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Greek Civilization The Purpose of Society. 2000 BCE ~ 30 BCE. The Perfection of Human Society.
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Greek CivilizationThe Purpose of Society 2000BCE ~ 30 BCE
The Perfection of Human Society • If Sumerians had seen their purpose as service and entertainment for the gods, and Egyptians had perceived themselves as the first “chosen people,” the Greeks came to see themselves as uniquely “human.” This meant that their goals were two - to perfect society for people, and to perfect people for society. Nearly all that they did can be seen as one or the other of these.
Society Government Warfare Economy & Business Art History Law Science People Epistemology Philosophy Behavior Purpose Morality/Religion Citizenship Personal honor Areas of interest for the Greeks
Greece & the Aegean Sea Greece is mountainous and difficult to move about. This meant that most Poli developed in relative isolation, and accounts for the multitude of Greek answers to social questions.
Minoan Period 2000 - 1450 BCE • Knossos built by 1700 BCE • Linear A not deciphered • Destroyed by fire & tsunami @ 1450 BCE destroyed it.
Minoan Culture • Related to Greeks • Trading culture • Skilled navigators of the Mediterranean • Taught Mycenean Greeks writing, trade, & navigation • Art & religion appear to have revolved around trade Back
Mycenean Period 2000 ~ 1200 BCE • 2000 - 1400 Dominant • burial quite different • characterized by kingship • Agricultural • Traded with Minoans • Linear B script • Learned from Minoans • Conquered & Usurped Minoan position in Med. Lion’s Gate at Mycenae Back
Greek Dark Ages 1150 - 750BCE • Loss of major elements of Mycenean Civ. • Homeric Age • Homer: Iliad; Odyssey • No written documents • Means to success & immortality: heroism, honor, fame Back
The Acropolis, Athens Center of Polis cult: contract with a protector deity to defend polis. In exchange, polis people perform worship activities. “Faith” was not an issue. Defensive fortress. Back
Polis • City/state • The center of Greek society, & the largest political unit. • Centered on the “Acropolis” & including an “Agora” • “Aristocracy” & “Oligarchy” • Tyrants • “Citizens” and others in the Polis Back
Hoplite Revolution Back
Persian Wars • 492 BCE 1st Persian expedition destroyed by storms • 490 BCE 2nd expedition defeated by Athens at Marathon • 480 BCE 3rd Persian expedition destroys Spartan Army at Thermopylae, but Persian navy is detroyed by Athens at Salamis. Athens Razed Leonidas I of Sparta Back
Greek Trireme Back
Athenian EmpirePelopponesian Wars, 431 - 404 BCE • The Pelopponesian wars were between Athens and Sparta • Eventually, Sparta won in 404 BCE • Primarily a problem of citizenship & trade Back
Peloponnesian Wars • Over Delian League (Athenian Empire) • 460~451 BCE 1st Peloponnesian War • Pericles • 431 2nd Peloponnesian War • Plague in Athens (Pericles killed) • 404 Sparta Captures Athens Back
Macedonia & Alexander’s Empire • Philip II • Unification of Greece • Alexander the Great • 334 - 323 BCE Conquests • Died 323 Babylon Alexander’s Route Back
Greek Philosophy • Thales of Miletus • Explains world through natural occurrences • With Anaximander: material vs. form • Pythagorus of Samos • Democritus & Atomic Theory • Hippocritus & Medicine (dissections) • Herodotus of Halicarnassus (484-425 BCE) Back
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle • Socrates 470~399BCE • Human virtue in intellectual activity • Condemned to die for “corrupting the youth” • Plato • form/material, The Allegory of the Cave • “Realm of Images” • Aristotle • Materialist, Cataloged facts & knowledge Back
Greek Art Moscophoros the Calf Bearer: Archaic Greek Sculpture
Classical Sculpture Discobolos @450 BCE
