS OF GREEK CIVILIZATION Beginning around 2800 BCE, various Eastern Mediterranean islands and coastal regions develop traditions of civilization Following Homeric “Dark Age” (c. 1100-750 BCE) of famine and war, Greek colonization of Mediterranean leads to development of polis (self-governed settlement and its surrounding countryside) as most important unit of Greek civilization Polis of Athens becomes dominant after defeating Persia (c. 490-470 BCE)

3. 3 5th CENTURY BCE ATHENS Athens’ power, stability, democratic institutions, and wealth enable artists and intellectuals to thrive 3 cardinal values emerge: 1. Humanism -- Is there anything more wonderful on earth, our marvelous planet, than the miracle of man? (Sophocles) 2. Naturalism – The chief good is life according to nature. (Zeno of Citium) 3. Skepticism -- The unexamined life is not worth living. (Socrates)

4. 4 PLATO (429-347 BCE) Student of executed philosopher Socrates (469- 399 BCE) and founder of the “Academy” Hopes to improve society by uniting wisdom and power in the “philosopher-king” Themes of Platonic thought: 1. Dualism – appearances (sensory, temporary, imperfect) versus reality (ideational, eternal, perfect) 2. Pre-existence and immortality of the soul 3. The good as goal of all persons 4. God/s as good, wise, and knowable

5. 5 ARISTOTLE (384-322 BCE) Non-Athenian student of Plato and founder of the “Lyceum,” rival school Unlike Plato, rejects abstract ideals as guides for life and embraces empirical inquiry as best path to wisdom Happiness can be achieved by cultivating one’s virtue (arête) – inborn characteristics of human excellence that can be developed through education “Moderation in all things”: virtue = balance – e.g., a deficit of courage leads to cowardice, while an excess leads to foolhardiness

6. 6 EPICURUS (341-270 BCE) Founder of “The Garden,” where Epicureanism is taught Epicurean views of: 1. Fate – no such thing; everything occurs completely by chance interactions in a purely physical universe 2. God(s) – no active role in human affairs; may not exist at all 3. Happiness – defined as freedom from anxiety; best achieved through avoidance of public responsibility and simple living

7. 7 ZENO OF CITIUM (335-263 BCE) Founder of Stoicism (after stoai, public “porches” beneath which he teaches) Stoic views of: 1. Fate – determined by the logos (reason) of the universe, thus natural and acceptable 2. God(s) – identical with logos, nature, and one’s individual intellect 3. Happiness – defined as preservation of one’s natural state; best achieved through obedience to God/logos/nature/fate

8. 8 PLOTINUS (204-270 CE) Greek-speaking Egyptian who teaches “neo-Platonism” in Rome Asserts that humans, as eternal souls in temporary bodies, come into contact with crude matter and forget their origins in “the One” (an entity unknowable through ordinary reason, completely self- sufficient, totally transcendent, and the source of all things) Through cultivation of virtue, philosophical training, and spiritual contemplation, the soul may regain its lost unity with the One

9. 9 THE HELLENISTIC WORLD Philip II, king of Macedonia, defeats Athens in 338 BCE Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE), Philip II’s son and Aristotle’s student, conquers remainder of Greece as well as most of north Africa and west Asia by 326 BCE Legacies of Alexander: 1. Revival of monarchy in Greece 2. “First globalization” 3. Establishment of Hellenistic (Greek) culture as primary point of access to power and status in ancient Western world

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11. 11 FOUNDATIONS OF ROMAN CIVILIZATION The Italian peninsula: 1. Easy access to maritime trade routes 2. Climate and topography favorable for agriculture 3. Central location in ancient Mediterranean world Greek colonization of Italy (700s BCE) leads to establishment of Rome as urbanized, democratic polis or “republic” (509-31 BCE) Republican Rome in constant conflict with neighbors because of expansionist policies

12. 12 ROMAN PHILOSOPHY While most Romans regard religion as the ancient source of Rome’s power and prosperity, some are skeptical about, or even critical of, the polytheistic, ritual-oriented religion of the state Many educated Roman men turn to Greek-inspired philosophy for practical wisdom (prudentia) Most popular philosophical movements among Romans: 1. Epicureanism 2. Stoicism 3. Neo-Platonism

13. 13 Extent of Roman Territory, c. 44 BCE