The Classical GreeksThe Classical Greeks

The Hellenic Roots of Western The Hellenic Roots of Western CultureCulture

Classic: Three MeaningsClassic: Three Meanings

• ““First rate,” or “the best of its kind” applies First rate,” or “the best of its kind” applies to music, vintage cars, or films—implying to music, vintage cars, or films—implying enduring qualityenduring quality

• The characteristics of a civilization, one that The characteristics of a civilization, one that has enduring significance on later has enduring significance on later civilizations.civilizations.

• The stylistic features of a node of expression The stylistic features of a node of expression governed by principles of clarity, harmony, governed by principles of clarity, harmony, balance, simplicity (moderation), and balance, simplicity (moderation), and refinementrefinement

• The classic civilizations are so in all three The classic civilizations are so in all three senses of the termsenses of the term

The Classic CivilizationsThe Classic Civilizations

• The Greek or Hellenic: That which The Greek or Hellenic: That which reached its height in the fifth century BCEreached its height in the fifth century BCE

• The Hellenistic or “Greek-like” in which a The Hellenistic or “Greek-like” in which a Macedonian named Alexander spread its Macedonian named Alexander spread its influence into Asia and Egypt (ca 300 influence into Asia and Egypt (ca 300 BCE)BCE)

• The Roman in two phases:The Roman in two phases:• The Republic (509-31 BCE)The Republic (509-31 BCE)• Empire (31 BCE-476 CE)Empire (31 BCE-476 CE)

Minoan Civilization (2000-1400 Minoan Civilization (2000-1400 BCE)BCE)

• Site of a palace and Site of a palace and labyrinthine maze on the labyrinthine maze on the Island of Crete, south of Island of Crete, south of mainland Greece.mainland Greece.

• Named after King Minos Named after King Minos whose minotaur—half whose minotaur—half man and half bull—was man and half bull—was kept in the labyrinth and kept in the labyrinth and fed Athenian youthsfed Athenian youths

• The minotaur is killed by The minotaur is killed by the Athenian hero the Athenian hero Theseus, freeing Athens Theseus, freeing Athens from his rule.from his rule.

Minoan Site: Palace of Minoan Site: Palace of KnossosKnossos

• Archaeological evidence Archaeological evidence indicates the site was indicates the site was involved in seagoing trade involved in seagoing trade with the Phoenicians, with the Phoenicians, based in Carthage of based in Carthage of North AfricaNorth Africa

• Knossos had a three-story Knossos had a three-story palace built around a palace built around a courtyard (left; see pp. courtyard (left; see pp. 119-121119-121

• Absence of fortress walls Absence of fortress walls indicate the kingdom indicate the kingdom thought the sea as thought the sea as security enoughsecurity enough

Frescos: Bull VaultingFrescos: Bull Vaulting

• Frescos refer to paintings in which pigment is applied to plastered walls before Frescos refer to paintings in which pigment is applied to plastered walls before the plaster is drythe plaster is dry

• This fresco depicts the sport of bull-vaulting, still practiced in Portugal; this is This fresco depicts the sport of bull-vaulting, still practiced in Portugal; this is found in the Palace of Knossos, Cretefound in the Palace of Knossos, Crete

• Woman in front holds the bull by horns; one in back waits to catch the vaulter; Woman in front holds the bull by horns; one in back waits to catch the vaulter; as in Egypt, women have lighter skin than menas in Egypt, women have lighter skin than men

• Possibly an initiation rite. Possibly an initiation rite.

Frescos: Ship Fresco from Frescos: Ship Fresco from TheraThera

• Minos was a seafaring Minos was a seafaring cultureculture

• Thera, island near Crete, Thera, island near Crete, included a seaportincluded a seaport

• The Ship Fresco depicts the The Ship Fresco depicts the seaport of Akrotiri, Thera seaport of Akrotiri, Thera

• This was clearly an This was clearly an important harbor in the sea important harbor in the sea lanes of the Mediterraneanlanes of the Mediterranean

Statuettes of Minos: Snake Statuettes of Minos: Snake GoddessGoddess

• This statuette depicts a bare-This statuette depicts a bare-breasted women holding a snake breasted women holding a snake in either handin either hand

• Snakes were the symbol of Snakes were the symbol of fertility, preceding their fertility, preceding their interpretations as depictions of interpretations as depictions of evil. evil.

• The woman could be a priestess The woman could be a priestess or a goddessor a goddess

• Style: flounced skirt, cat perching Style: flounced skirt, cat perching on her headdresson her headdress

• Technique: faTechnique: faïence, glazing ïence, glazing earthenware by using a glass earthenware by using a glass pastepaste

Linear B ScriptLinear B Script

• Linear B Script is the first phonetic script in EuropeLinear B Script is the first phonetic script in Europe

• Based on syllables; each symbol represents a Based on syllables; each symbol represents a syllable rather than a speech sound syllable rather than a speech sound

• Vowel is the peak of a syllableVowel is the peak of a syllable

Mycenaean Civilization Mycenaean Civilization (1600-1200 BCE)(1600-1200 BCE)

• More of a militaristic peoples More of a militaristic peoples with warships vying for with warships vying for control of the Eastern control of the Eastern MediterraneanMediterranean

• The Citadel of Mycenae The Citadel of Mycenae includes heavily fortified includes heavily fortified walls expected of a walls expected of a militaristic societymilitaristic society

• Storage rooms ensure the Storage rooms ensure the population could hold out for population could hold out for weeksweeks

• Peasants and townspeople Peasants and townspeople were accommodated during were accommodated during periods of siege. periods of siege.

Agamemnon: Leader in Agamemnon: Leader in Battle of TroyBattle of Troy

• Death mask (left( is probably Death mask (left( is probably that of Agamemnon, king of that of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae who led the Mycenae who led the Achaeans against TroyAchaeans against Troy

• Grave of Agamemnon Grave of Agamemnon includes jewels and other includes jewels and other precious grave goodsprecious grave goods

• The Mycenaeans attacked The Mycenaeans attacked Troy (Ilion) around 1200 BCE, Troy (Ilion) around 1200 BCE, resulting in a 10-year warresulting in a 10-year war

• This sets the stage of This sets the stage of Homer’s epic, Homer’s epic, The Iliad The Iliad recounting the last days of recounting the last days of the Trojan Warthe Trojan War

The Heroic Age (1200-750 The Heroic Age (1200-750 CE)CE)• Mycenae was conquered in 1200 CE by the Mycenae was conquered in 1200 CE by the

Dorians whose iron weaponry proved superiorDorians whose iron weaponry proved superior• The Homeric epics were passed down by oral The Homeric epics were passed down by oral

tradition for 300 years before being transcribed tradition for 300 years before being transcribed and 300 more before being reaching their present and 300 more before being reaching their present formform

• Little is known about Homer himself, except that Little is known about Homer himself, except that if he existed, he was blindif he existed, he was blind

• Represents the culmination of a long tradition of Represents the culmination of a long tradition of oral historyoral history

• The two epics represent a national symbol of The two epics represent a national symbol of present-day Greecepresent-day Greece

Iliad: Paris’s ChoiceIliad: Paris’s Choice

• Eris, the Goddess of Discord, throws an Eris, the Goddess of Discord, throws an apple with the inscription “To The apple with the inscription “To The Fairest” in a crowd at a wedding.Fairest” in a crowd at a wedding.

• Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, Hera, Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, Hera, the wife of Zeus, and Aphrodite, the the wife of Zeus, and Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, Sex, Beauty, and Goddess of Love, Sex, Beauty, and Fertility, vie for the appleFertility, vie for the apple

• They agree to allow Paris, a moral (and They agree to allow Paris, a moral (and Trojan) to make the judgment. Trojan) to make the judgment.

• Athena promises victory against the Athena promises victory against the Greeks; Hera promises dominion over the Greeks; Hera promises dominion over the known world;known world;

• Aphrodite promises him the love of a Aphrodite promises him the love of a beautiful women beautiful women

Choices Have Choices Have Consequences: The Trojan Consequences: The Trojan WarWar

• Paris gives the golden apple Paris gives the golden apple to Aphroditeto Aphrodite

• The spurned goddesses, The spurned goddesses, Hera and Athena, conspire Hera and Athena, conspire with other deities for with other deities for revenge.revenge.

• Paris kidnaps Helen. Paris kidnaps Helen. • (Daughter of Zeus and Leda)(Daughter of Zeus and Leda)• Menaleus, King of Sparta Menaleus, King of Sparta

and her husband, forms an and her husband, forms an alliance with other Achaeans alliance with other Achaeans (Greeks) to get his wife back(Greeks) to get his wife back

• A ten-year war ensuesA ten-year war ensues

The Iliad: The Battle of TroyThe Iliad: The Battle of Troy

• Through an alliance of gods and Through an alliance of gods and mortals, war breaks out between mortals, war breaks out between the “Achaeans” and the Trojans the “Achaeans” and the Trojans of Troy, a commercial center in of Troy, a commercial center in Asia Minor (now Turkey)Asia Minor (now Turkey)

• The Iliad The Iliad is set in the last days of is set in the last days of the Trojan warthe Trojan war

• The war end when the Trojan The war end when the Trojan Horse, containing Achaean Horse, containing Achaean solders, taken to be a gift, is solders, taken to be a gift, is haled onto the fortress, and the haled onto the fortress, and the Achaeans slaughter the Trojans Achaeans slaughter the Trojans in a ruse. in a ruse.

Iliad: Achilles as Central Iliad: Achilles as Central CharacterCharacter

• The central figure of the Iliad is The central figure of the Iliad is Achilles, a powerful warrior who at Achilles, a powerful warrior who at first refuses to join the Achaeansfirst refuses to join the Achaeans

• He consents only after a close friend He consents only after a close friend of his, Patroclus, is killed in battle by of his, Patroclus, is killed in battle by Hector, the chieftain of the TrojansHector, the chieftain of the Trojans

• Though half-god, half man, he has a Though half-god, half man, he has a flaw: his heel which his mother Thetis flaw: his heel which his mother Thetis held while dipping into the river Styx, held while dipping into the river Styx, which rendered him invulnerable:which rendered him invulnerable:

• Except for the heel, which any Except for the heel, which any weapon could penetrate. weapon could penetrate.

• Note the penetration of the arrow in Note the penetration of the arrow in his heel. his heel.

Iliad: The Main ThemesIliad: The Main Themes

• The theme of Achilles that recurs in Greek The theme of Achilles that recurs in Greek thought:thought:

• Selfhood vs. community responsibilitySelfhood vs. community responsibility• We see it later in Socrates’s refusal to We see it later in Socrates’s refusal to

escape after being condemned to deathescape after being condemned to death• Heroic act to prove virtue or excellence Heroic act to prove virtue or excellence

((arêtearête has both connotations) has both connotations)• Both God and Man displays a range of Both God and Man displays a range of

human emotions: anger, love, grief (over human emotions: anger, love, grief (over loss of friend)loss of friend)

Odyssey:Odyssey: Frustrated Frustrated HomecomingHomecoming• Odysseus encounters obstacles—adventures—while Odysseus encounters obstacles—adventures—while

trying to sail home to Ithaca after the wartrying to sail home to Ithaca after the war• On one occasion, he ix within sight of Ithaca when a On one occasion, he ix within sight of Ithaca when a

strong wind blow the ship out to open sea. strong wind blow the ship out to open sea. • He has to navigate the ship between Scylla, a He has to navigate the ship between Scylla, a

monster perched on a rock, and Charybdis, the monster perched on a rock, and Charybdis, the monster lurking in a large whirlpoolmonster lurking in a large whirlpool

• Allows himself to listen to the Sirens, while tied to Allows himself to listen to the Sirens, while tied to the mast and the men rowing with earplugs, so they the mast and the men rowing with earplugs, so they can hear neither him, nor then; otherwise the ship can hear neither him, nor then; otherwise the ship would have been lost to the rockswould have been lost to the rocks

• In the end, he does arrive home, and he slaughters In the end, he does arrive home, and he slaughters the suitors trying to woo his wife Penelope because the suitors trying to woo his wife Penelope because of his long absence. of his long absence.

The Principal Gods in the The Principal Gods in the Greek/Roman PantheonGreek/Roman Pantheon

• Left: Representative Gods from the Left: Representative Gods from the ParthenonParthenon

• Zeus (Rom. Jupiter or Jove): The Zeus (Rom. Jupiter or Jove): The head of the pantheon of godshead of the pantheon of gods

• Hera (Juno): Queen of the GodsHera (Juno): Queen of the Gods• Ares (Mars): God of warAres (Mars): God of war• Aphrodite (Venus): Goddess of Aphrodite (Venus): Goddess of

(erotic) love, beauty, (erotic) love, beauty, • Athena (Minerva): Goddess of Athena (Minerva): Goddess of

wisdom—and warwisdom—and war• Eros (Amor/Cupid): God of (erotic) Eros (Amor/Cupid): God of (erotic)

love, often portrayed as an infantlove, often portrayed as an infant• Hades (Pluto): God of the Hades (Pluto): God of the

UnderworldUnderworld

Other Gods of the Other Gods of the Greek/Roman PantheonGreek/Roman Pantheon• Demeter (Ceres): Goddess of Agriculture/GrainDemeter (Ceres): Goddess of Agriculture/Grain• Persephone (Proserpina): Goddess of the Persephone (Proserpina): Goddess of the

Underworld Underworld • Apollo, Helios (Phoebus): God of the SunApollo, Helios (Phoebus): God of the Sun• Hephaestus (Vulcan): God of metallurgy, fireHephaestus (Vulcan): God of metallurgy, fire• Herakles (Hercules): God of strength, courageHerakles (Hercules): God of strength, courage• Artemis (Diana): Goddess of the hunt, the moonArtemis (Diana): Goddess of the hunt, the moon• Hermes (Mercury): Messenger of the godsHermes (Mercury): Messenger of the gods• Nike (both): Goddess of VictoryNike (both): Goddess of Victory• Poseidon (Neptune): God of the seaPoseidon (Neptune): God of the sea• Hestia (Vesta): Goddess of the hearth, domesticHestia (Vesta): Goddess of the hearth, domestic

Gods According to Greek Gods According to Greek TheologyTheology

• Origin myth: Zeus, angered by human Origin myth: Zeus, angered by human evil, destroyed humankind by floodevil, destroyed humankind by flood

• Deucalion (Greek Noah), constructs Deucalion (Greek Noah), constructs boat for himself and his wifeboat for himself and his wife

• ““Bones” of Gaia thrown overboard Bones” of Gaia thrown overboard and new humans, first of whom is and new humans, first of whom is Hellen (ancestors of Hellenes or Hellen (ancestors of Hellenes or Greeks), spring from the rocksGreeks), spring from the rocks

The Humanlike Qualities of The Humanlike Qualities of the Godsthe Gods

• The immortals show all the human The immortals show all the human emotions: they are amorous, emotions: they are amorous, capricious, quarrelsomecapricious, quarrelsome

• They take sides in human wars (as They take sides in human wars (as they do in the they do in the IliadIliad. (upper left: priest . (upper left: priest and his sons are killed for revealing and his sons are killed for revealing who were inside the Trojan Horse)who were inside the Trojan Horse)

• They live among humans, atop Mount They live among humans, atop Mount OlympusOlympus

• Gods seduce mortal women (Leda and Gods seduce mortal women (Leda and the Swan, who is Zeus, lower leftthe Swan, who is Zeus, lower left

• They set forth no clear principles of They set forth no clear principles of moral conductmoral conduct

• Oracles (like the one at Delphi) are Oracles (like the one at Delphi) are sources of prophecy and mystical sources of prophecy and mystical wisdomwisdom

Greek City States: Greek City States: Principal SitesPrincipal Sites

Greek City States: Greek City States: Economic BasisEconomic Basis• A rocky environment allowed little agricultureA rocky environment allowed little agriculture• Best strategy: to grow crops of high value for Best strategy: to grow crops of high value for

trade—olives (for the oil) and grapes (for the wine)trade—olives (for the oil) and grapes (for the wine)• Became master craftsmen of metallurgy, textiles, Became master craftsmen of metallurgy, textiles,

pottery, and other artspottery, and other arts• Rocky terrain allowed for little overland tradeRocky terrain allowed for little overland trade• Therefore, they continued to trade via maritime Therefore, they continued to trade via maritime

routesroutes• Law of comparative advantage illustrated here: Law of comparative advantage illustrated here:

crafted goods, oil, and wine for basic foodstuffs crafted goods, oil, and wine for basic foodstuffs like grain from the Near Eastlike grain from the Near East

Greek City States: The Greek City States: The Persian WarsPersian Wars• Autonomous city states arose in the Autonomous city states arose in the

mainlandmainland• Persian expanded westward and annexed Persian expanded westward and annexed

Ionia, a region in Asia MinorIonia, a region in Asia Minor• When Ionians revolted, other city states When Ionians revolted, other city states

joined injoined in• At the Battle of Marathon of 499 BCE, an At the Battle of Marathon of 499 BCE, an

army of 11,000 men defeated a Persian army of 11,000 men defeated a Persian army twice that numberarmy twice that number

• The Greeks proceeded to develop an navy The Greeks proceeded to develop an navy and at the Battle of Salamis, defeated the and at the Battle of Salamis, defeated the Persian armadaPersian armada

City States: Emergence City States: Emergence of Democracy in Athensof Democracy in Athens• Initially Oligarchic RuleInitially Oligarchic Rule• Reforms by Solon: abolition of debt slaveryReforms by Solon: abolition of debt slavery• Formation of the Popular Assembly by 550 BCE, Formation of the Popular Assembly by 550 BCE,

comprising all Greek citizenrycomprising all Greek citizenry• It operated alongside the Council of Five Hundred It operated alongside the Council of Five Hundred

and Council of Ten Generals and Council of Ten Generals • Popular Assembly acquired the right to legislatePopular Assembly acquired the right to legislate• Involved direct participation, not representativesInvolved direct participation, not representatives• Women, non-landowners, and slaves still had no Women, non-landowners, and slaves still had no

such rightssuch rights• Success probably attributed to low population: Success probably attributed to low population:

40,000 eligible, probably 5000 actually 40,000 eligible, probably 5000 actually participated in open-air market (agora) forums.participated in open-air market (agora) forums.

City States: Sparta City States: Sparta Contrasted with AthensContrasted with Athens• Elite of five, though elected, saw Elite of five, though elected, saw

themselves as rulers incarnate of the godsthemselves as rulers incarnate of the gods• Male citizens from seven years upward were Male citizens from seven years upward were

trained as soldierstrained as soldiers• Physical labor done by helots, prisoners Physical labor done by helots, prisoners

captured in frequent local wars.captured in frequent local wars.• Spartan women, expected to live out ideals Spartan women, expected to live out ideals

of warrior culture, were allowed more of warrior culture, were allowed more freedom than their Athenian counterpartsfreedom than their Athenian counterparts

• Nevertheless, strict order allowed for little Nevertheless, strict order allowed for little creativitycreativity

Athens under PericlesAthens under Pericles

• Pericles:Pericles: An aristocrat who nevertheless An aristocrat who nevertheless believed in a democratic form of governmentbelieved in a democratic form of government

• His foreign policies were also high-handedHis foreign policies were also high-handed

• Part of the Delian league, he collected monies for Part of the Delian league, he collected monies for a collective defense against the Persiansa collective defense against the Persians

• Then he appropriate them for Athens to build the Then he appropriate them for Athens to build the Athenian temples demolished by the PersiansAthenian temples demolished by the Persians

• He also tried to dominate the commercial policy He also tried to dominate the commercial policy of league membersof league members

Peloponnesian WarsPeloponnesian Wars

• These acts led to a war between Athens and an These acts led to a war between Athens and an alliance dominated by Spartaalliance dominated by Sparta

• The war brought to an end the so-called Golden The war brought to an end the so-called Golden Age of AthensAge of Athens

• Eventually, this would bring forth the imperialistic Eventually, this would bring forth the imperialistic forays of Alexander the Greatforays of Alexander the Great

• It would also generate the Hellenistic Age by It would also generate the Hellenistic Age by which Greek philosophy, literature, and art and which Greek philosophy, literature, and art and architectural styles were spread throughout much architectural styles were spread throughout much of the known world. of the known world.

Two Historians: Herodotus and Two Historians: Herodotus and ThucydidesThucydides

• Herodotus: Herodotus: First known historian who combined First known historian who combined keen observation with critical judgmentkeen observation with critical judgment

• Did make errors, such as his opinion that non-Did make errors, such as his opinion that non-Egyptian slaves built the pyramidEgyptian slaves built the pyramid

• Thucydides: Thucydides: • Wrote a detailed account of the Peloponnesian Wrote a detailed account of the Peloponnesian

wars between Athens and an alliance dominated wars between Athens and an alliance dominated by Sparta, which proved disastrous for Athensby Sparta, which proved disastrous for Athens

• He himself was a general in the conflict, so that He himself was a general in the conflict, so that he is a primary source, one who made the actual he is a primary source, one who made the actual observationsobservations

Greek Drama: OverviewGreek Drama: Overview

• Characters were all played by men.Characters were all played by men.

• The structure comprised a stage, rather The structure comprised a stage, rather small, and the seating for the audience, small, and the seating for the audience, which were levels of stairlike seatswhich were levels of stairlike seats

• The chorus played an important role of The chorus played an important role of informing the sequence of events. informing the sequence of events.

Types of Greek DramaTypes of Greek Drama

• Tragedy: Tragedy: A work with tragic consequences for A work with tragic consequences for the hero.the hero.

• The hero is usually a noble, often one who has The hero is usually a noble, often one who has accomplished great things.accomplished great things.

• But he has some defect (see tragic flaw)But he has some defect (see tragic flaw)

• That brings him to ruin at lastThat brings him to ruin at last

• Comedy:Comedy: A work, usually with happy endings A work, usually with happy endings

• Only later did it become identified with Only later did it become identified with amusement amusement

• Often a work with realistic ends. Often a work with realistic ends.

Greek TragedyGreek Tragedy

• Hubris: Tragic FlawHubris: Tragic Flaw

• The hero is a nobleThe hero is a noble

• He is a man (almost always a man) of some He is a man (almost always a man) of some accomplishment)accomplishment)

• But he has some defectBut he has some defect

• That defect proves destructive to the hero. That defect proves destructive to the hero.

• Catharsis: Catharsis: the cleansing of the soul brought the cleansing of the soul brought about by witnessing a demiseabout by witnessing a demise

• Tragic WasteTragic Waste

Case Study: Oedipus the King Case Study: Oedipus the King by Sophoclesby Sophocles

• Oedipus Oedipus is the son of is the son of Laius, Laius, the king of Thebes, and the king of Thebes, and of of Jocasta. Jocasta.

• When born, he receives a prophesy that he will slay When born, he receives a prophesy that he will slay his father and marry his mother.his father and marry his mother.

• The father has his boy’s feet pierced, and orders a The father has his boy’s feet pierced, and orders a shepherd to leave him on a hillside to die. shepherd to leave him on a hillside to die.

• Polybus, the shepherd, instead rears the child as his Polybus, the shepherd, instead rears the child as his own. own.

• When, as a man, he receives this prophecy, he leaves When, as a man, he receives this prophecy, he leaves the shepherd out of fear it might come true.the shepherd out of fear it might come true.

• He travels to Thebes, the most distant place from the He travels to Thebes, the most distant place from the sitesite

• The theme underlying this effort is that it is folly to The theme underlying this effort is that it is folly to outwit the Fatesoutwit the Fates. .

Delphi: Site of the OracleDelphi: Site of the Oracle

• Founding Myth: A sanctuary Founding Myth: A sanctuary for the Titan earth goddess for the Titan earth goddess GaiaGaia

• Sun God (Apollo) slays the Sun God (Apollo) slays the Python, the dragon who Python, the dragon who guarded the gateguarded the gate

• Founded the Temple of Founded the Temple of Apollo, henceforth the Apollo, henceforth the oracle of prophesyoracle of prophesy

• This is where King Laius This is where King Laius receives the prophecy that receives the prophecy that his son will kill him and his son will kill him and marry his wifemarry his wife

Layout of Delphi, including the Layout of Delphi, including the Temple of ApolloTemple of Apollo

• Upper left: Upper left: amphitheateramphitheater

• Center: Temple of Center: Temple of Apollo (columned Apollo (columned building)building)

• Other sanctuaries are Other sanctuaries are set aside for Dionysius, set aside for Dionysius, other gods and kingsother gods and kings

• For complete plan, see For complete plan, see p. 139p. 139

Oedipus: The PatricideOedipus: The Patricide

• While traveling, Oedipus meets a party While traveling, Oedipus meets a party of men who are blocking his wayof men who are blocking his way

• They argue over the right of way on a They argue over the right of way on a narrow roadnarrow road

• The dispute gets out of handThe dispute gets out of hand• Oedipus kills several men in the Oedipus kills several men in the

entourageentourage• Laius, Oedipus’s father, is one of the Laius, Oedipus’s father, is one of the

men he murdersmen he murders

The Sphinx and Her RiddleThe Sphinx and Her Riddle

• At the gates of Thebes, he At the gates of Thebes, he encounters the Sphinx, who has encounters the Sphinx, who has been terrorizing Thebes for yearsbeen terrorizing Thebes for years

• The Sphinx has waylaid people, ask The Sphinx has waylaid people, ask a riddle, and murdered them all for a riddle, and murdered them all for their failure to give the right answertheir failure to give the right answer

• The riddle: what walks on four in the The riddle: what walks on four in the morningmorning

• On two at noon, andOn two at noon, and• On three at night?On three at night?• Your turn: got a good answer?Your turn: got a good answer?• A man in the phases of infancy, A man in the phases of infancy,

adulthood, and old ageadulthood, and old age

Oedipus’s AnswerOedipus’s Answer

• His answer: “man”His answer: “man”

• He crawls on all fours in the morning (of life He crawls on all fours in the morning (of life as a toddler)as a toddler)

• Walks on two at noon (maturity)Walks on two at noon (maturity)

• Walks on three in the evening (a cane, at Walks on three in the evening (a cane, at old age)old age)

• She screams, falls to the ground with a She screams, falls to the ground with a thud, and rots away with decay and thud, and rots away with decay and vulturesvultures

Oedipus Become King and Oedipus Become King and Marries his MotherMarries his Mother• The grateful Thebans award him with the kinshipThe grateful Thebans award him with the kinship• And with the hand of Jocasta to be his wifeAnd with the hand of Jocasta to be his wife• In so doing, he fulfils the prophecy that he will In so doing, he fulfils the prophecy that he will

marry his mother. marry his mother. • The Gods, angered by his incest, send a plague to The Gods, angered by his incest, send a plague to

the citythe city• After siring and bearing four children, Oedipus is After siring and bearing four children, Oedipus is

told by the blind prophet Tiresias that he is the told by the blind prophet Tiresias that he is the cause of the plague. cause of the plague.

• In his pride, he refuses to believe the prophet, In his pride, he refuses to believe the prophet, thinking his rival Creon, Jocasta’s brother, has set thinking his rival Creon, Jocasta’s brother, has set him up to this. him up to this.

Curse of Oedipus RexCurse of Oedipus Rex

• The chorus fills the audience in on the details The chorus fills the audience in on the details of the eventsof the events

• A messenger conveys the news of the A messenger conveys the news of the shepherd Polybus’s death and adds that he shepherd Polybus’s death and adds that he was only Oedipus’s adopted father. was only Oedipus’s adopted father.

• Jocasta discovers the truth in the Jocasta discovers the truth in the conversation, runs off the stage and hangs conversation, runs off the stage and hangs herselfherself

• The truth come slowly to Oedipus; he takes The truth come slowly to Oedipus; he takes the brooch from his dead wife and blinds the brooch from his dead wife and blinds himselfhimself

Departure of Oedipus Rex; Departure of Oedipus Rex; Fate of AntigoneFate of Antigone

• He leaves Thebes with his daughter AntigoneHe leaves Thebes with his daughter Antigone

• Another play portrays Antigone herself, his Another play portrays Antigone herself, his daughter/sisterdaughter/sister

• After Oedipus’s death, she returns to ThebesAfter Oedipus’s death, she returns to Thebes

• When Creon, now king, decrees she cannot give When Creon, now king, decrees she cannot give her brother Polynices the rites of burial at his her brother Polynices the rites of burial at his death, she does so anywaydeath, she does so anyway

• For her defiance, she is sealed in a cave to slowly For her defiance, she is sealed in a cave to slowly suffocate. suffocate.

• She commits suicide rather than suffer this fateShe commits suicide rather than suffer this fate

Incest: A Universal TabooIncest: A Universal Taboo

• Definition: A rule that forbids copulation Definition: A rule that forbids copulation between two persons of defined relationshipsbetween two persons of defined relationships

• Primary kin: parent-child, siblingsPrimary kin: parent-child, siblings

• Father-daughterFather-daughter

• Mother-sonMother-son

• Brother sisterBrother sister

• Exception: Egyptian, Inca, HawaiianException: Egyptian, Inca, Hawaiian

• Allowed only in royal line: “purity”Allowed only in royal line: “purity”

Other Tragic DramatistsOther Tragic Dramatists

• Aeschylus: Aeschylus: The first playwright in the Western The first playwright in the Western WorldWorld

• Known for the Orestian trilogy, which detail the Known for the Orestian trilogy, which detail the horrors that befell the House of Atreushorrors that befell the House of Atreus

• This trilogy set the pattern for other tragedies.This trilogy set the pattern for other tragedies.• Euripides: Euripides: Had the reputation of a freethinker and Had the reputation of a freethinker and

was highly unpopular in his time. was highly unpopular in his time. • Wrote 92 plays in his lifetime of which 18 are still Wrote 92 plays in his lifetime of which 18 are still

known.known.• Among the plays: Among the plays: The Trojan Women The Trojan Women (the aftermath (the aftermath

of the war); of the war); Hercules; Orestes Hercules; Orestes (Medusa’s killer); and (Medusa’s killer); and Medea Medea (murderess of an abusive father). (murderess of an abusive father).

Design of a Greek TheaterDesign of a Greek Theater

• The stage was very narrow and often crowdedThe stage was very narrow and often crowded

• The chorus often performed in the orchestraThe chorus often performed in the orchestra

Philosophy in Hellenic GreecePhilosophy in Hellenic Greece

• Pre-Greek Philosophers: Pre-Greek Philosophers: The stuff that unified The stuff that unified the reality we perceive—what is everything made the reality we perceive—what is everything made ofof

• The Sophists: The Sophists: The first relativists: “How do we The first relativists: “How do we know what we know?know what we know?

• Socrates: Socrates: First (through Plato) to argue for an First (through Plato) to argue for an unchanging body of truths. unchanging body of truths.

• Plato: Plato: Argued for absolute truth (expressed Argued for absolute truth (expressed through Socrates, so we don’t know which is through Socrates, so we don’t know which is which); founded the Academywhich); founded the Academy

• Aristotle: Aristotle: Founded the Lyceum; saw reason as a Founded the Lyceum; saw reason as a tool for knowledge; rejected Plato’s theory of tool for knowledge; rejected Plato’s theory of forms and notion of a universal psycheforms and notion of a universal psyche

The SophistsThe Sophists

• Protagoras Protagoras (pictured)(pictured)

• Meaning of “Man is the Measure of All Meaning of “Man is the Measure of All things”things”

• Knowledge cannot exceed human opinionKnowledge cannot exceed human opinion

• Relativism forms the norm; there is no Relativism forms the norm; there is no reality apart from one’s own perceptionsreality apart from one’s own perceptions

• GorgiasGorgias

• Reality in incomprehensibleReality in incomprehensible

• Even if one comprehend it, he could not Even if one comprehend it, he could not describe the real to others. describe the real to others.

• Basic Theme: Basic Theme: What might be true and What might be true and just for one may not be so for another.just for one may not be so for another.

Socrates: The Dialectical Socrates: The Dialectical MethodMethod

• To Socrates, inquiry involved a To Socrates, inquiry involved a three-step methodthree-step method

• Thesis:Thesis: A proposition of what A proposition of what is trueis true

• AntithesisAntithesis: a proposition : a proposition offering the opposite offering the opposite propositionproposition

• Synthesis:Synthesis: A proposition A proposition reconciling the thesis and reconciling the thesis and antithesis. antithesis.

• Formed the basis of his Formed the basis of his dialogues and his teaching dialogues and his teaching techniquetechnique

Socrates: The Quest for Socrates: The Quest for Virtue IVirtue I• Contrary to the Sophists, Socrates Contrary to the Sophists, Socrates

argued that there is only a unitary truth argued that there is only a unitary truth

• This was not dependent on one’s This was not dependent on one’s perceptionsperceptions

• Virtue is the condition of the psyche Virtue is the condition of the psyche (soul or mind)(soul or mind)

• To do good, one must first know goodTo do good, one must first know good

Socrates: The Quest for Socrates: The Quest for Virtue IIVirtue II

• One argument: That as a citizen of Athens, he had incurred One argument: That as a citizen of Athens, he had incurred obligationsobligations

• One obligation was to submit to the law even if it meant his life One obligation was to submit to the law even if it meant his life (here, he is about to drink the hemlock as a sentence for (here, he is about to drink the hemlock as a sentence for corrupting the youthcorrupting the youth

Plato: The Quest for the Ideal Plato: The Quest for the Ideal FormForm

• Idealism: Idealism: the notion that reality lies the notion that reality lies in the realm of unchanging forms in the realm of unchanging forms rather than in sensory objectsrather than in sensory objects

• Our perceptions are imperfect and Our perceptions are imperfect and limitedlimited

• Psyche Psyche belongs to the universe of belongs to the universe of eternal forms; imprisoned in the eternal forms; imprisoned in the body, the mind forgets its once-body, the mind forgets its once-perfect knowledgeperfect knowledge

• Task of philosophy: to draw the mind Task of philosophy: to draw the mind out of its limited body and so regain out of its limited body and so regain perfect awareness. perfect awareness.

• Railed against the Sophists for their Railed against the Sophists for their relativismrelativism

Plato: Allegory of the CavePlato: Allegory of the Cave

• The cave is a metaphor for our perceived realityThe cave is a metaphor for our perceived reality• Like the shadows of the cave, our reality is not Like the shadows of the cave, our reality is not

the things they really are, the idealthe things they really are, the ideal• Going out into the sunlight, we would see the Going out into the sunlight, we would see the

ideal that is behind the reality we perceiveideal that is behind the reality we perceive

Plato: The Perfect StatePlato: The Perfect State

• In Plato’s In Plato’s Republic, Republic, asks “what is the asks “what is the nature of justice?” andnature of justice?” and

• ““What is the nature of a just society?”What is the nature of a just society?”• Roots the answers in a two-level realityRoots the answers in a two-level reality• The one of changing particulars in our The one of changing particulars in our

sensessenses• The other is an unchanging set of universal The other is an unchanging set of universal

truthstruths• Formed the idea of a philosopher king, who Formed the idea of a philosopher king, who

alone perceived the universal truths and so alone perceived the universal truths and so were the only ones fit to rule a republicwere the only ones fit to rule a republic

Plato and ArtPlato and Art• To Plato, art is a distortion of the idealTo Plato, art is a distortion of the ideal• Nature is but a shadow of the real (the ideal)Nature is but a shadow of the real (the ideal)• Art is only an imitation of natureArt is only an imitation of nature• God (or gods) creates the essentialGod (or gods) creates the essential• Artisans make useful objects out of the Artisans make useful objects out of the

essentialessential• Artists only makes images of the essentialArtists only makes images of the essential• Therefore, artists rank lowest in the chain of Therefore, artists rank lowest in the chain of

beings, beings, • They are no better than those who carry They are no better than those who carry

images that project shadows in the caveimages that project shadows in the cave

Aristotle: In Pursuit of ReasonAristotle: In Pursuit of Reason

• A student of Plato, rejected both the A student of Plato, rejected both the notion of universal truths and notion of universal truths and psychic unitypsychic unity

• Argued that mind and matter could Argued that mind and matter could not exist independently of each not exist independently of each other. other.

• Developed the empirical method, Developed the empirical method, whereby observation of things and whereby observation of things and events are the key to understanding events are the key to understanding

• Methods: objectivity, clarity, and Methods: objectivity, clarity, and consistencyconsistency

• He applied these methods to He applied these methods to observing plants and animals, city observing plants and animals, city state constitutions, and literary state constitutions, and literary forms. forms.

Aristotle: EthicsAristotle: Ethics

• Basic aim of ethics: to achieve both Basic aim of ethics: to achieve both happiness and the good life happiness and the good life ((eudaimoniaeudaimonia))

• Eudaimonia is defined in terms of the Eudaimonia is defined in terms of the object: eye is to see, racehorse is to object: eye is to see, racehorse is to run fast; knife is to cut. run fast; knife is to cut.

• Ultimate aim is Ultimate aim is arêtearête (virtue and (virtue and excellence)excellence)

Aristotle: The Golden MeanAristotle: The Golden Mean

• There is a need for balance between There is a need for balance between two extremes; between:two extremes; between:

• Excess and scarcity, there must be Excess and scarcity, there must be moderationmoderation

• Cowardice and recklessness, there Cowardice and recklessness, there must be bravery or couragemust be bravery or courage

• All these involve reason to arrive at a All these involve reason to arrive at a balanced moral conductbalanced moral conduct

Aristotle: Politics and the Aristotle: Politics and the StateState

• Applied reason to analyze the state by comparing Applied reason to analyze the state by comparing the constitution of 150 city statesthe constitution of 150 city states

• Argued that some were more fit to rule than Argued that some were more fit to rule than others, so advocated an elitism.others, so advocated an elitism.

• Government should exist for the sake of the state, Government should exist for the sake of the state, not the individual, lest competing interests reduce not the individual, lest competing interests reduce the state to squabbling faction the state to squabbling faction

• Ideal form: governance by the middle class (Golden Ideal form: governance by the middle class (Golden Mean hypothesis between tyranny and anarchy)Mean hypothesis between tyranny and anarchy)

• Humans can reach their potential only in the Humans can reach their potential only in the context of state society; man is thus a political context of state society; man is thus a political animalanimal

Aristotle on DramaAristotle on Drama

• Tragedy: the cause of how an Tragedy: the cause of how an unfortunate ending comes to beunfortunate ending comes to be

• An initiation of action that brings pity An initiation of action that brings pity and fearand fear

• An error in judgment made by a An error in judgment made by a superior mansuperior man

• Should be confined to the unities of Should be confined to the unities of time and place—a single place on a time and place—a single place on a single day.single day.

Aristotle on the ArtsAristotle on the Arts

• His main comments focused on drama His main comments focused on drama rather tan the visual arts.rather tan the visual arts.

• Distained the notion of godsDistained the notion of gods

• Valued myths as encapsulating human Valued myths as encapsulating human wisdomwisdom

• The arts should capture the essence of this The arts should capture the essence of this wisdom rather than the embroidery ofwisdom rather than the embroidery of

• The Golden Mean also is relevant to the The Golden Mean also is relevant to the artsarts

Conclusion of this Section. Conclusion of this Section.

• Greeks formed city states but shared a Greeks formed city states but shared a cultureculture

• Warring was common despite the Warring was common despite the advances in philosophy, arts, advances in philosophy, arts, architecture, and dramaarchitecture, and drama

• The next stage: an empire, first under The next stage: an empire, first under Philip of MacedoniaPhilip of Macedonia

• Then under Alexander the Great, his son.Then under Alexander the Great, his son.• The next presentation looks more closely The next presentation looks more closely

at Greek art, sculpture, and architectureat Greek art, sculpture, and architecture