Acropolis of Lindos in Rhodes

Agora – south of Acropolis

Delos Island –where Artemis and Apollo were born

Delphi – where Apollo lived

Dionysus Theater – father of ancient Greek Drama

Hephaestus Temple

Olympia – where the games started

Parthenon

ANCIENT GREEK LITERATURE

Introduction • The Greeks are recognized as an exceptional people.

• Greeks are known as the “noble Greeks”.

• The term “the glory that was Greece” is particularly applicable to them because of their attainments in literature, sculpture, architecture and philosophy.

3 Periods of the History of Greek Literature

I. Pre-Homeric Age and Homeric Age to the Age of Herodotus

II. From the Age of Herodotus to the death of Alexander the Great

III. The Period of Decline: From the death of Alexander the Great to the enslavement of the Greeks by Rome and extends to A.D. 1453

Qualities of Greek Literature

1. Permanence and Universality: Greek literature is as alive today as it was when it was written more than 3,000 years ago.

2. Essentially full of artistry• Greek literature is a product of a people who purposely and conscientiously developed their physical and intellectual powers.

3. Originality•The Greek mind had the supreme power of modifying and improving all that it touched.

4. Diversity of talent• The Greek mind never rested complacently on any one subject; the Greeks cultivated all literary types to perfection.

5. Intellectual quality• The Greek mind challenges one to think for some purpose - to bring about some inner transformation.

More information1.The Greeks believed in four cardinal virtues: courage, temperance, justice and wisdom.2. The Greeks depicted their deities in human shape as is evident in the abundant sculpture they have left us. 3. The Greeks followed a formula in their prayers: invocation, sanction and entreaty.

4. The Greeks asked their deities in routine prayers, and they asked advice and counsel through omens.

5. The Greeks believed that their deities lived on Mount Olympus or retired in their favorite shrines and that they also mingled with people.

6. Ancient Greece was a land of contrasts but not of extremes.

7. Life was difficult, but the Greeks were able to make the most of what they had.