Ancient Greece

1. Ancient Greece

2. Ancient Greece • The term Ancient Greece refers to the time period between the 8th century B.C. and 146 B.C. • Between these dates, Greece had one of the most powerful and innovative societies in the world. • In 146 B.C., Greece was conquered by the Roman empire, which their society influenced heavily.

3. Ancient Greece Cont.

4. Greek Life • Greece was divided up into many Poleis, or city-states such as Athens and Sparta. • The Greeks are credited with creating the first Democratic society in which the common people had a say in government.

5. Greek Culture: Religion • Ancient Greeks practiced a pagan religion in which they worshipped many Gods. • Some of the most important Greek Gods were: • Zeus: The King of the Gods and father to many. • Hera: Wife of Zeus and Queen of the Gods • Apollo: God of the sun, the arts, medicine, and truth • Athena: Daughter of Zeus, Goddess of wisdom and justice • Ares: God of war • Hades: God of the underworld

6. Greek Gods

7. Greek Religion Cont. • The Greek Gods had many myths and stories surrounding them. • Greek Gods lived on top of Mt. Olympus, the tallest mountain in Greece. • They would often interact with the mortal world in these stories, as we will see in the Iliad. • The Greek Gods were not perfect by any means, and shared many characteristics with mortals, including jealousy and wrath.

8. Greek Culture: Philosophy • Greece was the home of many of the world’s most famous philosophers. • Many Greek philosophers focused on the importance of Reason in life. • Greek Philosophers included • Socrates • Plato • Aristotle

9. Greek Culture: The Arts • The Greeks were passionate fans of theater. • Greek plays can often be classified as either Tragedy or Comedy, and the players (all male) used masks to show emotions. • Theaters were usually large, open air venues.

10. Greek Culture: The Arts Cont. • Along with theater, the Greeks also prided themselves on their art and literature. • Greek sculptors crafted what are still considered some of the most perfect statues ever created. • The Greeks believed the human form was the most beautiful and perfect creation in nature. • Greek artists also expressed themselves through architecture.

11. Greek Art

12. Greek Literature • The Greeks wrote lyrical poetry, tragedy, comedy, and long Epic poetry. • Homer was one of the greatest and best recorded writers of Ancient Greece. • Homer is credited with the writing of both the Odyssey and the Iliad.

13. The Iliad • The Iliad consists of 15,700 lines (more than 5 times as many as Beowulf) and follows the Greek army through part of the Trojan war. • The Iliad mostly follows the story of Achilles, a Greek warrior blessed by the Gods. • The Iliad is written in the form of an Epic poem, and is dated around the 8th century B.C.

14. Epic Poetry • Epic poems contain 9 essential story elements. • They begin in medias res • The setting is vast and spans many nations • The story begins with an invocation (calling) to a muse. • It begins with a statement of a theme • It uses many epithets (repetitious phrasing) • It includes long lists • It features long, formal speeches • It shows divine intervention in mortal affairs • The principal “hero” embodies the values of his society

15. The Iliad Cont. • The Iliad was originally told and retold orally by bards and travelling story tellers. • It begins near the end of the Trojan war. • The Iliad contains several major themes including • Glory • Wrath • Returning to home • Fate/Destiny

16. Major Characters of the Iliad • Achilles: The strongest warrior and hero of the Greek army. • Agamemnon: The King of the Greeks • Menelaus: Agamemnon’s brother • Hector: The Prince of Troy & champion of the Trojans • Priam: Hector’s father, King of Troy • Paris: Prince of Troy, Hector’s younger brother • Helen: Menelaus’ wife • Patroclus: Achilles cousin/closest companion • Odysseus and Ajax: Generals of the Greek army • The Gods: Most notably Apollo (Trojans) and Athena (Greeks)