1 Classical Greek Civilization The Hellenic Age. 2 Classical Greek Civilization.

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1 Classical Greek Civilization The Hellenic Age

Transcript of 1 Classical Greek Civilization The Hellenic Age. 2 Classical Greek Civilization.

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Classical Greek Civilization

The Hellenic Age

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Classical Greek Civilization

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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

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Getting Our Bearings

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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”)

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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.

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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.

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The Athenian Agora

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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

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The Parthenon: The Fusion of Civic and Sacred

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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.

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Balance: Dionysus and Apollo

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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)

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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Technology

Shipbuilding

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Domestic and Foreign Affairs

TechnologyWarfare

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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.

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Encounter: The Representation of Blacks in Greek Art

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Encounter: The Representation of Blacks in Greek Art

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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.)

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The Theater at Epidaurus

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The Theater at Delphi

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The Perfection of the Tradition: The Glory of Hellenic Greece

Theater: ComedyAristophanes

Music

HistoryHerodotus, Histories

Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War

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The Perfection of the Tradition: The Glory of Hellenic Greece

Philosophy, Science, and MedicineThe Pre-Socratics

The Sophists

The Socratic Revolution

Plato

Aristotle

Medicine

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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.

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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

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The Greek Sanctuary:Temple of Apollo at Delphi

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The Greek Temple:The Orders

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The Greek Temple:The Parthenon

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The Greek Temple:Temple of Hera, Posidoneia

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The Greek Temple:Temple of Athena Nike

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The Greek Temple:Erechtheum

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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

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Sculpture: High Classical Style

The High Classical style tries to show motion in a static medium. Polykleitos’ Doryphoros (right) set the sculputral canon.

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Sculpture: Parthenon Friezes

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Sculpture: Parthenon Friezes

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Sculpture: Parthenon Friezes

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Sculpture: Fourth Century Style

As sculpture moves to the 4th century, artists delight in beauty and sensuality. Note the “Praxitelean curve.”

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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