CLASSICAL CIVILISATION

CLASSICAL CIVILISATION What is classical studies?

What is it? Classical Studies is the study of the Language Literature History Art And other aspects of the Mediterranean world. In GCSE Classical Civilisation you will study Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome

Time Frame • 7th Century BC • Classical period marked by Homer • Iliad • Odyssey • End of Bronze age. 5th Century AD • Marked by the decline of the Roman empire in 5th Century Ad

Map of Ancient Greece • Can you find: • Athens • Modern day Turkey • Macedonia • Albania • Mount Olympus

What do Classicists' study? Archaeology Classical archaeologist look at remains of classical civilasations in order to understand their culture and society. What artifacts might they look at? Art History Greek and Roman art and architecture has heavy influenced much of our art today. • Pottery • Frescoes • Sculpture Civilisation and History Classicists’ use Archaeology, literature and art history to understand the history and culture of the ancient world. They use literature and physical artifacts to create and refine a narrative of the ancient world Philosophy The roots of Western philosophy lie in the study of the classics. The word philosophy is of Greek origin meaning love of Wisdom. Also Study: Greek Mythology and Religion Greek Science

Questions What sources do Classicists use to find out about the ancient world? What sources would be used to find out about Greek religion?

Greek Religion

Greek Religion • Is the collection of beliefs and practices followed by the ancient Greeks • Greek Mythology is not Greek Religion. Greek Mythology are the story about the Gods • Greeks believed in more then one god. This is called what polytheism. • The belief in one god is called monotheism. • Question:Are Christians monotheistic or polytheistic?

Greek Religion • The Greek gods had different personalities and were thought to have human form and feelings. What is this called? • There was an absence of any established religious rules or authoritative revelation such as, for example, the Bible. • There was a strong use of rituals and sacrifice

Religion was very important in the lives of the Greeks. • It involved: • Temples • Sacrifice • Pray • Festivals

The ancient Greeks believed that the gods controlled nature. • The Greeks acknowledged their dependence on the divine beings. • In order to appease the gods the Greeks: • Built temples • Sacrificed animals and gave offerings to • Prayed • Had celebrations and festivals in the gods honour • If you displeased the gods the Greeks believed that you would be punished. • There are many stories in Greek mythology where people have been punished for • being to proud or ambitious. • Organization and Beliefs Despite its central position in both private and public life, Greek religion was notably lacking in an organized professional priesthood. At the sites of the mysteries, as at Eleusis, and the oracles, as at Delphi, the priests exercised great authority, but usually they were merely official representatives of the community, chosen as other officers were, or sometimes permitted to buy their position. Even when the office was hereditary or confined to a certain family, it was not regarded as conferring upon its possessor any particular knowledge of the will of the gods or any special power to constrain them. The Greeks saw no need for an intermediary between themselves and their gods.

The Celestial gods or principal divinities were thought to live on Mount Olympus in Thessaly. The Earth, or the chthonic deities Were thought to dwell on or under the earth

CLASSICAL CIVILISATION