🏛️Intro to Ancient Greece Unit 6 – Classical Greece: Culture & Society

Key Concepts and Timeline

• Classical Greece period lasted from 5th to 4th centuries BCE, following the Archaic period and preceding the Hellenistic era
• Golden Age of Athens occurred during the 5th century BCE under the leadership of Pericles
  • Marked by cultural, intellectual, and artistic flourishing
  • Construction of iconic buildings (Parthenon) on the Acropolis
• Persian Wars (499-449 BCE) between Greek city-states and the Persian Empire
  • Key battles include Marathon (490 BCE), Thermopylae (480 BCE), and Salamis (480 BCE)
  • Greek victory preserved their independence and culture
• Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta and their respective allies
  • Weakened Greek city-states and paved the way for Macedonian conquest
• Rise of Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE) and the spread of Hellenistic culture
  • Conquered vast territories (Persia, Egypt, India) and created a vast empire
  • Hellenistic period (323-31 BCE) marked by the fusion of Greek and Eastern cultures

Political Structure and Governance

• Greek city-states (poleis) were the primary political units, each with its own government and laws
  • Athens and Sparta were the most prominent city-states
• Athens developed a democratic system of government in the 5th century BCE
  • Male citizens participated directly in decision-making through the Assembly (Ekklesia)
  • Council of 500 (Boule) prepared agenda for the Assembly and oversaw daily governance
• Sparta had a unique political system with two hereditary kings and an oligarchic government
  • Gerousia, a council of elders, advised the kings and proposed laws to the Assembly (Apella)
  • Ephors, elected annually, supervised the kings and maintained the Spartan way of life
• Other city-states had various forms of government (oligarchy, tyranny, monarchy)
• Concept of citizenship was central to Greek political life, but limited to free adult males

Social Classes and Daily Life

• Greek society was hierarchical, with distinct social classes
  • Upper class consisted of wealthy landowners and aristocrats
  • Middle class included farmers, artisans, and merchants
  • Lower class comprised of peasants, laborers, and slaves
• Women had limited rights and were primarily responsible for household management
  • Spartan women had more freedom and received physical training
• Education was important for upper-class males
  • Athenian education focused on rhetoric, philosophy, and the arts
  • Spartan education (agoge) emphasized military training and discipline
• Daily life revolved around the agora (marketplace) for trade, socializing, and political discussions
• Symposia were social gatherings for upper-class men, featuring drinking, music, and intellectual conversations

Art, Architecture, and Aesthetics

• Classical Greek art and architecture emphasized harmony, proportion, and idealized beauty
• Sculpture aimed to capture the ideal human form and convey a sense of movement
  • Famous examples include the Discus Thrower (Myron) and the Venus de Milo
• Architectural orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian) defined the style of columns and entablatures
• Temples were the most important public buildings, designed to house the deity's statue
  • Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, is the most iconic example of Classical Greek architecture
• Pottery was both functional and decorative, often featuring mythological scenes or geometric patterns
• Theater was a significant art form, with tragedies and comedies performed at religious festivals
  • Notable playwrights include Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides (tragedies), and Aristophanes (comedies)

Philosophy and Intellectual Achievements

• Classical Greece saw the emergence of influential philosophers and schools of thought
• Socrates (470-399 BCE) emphasized the importance of questioning knowledge and engaging in dialogue
  • Socratic method involves asking probing questions to stimulate critical thinking
• Plato (428-348 BCE), a student of Socrates, founded the Academy in Athens
  • Developed the theory of Forms, which posits that the material world is an imperfect reflection of eternal, abstract Forms
  • Wrote dialogues exploring various philosophical topics (Republic, Symposium, Phaedo)
• Aristotle (384-322 BCE), a student of Plato, established the Lyceum and made contributions to various fields
  • Developed the system of syllogistic logic and the concept of the "golden mean"
  • Classified living organisms and studied the natural world
• Other notable intellectuals include the historian Herodotus, the physician Hippocrates, and the mathematician Euclid

Religion and Mythology

• Greek religion was polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses believed to reside on Mount Olympus
  • Major deities include Zeus (king of the gods), Athena (wisdom and war), Apollo (music and prophecy), and Aphrodite (love and beauty)
• Myths served to explain natural phenomena, convey moral lessons, and preserve cultural heritage
  • Famous myths include the Trojan War, the labors of Heracles, and the adventures of Odysseus
• Religious festivals and rituals were an integral part of Greek life
  • Panhellenic games (Olympic, Pythian, Nemean, Isthmian) were held in honor of the gods
  • Mystery cults (Eleusinian Mysteries) offered initiates the promise of a better afterlife
• Oracles, such as the Oracle of Delphi, were consulted for prophecies and guidance
• Greeks believed in the importance of honoring the gods and observing proper religious practices to maintain cosmic order and avoid divine retribution

Warfare and Military Tactics

• Warfare was a central aspect of Greek society, with conflicts between city-states and external threats
• Hoplite phalanx was the primary military formation, consisting of heavily armored infantry armed with spears and shields
  • Emphasized discipline, unity, and close-quarters combat
• Sparta was renowned for its military prowess and the skill of its warriors
  • Spartan training (agoge) produced fierce and loyal soldiers
  • Battle of Thermopylae (480 BCE) showcased Spartan bravery and sacrifice
• Naval warfare became increasingly important, especially during the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War
  • Triremes were the primary warships, powered by three rows of oars and equipped with a bronze ram
  • Battle of Salamis (480 BCE) demonstrated the effectiveness of Greek naval tactics against the Persians
• Siege warfare and the use of catapults and other siege engines became more prevalent in the 4th century BCE
• Mercenaries and professional soldiers began to replace citizen-soldiers in the later Classical period

Legacy and Influence on Western Civilization

• Classical Greek culture has had a profound and lasting impact on Western civilization
• Democracy and the idea of civic participation have their roots in ancient Greek political systems
  • Athenian democracy inspired later democratic movements and the development of representative government
• Greek philosophy laid the foundation for Western philosophical thought
  • Socratic method, Platonic idealism, and Aristotelian logic continue to shape philosophical discourse
• Greek art and architecture have influenced Western aesthetic ideals
  • Neoclassical architecture (18th-19th centuries) drew inspiration from ancient Greek forms and proportions
  • Greek sculpture has been admired and imitated for its idealized beauty and naturalism
• Greek literature and theater have had a lasting impact on Western literary traditions
  • Epic poetry (Homer's Iliad and Odyssey) and tragic plays (Oedipus Rex) continue to be studied and adapted
• Greek mythology has permeated Western art, literature, and popular culture
  • Mythological figures and stories serve as archetypes and sources of inspiration
• Greek scientific and mathematical contributions laid the groundwork for later advancements
  • Euclidean geometry and the work of Archimedes in physics and engineering
• The spread of Greek culture during the Hellenistic period facilitated the exchange of ideas and the development of a cosmopolitan worldview