Post on 24-Jan-2016
1
Classical Greek Civilization
The Hellenic Age
2
Classical Greek Civilization
3
Hellenic Civilization
Platea (479) to Death of Alexander (323)Note: Golden Age of Athens lasted only 479-401
Consisted of several hundred poleis (city-states)
Athens cultural center
Hellenic Age marks highest achievement of ancient Greeks
4
Getting Our Bearings
5
General Characteristics
Competitiveness
Rivalry
Increasingly urban, polis-centered lifestyle
Fusion of civic and sacred
Demystification of religion
Expanded “civil (civic) rights”
High regard for balanced life and moderation in achieving it (mh/den a0ga/n = “nothing too much”)
6
The Polis
The term polis which in archaic Greece meant “city,” changed over time to indicate “state” (which included surrounding villages), and finally to describe the entire
body of citizens.
The ancient Greeks didn't refer to Athens, Sparta, Thebes and other poleis as such; instead, they spoke of
“Athenians,” “Lacedaemonians,” “Thebans” and so on.
The body of citizens came to be the most important meaning of the term polis in ancient Greece.
7
The Polis
While each polis had its own history and traits, they shared certain features, including an acropolis and an agora, where political leaders spoke, citizens assembled, and the populace conducted business and socialized.
8
The Athenian Agora
9
The Athenian Polis: Evolution
Nobles initially ruled through councils and assemblies (aristocracy)
Protest/revolt when farming/trading did not support expanding population
C. 590: Solon (debt reform, steps to participatory government/those with some land or wealth had voice)
508: Cleisthenes establishes democracy – opens participation to all free, male citizens
10
The Parthenon: The Fusion of Civic and Sacred
11
Athena Parthenos
Marble replica based on 5th century BCE statue by Phidias.
The original statue was much larger than life (40 ft. tall!). Note the sphinx on Athena’s helmet. Note, too, the shift from the archaic style in Athena’s idealized features.
12
Balance: Dionysus and Apollo
13
Phases of the Hellenic Age
The Delian League (478-460)
Wars in Greece and with Persia, and ensuing Thirty Years’ Peace (460-431)
Peloponnesian War (431-404)
Spartan and Theban hegemony and triumph of Macedonia (404-323)
14
Pericles
Athens role in defeating Persians made it dominant for in Greece
Power came from navy…and lower-class rowers (thetes)
Pericles supported thetes, and for 30 years was elected strategos
Policies created the glorious Athens we think of today
15
Socrates
Under Pericles, Athens became center of philosophy
New profession arose: Teacher
Sophists initially filled role; taught rationality/systematic doubt
Socrates rose in reaction, arguing for absolute truths
Argument Greeks started continues today
16
Peloponnesian War (431-404)
Pericles more skilled at domestic politics than diplomacy.
Athenians abused position as the leaders of Delian League (the anti-Persian alliance),turning into own “empire.”
Resisted by Sparta.
C. 440 Pericles signs treaty with the Persians
Members of Delian league (notably Sparta and Corinth) rebel
In 431 BCE, Sparta and Athens go to war.
17
Peloponnesian War (431-404)
Sparta was powerful on land, Athens at sea
Spartans devastate countryside, put Athens under siege
429: Plague strikes, kills 20% + of population, including Pericles
City population = about 150,000 citizens, 35,000 metics, 80,000 slaves
415: Athens makes great mistake and attacks Syracuse; loses invasion fleet, triggering tremendous internal instability
Sparta enters into alliance with Persia; in 404, Spartan commander Lysander finally defeats Athenian fleet
18
Technology
Shipbuilding
19
Domestic and Foreign Affairs
TechnologyWarfare
20
Encounter: The Representation of Blacks in Greek Art
Starting in the Archaic period, Greek artists began to depict Africans in their art. For the rest of Greek history and then in Roman history, artists continued this practice, thus making the representation of blacks a significant feature of Classical art.
21
Encounter: The Representation of Blacks in Greek Art
22
Encounter: The Representation of Blacks in Greek Art
23
The Perfection of the Tradition: The Glory of Hellenic Greece
Theater: TragedyFeatures of the Tragic Theater
• Public, religious festival
• Choral focus
• Thespis adds actor; number of actors increased to three, then four
Tragic Drama• Aeschylus (Oresteia)
• Sophocles (Oedipus trilogy)
• Euripides (Trojan Women, Bacchae, Medea, etc.)
24
The Theater at Epidaurus
25
The Theater at Delphi
26
The Perfection of the Tradition: The Glory of Hellenic Greece
Theater: ComedyAristophanes
Music
HistoryHerodotus, Histories
Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War
27
The Perfection of the Tradition: The Glory of Hellenic Greece
Philosophy, Science, and MedicineThe Pre-Socratics
The Sophists
The Socratic Revolution
Plato
Aristotle
Medicine
28
Slice of LifeSecrets of a Successful Marriage in Ancient Greece
A famous military commander, Xenophon was also a historian, essayist, and student of Socrates. Nonetheless, his discussion of marriage from Oeconomicus, his essay on domestic economy, or home life, is considered a fairly accurate depiction of the marital ideal among well-to-do Greeks of the time.
29
The Perfection of the Tradition: The Glory of Hellenic Greece
ArchitectureSanctuaries
The Temple: The Perfection of the Form
SculptureSevere style
High Classical style
Fourth Century style
30
The Greek Sanctuary:Temple of Apollo at Delphi
31
The Greek Temple:The Orders
32
The Greek Temple:The Parthenon
33
The Greek Temple:Temple of Hera, Posidoneia
34
The Greek Temple:Temple of Athena Nike
35
The Greek Temple:Erechtheum
36
Sculpture: The Severe Style
The Severe Style tries to evoke a sense of quiet dignity and nobility.
Significant innovations include new frontality, contrapposto, and a serious facial expression
37
Sculpture: High Classical Style
The High Classical style tries to show motion in a static medium. Polykleitos’ Doryphoros (right) set the sculputral canon.
38
Sculpture: Parthenon Friezes
39
Sculpture: Parthenon Friezes
40
Sculpture: Parthenon Friezes
41
Sculpture: Fourth Century Style
As sculpture moves to the 4th century, artists delight in beauty and sensuality. Note the “Praxitelean curve.”
42
The Legacy of Hellenic Civilization
Humanism
ClassicismPrinciples of balance, simplicity, and restraint
Works of classicism became building blocks of Western culture
Skeptical spirit at core of Western consciousness