FROM HOMER TO FROM HOMER TO HERODOTUSHERODOTUS

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FOUNDATIONS OF FOUNDATIONS OF CLASSICAL GREECECLASSICAL GREECE

STAGES IN GREEK CIVILIZATION

Ca. 2900-1400 BC: Minoan Period Ca. 1600-1150 BC: Mycenean Period Ca. 1250 BC: Fall of Troy? Ca. 1250-1150 BC: Fall of Mycenaean

Empire Ca. 1100-750 BC: “Dark Ages” Ca. 750 BC: Written Greek Language Ca. 750 BC: Homer Ca. 750 BC: Beginnings of Greek

colonization

Greek AlphabetGreek Alphabet

Ca. 8Ca. 8thth century BC century BC Adapted Phoenician AlphabetAdapted Phoenician Alphabet 23 letters:16 consonants & 7 vowels23 letters:16 consonants & 7 vowels Earliest examples ca. 740 BCEarliest examples ca. 740 BC Standardized 4Standardized 4thth century BC century BC Tablets and PapyrusTablets and Papyrus Greek word for papyrus is Greek word for papyrus is biblosbiblos, ,

hence Biblehence Bible

Map of Ancient GreeceMap of Ancient Greece

Trojan War (c.1250 BC)Trojan War (c.1250 BC)

Legend of Paris and HelenLegend of Paris and Helen

Achilles and Patroclus

Achilles and Hektor

•Achilles’ pride•Vengeance for Patroclus’ death•Battle of heroes•Disgracing Hector’s body

Archaic LiteratureArchaic Literature

Epic Poetry from dark agesEpic Poetry from dark ages– Iliad– Odyssey

Oral vs. written forms: bardic traditionOral vs. written forms: bardic tradition Written by 700 BCWritten by 700 BC The authorship of Homer questionedThe authorship of Homer questioned

The Iliad and History

IliadIliad as the Trojan Waras the Trojan War– For Ancient Greeks “mythos” as truthFor Ancient Greeks “mythos” as truth– For us “myth” is thought of as legendFor us “myth” is thought of as legend– To the Greeks (and other ancient To the Greeks (and other ancient

peoples), myths provide explanations peoples), myths provide explanations (science=body of knowledge)(science=body of knowledge)

Levels of HistoryLevels of History Distinctions between 800 BC- 1250 BCDistinctions between 800 BC- 1250 BC

– Mycenaean burial vs. archaic Mycenaean burial vs. archaic cremationcremation

– Mycenaean chariotsMycenaean chariots– TemplesTemples

What can the Iliad reveal?What can the Iliad reveal?

•What is the relationship between gods and mortals?•What is the role of war? •How is the battlefield managed?•What is the status of women?•What does this say about democracy?•What are the values of this society?

Homer, The Iliad

Homer, The Iliad

VALUES AND VIRTUES IN VALUES AND VIRTUES IN GREEK SOCIETYGREEK SOCIETY

Virtues of arete and Penelope Honor (timé) and Family“Always be the best and distinguished

above others”“Do not bring shame on the family of your

fathers” Bravery (agathos) expected

Trojan WarOlympic Games (776 BCE)

Values and virtues for women in Values and virtues for women in Greek societyGreek society

Management of the household as wife and mother Helen and Paris Andromache and Hector Penelope and Odysseus Clytemnestra and Agamennon

Rise of PolisRise of Polis

8th Century BC to 5th Century BCPolis = city (->politics)Corinth, Sparta, and AthensMonarchy, Oligarchy, and DemocracyTyrannyCitizenshipHierarchy

Expansion of GreeceExpansion of Greece

Age of colonialization: 750 BC to 500 BC Mother city (metropolis) established colonies

under founder (oikistes); colony independent

Major areas: Black Sea, Southern Italy, Spain, Asia Minor, Macedonia, North Africa

Purpose of ColonizationTrade ResourcesCitizenship

Greek Colonization of the Mediterranean 750 – 500 B.C.

PANATHENAIC PRIZE AMPHORAc. 530 BC