Quiz Two Study Guide
What was the 1st Sacred War?
"1st Sacred War": for control of Delphi During Pheidon's tyrannical reign Wars fought for control of Delphi Amphicytonic League of Delphi vs Kirrha for Control of Delphi (Apollo's Shrine) Poisoned Water leaves the defenders with diarrhea
What is Hesiodic Epic?
"Hesiod" and Hesiodic epic Didactic epic: "wisdom literature" (compare Biblical Proverbs) Theogony: creation of universe > world as it is "now" Works & Days: living in the world as it is "now"
What is Rhipsaspis?
"Shield flinger" Cowards who fled from hoplite army Throwing away your shield to retreat/flee from battle
Who was Cleisthenes of Sicyon?
(Late 7th-early 6th C - more historical) Ancestry: Old Aristocrats Domestic policy: control of elites; appeal to masses? Foreign policy: hostilities with Argos, Corinth Panhellenic festivals: Reorganizes Pythian Games (Delphi) Helped win the 1st Sacred War against Argos at Kirrha
When and where did the Standardization of Greek Texts occur?
317-150 BCE: standardizing (fixed texts) Alexandria & Hellenistic scholarship
What time period is the oral and writted history of Epic Greek Poetry?
550-317 BCE: definitive (oral + early texts) Traditional composition-in-performance dying out Athens & the Panathenaic festival (Peisistratus) Aristotle & Alexander the Great
What time period is the strictly oral history of Epic Greek Poetry?
750-550 BCE: formative / Panhellenic (oral only) Panhellenic festivals (Olympics, Panathenaia at Athens, etc.) Hero cult at BA, EIA sites: traditional stories explain visible remains
What is an apoikia?
A Greek Colony - Independent Political Unit The apoikiai retained connections with the mother city, where the majority of the population and the founder would have originated from. In theory, apoikiai could even call on the mother city in times of need. - Has a mother city A city-state on its own
What is a Hoplite?
A Greek Soldier who provides his own armor Hoplites (Greek: Ὁπλιτης) were citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greek city-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields. Hoplite soldiers utilized the phalanx formation in order to be effective in war with fewer soldiers. The formation discouraged the soldiers from acting alone, for this would compromise the formation and minimize its strengths. The hoplites were primarily represented by free citizens—propertied farmers and artisans—who were able to afford the bronze armour suit and weapons (estimated at a third to a half of its able-bodied adult male population). Hoplites were not professional soldiers and often lacked sufficient military training. However, some states did maintain a small elite professional unit, known as the epilektoi ("chosen") since they were picked from the regular citizen infantry. These existed at times in Athens, Argos, Thebes (Greece), and Syracuse, among others. Hoplite soldiers were relied on heavily and made up the bulk of ancient Greek armies of the time. In the 8th or 7th century BC, Greek armies adopted a military innovation known as the phalanx formation. The formation proved successful in defeating the Persians when employed by the Athenians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC during the First Greco-Persian War. The Persian archers and light troops who fought in the Battle of Marathon failed, because their bows were too weak for their arrows to penetrate the wall of Greek shields that made up the phalanx formation. The phalanx was also employed by the Greeks at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC and at the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC during the Second Greco-Persian War. The word hoplite (Greek: ὁπλίτης hoplitēs; pl. ὁπλῖται hoplitai) derives from hoplon (ὅπλον, plural hopla ὅπλα), the name for the type of shield used by the soldiers. However, the shield was more commonly known as an aspis, so the word hopla may refer to the soldiers' weapons or even their full armament.[6] In the modern Hellenic Army, the word hoplite (Greek: oπλίτης) is used to refer to an infantryman.
What is an emporia?
A Greek Trading Outpost Not to be confused with a Greek Colony Not an independent political unit This word described the other type of Greek colony, which was closer to a trading outpost than an independent political community, and emporium did not always have mother cities.
What is a Cleruchy?
A cleruchy (Greek: κληρουχία, klēroukhia) in Classical Greece, was a specialized type of colony established by Athens. The term comes from the Greek word κληροῦχος, klērouchos, literally "lot-holder". Normally, Greek colonies were politically independent; they would have a special relationship with the mother city (the metropolis) but would otherwise be independent entities. Cleruchies were significantly different. The settlers or cleruchs would retain their Athenian citizenship, and the community remained a political dependency of Athens - a position reinforced by installing institutions of local government based on Athenian models, such as the council on Samos.
What is a palimpsests?
A manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain.
What is a metropolis?
A mother city
What is Iambod Poetry?
A sub-genre of Lyric Poetry Blame Poetry Personal Attacks (Alceus of Mytenie)
What is zeugetai?
A tier of Solomon's social order in Athens. Third Tier Yoke - Could own two oxen Could become or afford to be Hoplites Worth 200 from their production The zeugitae (Greek: ζευγῖται) or zeugitai were those whose property or estate could produce 200 medimnoi of wet or dry goods (or their equivalent), per year. The term appears to have come from the Greek word for "yoke", which has led modern scholars to conclude that zeugitae were either men who could afford a yoke of oxen or men who were "yoked together" in the phalanx—that is, men who could afford their own hoplite armor. The zeugitae could serve as hoplites in the Athenian army. The idea was that one could serve as a hoplite if he had enough money to equip himself in that manner, i.e. he could produce 200 medimnoi or more per year.
What is the Agora?
Agora - open market place Center of civic and economic life Impact of increased trade Agora: Life Center Open Market Often on the slopes of the Acropolis All civic activity happens in the Agora Speeches given in the Agora Temples/Shrines/Festivals/Games/Singing Competitions/Poetry in the Agora Impact of Increased Trade: Foreign Traders will set up stands: Foreign imported fish as a noncitizen Becomes an Economic Center Also a religious place Open area with buildings on the exterior
What is an Abecedaria?
An abecedarium (or abecedary) is an inscription consisting of the letters of an alphabet, almost always listed in order. Typically, abecedaria (or abecedaries) are practice exercises. Fancy word for the ABCs (Alphabet)
What is a Hoplon (aspis)
An aspis (Ancient Greek: ἀσπίς, plural aspides, ἀσπίδες), sometimes also referred to as a hoplon (Greek: όπλον), was the heavy wooden shield used by the infantry in various periods of ancient Greece. 12-15 lbs
What is the Odyssey?
An epic poem of Homer Narrative ~ a month, 10 years after the Trojan war Setting: Ithaca (home of Odysseus), places Odysseus & son visit The Odyssey as a classic Narrative structure: multiple narrators, compression of time Generational issues; female, slave characters ---------------------- The Odyssey Narrative: 10 years after the Trojan War Setting: Ithaca (home of Odysseus), places Odysseus & son visit The Odyssey as a classic His wife is just as noble if not more noble She resists the suitors for the crown She goes down as the noble wife Helen is not the noble wife Narrative Structure: Multiple narrators (Penelope, his son Telemachus, Odysseys) Compression of time Action in a couple of weeks Flashbacks to 10 years Generational Issues: Gender Slavery
What is Tyranny?
Ancient Tyranny Definition Arises from class strife (Aristotle) Rivalries among elite Circumstances Fully developed polis - existing institutions exploited Personal bodyguard Getting the masses (people) on the side of a military elite from the Hoplites One Aristocrat who manages to consolidate power via the people (Demagogue)
Archaeological Evidence:
Archaeology: Study of how people lived based on what they left behind Archaeology Evidence: Ruins, objects, graves By its nature it tends to be incomplete (Pieceful) (Patch things together) Deal with biases and questions of what happened when you weren't there You can always be proven completely wrong at any moment
What is Ekklesia?
Assembly (Populace) - Ekklesia Normally would be told of things and given a yes/no But normally just informed of the Council's decisions All male citizens
Phoenician influence on Greek Alphabet?
B/c the Greeks increased trade significantly with Phoenicians they need writing Lost Linear A Lost Linear B Phoenicians have a writing script - Alphabetic - Every syllable creates sound They like it, so they keep it But they change it just enough so that it becomes Greek, not Phoenician Early Greek Writing: Probably on keeping logs (but they didn't last) Nestor's Cup
Greek and Phoenician Relationship?
Both the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians extensively colonized vast areas of Europe, along the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts. In doing so, they spread their culture, which strongly influenced the local tribes. For the Greeks, this is called "Hellenization". The Greeks mainly focused their colonization efforts on Italy and the Black Sea. Especially Sicily was a major Greek colony, with the bustling trade port Syracuse at its center. Greek influence was also felt in Cyprus, and the northern Levant. As these regions were also targeted by Phoenician colonization, the cultures not always mixed in peace, but direct conflict occurred. The probably least known fact is that Greece set up colonies as far north as the Crimea (in modern-day Ukraine), and expeditions to the Caucasus region were not unknown (Jason and the Argonauts comes to mind, stealing the Golden Fleece of Kolchis). Phoenician colonization was more focused on the western Mediterranean. The probably most prominent and important Phoenician colony is Carthage. From there, Phoenicians set up colonies all along the north African coast and in modern-day Spain. While the Greek colonization was very much concerned with spreading Hellenic culture, the Phoenicians were traders, and more concerned with making money. While many Phoenician colonies disappeared and were taken over by other cultures after the decline of Phoenicia, Carthage outlasted the Phoenician empire... and rose to become an even stronger power in the western Mediterranean, which would eventually bring fear into the citizens of Rome. Alphabet
Review of Greek Ages:
Bronze Age (2000-1100) Minoans & Mycenaeans trade with Egypt & the Near East Outposts in Asia Minor, Cyprus LBA: collapse of civilizations, trade across east Mediterranean Submycenaean-Early Iron Age (1100-800) Loss of trade network (exception: Lefkandi) Ionian Greeks: Proximity to Near Eastern cultures Early Archaic Period (800-700) Protocolonial: initial contacts Emporia: Al Mina in Syria (Greeks); Kommos on Crete (Phoenicans)
What is a cuirass?
Bronze Breast Plate Hoplite Armor 50-60 lbs
Why are clay tablets good for writing in evidence?
Clay: note paper of antiquity Tablets (ex: Linear A & B), pottery fragments (ostraka) Advantages: (usually) cheap, available; functional, durable Disadvantages: awkward to work with; fragile
What is Tyrannos Logos?
Compromised aristocrat takes power by trickery (usually fake assassination attempt) - Claim they need a body guard (Military) Effective domestic and foreign policies (at first) Becomes corrupt, loses tyranny (periander and Psammetichos) (Next Generation Problems) Tyrants don't spend money on themselves - spend money on the city and the people Now they are liked by the public and have control Usually become corrupt in second generation, son of tyrant
Who is Alceus of Mytilene
Contemporary of Sappho (late 7th-early 6th c.): praises her in poems Close-knit circle of friends threatened by outsiders Solo songs for drinking parties (symposia) Political poetry: ally, then foe of tyrant Pittakos (invective) (Insulting) Universal themes (power, betrayal, revenge, exile) Poet as soldier: rhipsaspis theme Aleceus of Mytilene: Knew Sappho and was a part of a close-knit circle of friends that was threatened by outliers Solo songs for drinking parties (Symposia) Political Poetry: Ally then fore of the Tyrant Pittakos (invective) Poet as a soldier: Rhipsaspis theme Runaway Throw away your shield (joke) Becomes a theme of the Greeks
What is the Boule?
Council (elite) - Boule Need to be able to impress and convince their followers The art of persuasive speech Elites doing most of the governing Appx 500 members
What role did Oligarchy have in the Polis?
Council (elite) - Boule Need to be able to impress and convince their followers The art of persuasive speech Elites doing most of the governing Assembly (Populace) - Ekklesia Normally would be told of things and given a yes/no But normally just informed of the Council's decisions Replaced the Basileus
Development of the Greek Polis?
Development of Plis (City-State) in the Archaic Period (ca 750-480) Development of an elite class Contrary to wanax and elite family in Tholos Tombs Dark Age - Rule of the big man/Chief Power and Authority is not concentrated in one family anymore Agriculture/Land becomes extremely valuable if they are sustaining themselves because of the Bronze-Age Collapse (No Trade) Greek Polis Population: Growing 500-Few Thousand People; Most a few Thousand Normal for there to be a central community and the outlying countryside Synoecism: Unification practices of urban/rural communities politically to make a Polis
What is apparatus criticus?
Editorial Decisions in printing texts: Not direct copies (Multiple manuscripts that are not identical) Appaatus criticus is a inclusion of other manuscripts that the editor didn't use : supplementary data (such as variant readings) provided as part of an edition of a text as a basis for critical study
Writing with Papyrus?
Fibrous reed grown along Nile; main medium 500 BCE-400 CE Scroll (implications for working with texts) Survival from Antiquity (Oxyrhynchus) Advantages: easier to work with; relatively durable Disadvantages: expensive, difficult to procure; fragile
What is the Dactylic Hexameter?
Form of meter in poetry or a rhythmic scheme; used in Homer's Odyssey and all Epic Poetry Dactylic hexameter (also known as "heroic hexameter" and "the meter of epic") is a form of meter or rhythmic scheme in poetry. It is traditionally associated with the quantitative meter of classical epic poetry in both Greek and Latin and was consequently considered to be the grand style of Western classical poetry.
In the Archaic Period (750-480), what did the government of Greek Polises look like?
Governing the polis Early - ruled by kings (basileus) Abolished for oligarchies Council (elite) - boule Assembly (populace) - ekklesia
What is a Muse?
Greek Divine Spirirt of Poetry (Zues + Memory)
Who was Alcman of Sparta?
Greek Lyric Poet from the 7th Century Wrote choral songs for polis (ca 7th century) about big life events and rites of passage Choral Songs = Chorus Was a slave or foreigner from Near East Lyric poetry was the only time Sparta was at head of art
Prometheus and Pandora
He also gives arguments by example Prometheus and Pandora: Female as cause of human misery Why do we give the God's bones and fat? They tried to fool Zeus Pandora: Man caused his own misery with the deception of Zeus and the theft of fire One way Zeus punishes man is by creating women
5 Golden Ages of Men?
Hesiod Works and Days Didactic Five Ages of Man (by Hesiod) The story of the ages of man can be found in Hesiod's Works and Days, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, between the verses 109 and 210, starting with the verse 106 after previously talking about the story of Prometheus, the Theft of godly fire and creation of Pandora which consequently brought mischief among other bad things to the mortals. Hesiod believes that mischief is the reason why his brother Perses is holding back from work and rather bribes the corrupt judges to get the easy wealth from his brother. And at the end of the story, in verse 105, he says that there is no way to escape the will of Zeus who punished both Prometheus and mankind for the deceit. In verse 106 it is evident that Hesiod wants to hold on to that last thought, where there is no escape to the will of Zeus, when preparing to tell the story of the ages of man. Golden age When the deathless gods created the golden race of men, it was a time of prosperity and peace that allowed all living beings to live in harmony, to be happy and in love. It is said that in this age animals could speak with human voice and no one would grow old or get ill. Together, they lived in abundance of everything and even when their time was over, the death came during sleep without any pain. This time was placed during the ruleage of the Titans where Cronus was a leader, after dethroning his father Uranus. But instead of living in peace, Cronus, after hearing the prophecy of being overthrown by one of his children, went and ate five of his children when they were born, except for Zeus who later came and set his brothers and sisters free. They then rebelled against their father and it all escalated to a ten-year war, called Titanomachy, which more or less ended the golden age in destruction. Silver age When the golden age had ended, the golden race still existed and roamed the earth as benevolent spirits. The war, where the Olympians had won, was over and peace was achieved. It was time for the gods to create a new, silver, generation of mankind. This silver race was said to be inferior in all terms to the golden race. They were immature and needed a hundred years to grow up. But when they finally grew up, they lived short lives because of their foolishness to keep sinning and not listening and honoring the gods who were losing patience and at some point Zeus became so mad that he destroyed this silver race of beings and ended the sliver age. Bronze age Beings of silver age were sent to the underworld and became known as the blessed spirits of Hades. Zeus was again bored and decided to make a third generation, called the brazen race of men. These bronze men were strong and warlike, had weapons and armour of bronze and even houses of bronze. They worshipped the destructive works of Ares and, instead of bread, ate hearts of fellow men. In the end they were consumed by their own rage, destroying each other, and were sent to the underworld for eternity, never to see the light again. According to Theogony of the Apollodorus' Bibliotheca, the Bronze age was ended by the Deluge or the Great flood, set up by Zeus for being disappointed and outraged by the aggressive and cannibalistic behaviour of the bronze race. Age of Heroes After the bronze age Zeus created another race, an honorable race of heroes, who were noble and respected the gods. Among them were also individuals with divine qualities, called demi-gods. Most of them died in wars such as Trojan war and Seven against Thebes. The souls of those, who passed away, went to a special place called the Elysian Fields or the Islands of the Blessed, somewhere in the Underworld, surrounded by deep-swirling Oceanus. It was a place where the souls would remain forever and live a blessed and happy life in the same role they had enjoyed in life. It is also said that Zeus eventually promoted his father Cronus, from the depths of Tartarus, to become a ruler of the souls of these righteous and significant people. Iron age And finally, Zeus created the last race of man, called the iron race, where Hesiod puts himself in. It is a time of constant stress and labour. Morality is gone and men are constantly opposing each other, lying and seeding mistrust. It is a time where humans grow old quickly and are constantly beset by troubles and pressures. At the peak of this age people will no longer feel shame or regret at wrongdoing and there will be no help against evil. Mankind will be forsaken by the Gods and Goddesses and Zeus is set to return one day to destroy this race, just like he had done it in the past.
Who is Hesiod?
Hesiod is the author of Theogony. (He took existing stories and put the together). He is the oldest Greek writer and he was a middle class farmer. Hesiod, Greek Hesiodos, Latin Hesiodus, (flourished c. 700 bc), one of the earliest Greek poets, often called the "father of Greek didactic poetry." Two of his complete epics have survived, the Theogony, relating the myths of the gods, and the Works and Days, describing peasant life.
What is Homeostasis in Poetry?
Homeostasis (Tendency or oral traditions to update with contemporary things)?
What is the Iliad?
Homeric Epic: The Iliad Narrative: A Month in the final year of the Trojan War Settings: Greek Camp, Troy, Battlefield in between Proem (Prooimion): formal opening of a literary work All Epics open the same way with an invocation of the muse Sing to me oh muse the story Menis, wrath (of Achilles): first word = main theme Wrath against Aggamendomd Wrath when Patrycees gets killed against Hector Muse invocation: Greek divine spirit of poetry (Zeus + Memory) Not a one sided story --- Hector and the gang is humanized Nature of the fighting is unique Iliad Book I: Interpretation Homeric Society: Aristocratic perspective Mixed government (Not a lot of evidence that this happened with Mycenaeans) Retrojecting their system of government on the class Reading about Rommel, Patton, and Eisenhower Nature of Fighting is weird: Focus of Homer's Epic is on the Aristocrats fighting one another Complicated Heroes: Achilles, Hector Contrary to generically bad Hollywood villains Humanized view of both sides Achilles is a flawed hero Hector probably comes off as the best, most noble and sympathetic character with Prion. When Prion begs for his son's body back he drops on his hands and knees to give him Hector's body back Achilles lets go of his anger and gives his corpse for burial
What are the Homeric Questions?
Homeric Questions: Who composed the early epics? (Meaning of "Homer", "Hesiod" Kypria: Traveling Poets: Bard: Would probably never perform these the same way twice Was Homer real? Was Homer the first person to write it down? Was Homer the best at it? The best known at it? Homeric: Iliad & Odyssey; "Homerica" "Example;Kypria" Hesiodic: Theogony, Works & Days; "Hesiodic"
Why did Greeks form colonies?
In Ancient Greece a vanquished people would sometimes found a colony, leaving their homes to escape subjection at the hand of a foreign enemy; sometimes colonies formed as a sequel to civil disorders, when the losers in internecine battles left to form a new city elsewhere; sometimes to get rid of surplus population, and thereby to avoid internal convulsions; and sometimes as a result of ostracism. But in most cases colony-founders aimed to establish and facilitate relations of trade with foreign countries and to further the wealth of the mother-city (in Greek: μητρόπολις mētropolis).
What is Partheniae?
In Ancient Greece, the Partheniae or Parthenians (in Greek οἱ Παρθενίαι / hoi Partheníai , literally "sons of virgins", i.e. unmarried young girls) were a lower ranking Spartiate population which, according to tradition, left Laconia to go to Magna Graecia and founded Taras, modern Taranto, in the current region of Apulia, in southern Italy. Servius and Heraclides, said the Parthenians bastards who had resulted from the unions of Spartan women and their slaves, always during the Messenian war. This tradition is told to explain the origins of Locri, also in Magna Graecia. Spartan Colony Formed by sons of Spartan women who slept with their slaves during a 20-year Messenian War
What was a Basileus?
In Archaic Greek, the Basileus was the King of the City-State Early on feature of the Archaic Period Was replaced by oligarchy Early in the Archaic Period: Rule by Kings (Basileus) Most powerful, but has strong checks on his power The Basileus as the King will die out at the hands of the Oligarchy
Interactions between the Poleis?
Interaction of the Poleis Keep Oligarchic Identity Led to the Creation of the Leagues Mutual Defense Pack against invasion Keep fellow League members in check Amphictyonic League (Delphi) Pan Hellenic Ground Belongs to all Greeks, so make it safe from outside force But also protecting it from others within Peloponnese League: Ruled by a Hegemon Sparta is a hegemon in the sense that they say what goes Corinth and Argos still have to convince them what to do Still, Sparta is the most influential Beotion League: Hegamon 1st among equals Army of the Polis: Came with self-Reliance farming (Self-Sustainability) Rise of the Farmer coincides with the rise of the Hoplite Don't have to be super rich But need to be wealthy enough to afford the armor and sword Hoplon equipment: Heavy infantry and equipment for moving forward (Aspis); Cuirass; xiphos Style of Fighting: Phalanx Straight wall of men, 8 men deep Everything is meant to go forward No gaps Protect each other via shields Smash into each other like a rugby mash Smash with spears, which often break Rarely thrown, normally used to stab The guys in the back have to PUSH If you can push through and get their sides exposed the losers run Gory battles If you win, they run and the victors set up a big flex thing If you capture someone, ransome them If they don't pay up, who can keep em as slaves or put them to the market --------------------------
Conclusions from Early Greek Lyric Poetry?
It evokes the spirirt of the Upper Class "Orientalizing" Greek Society (700-500) References to Near Eastern Luxury, hoplite warfare Politics: Tyrants/Factions/Exiles/Inter-Polis Cooperation & Conflict Personal Voice: Poets asserts his/her place in Narrative (Different than the Epic) Conclusions: Evokes the spirit of the upper class "Orientlaizing society" Poet as the individuals and the individual tyrant society References to near Eastern Luxury Hoplite Warfare Politics: Tyrants, factions, exiles, inter-polis cooperation and conflict We know history about the Tyrnats Poets don't just travel They bounce around the polis Personal Voice: Poet assets his/her place in Narrative They sing about themselves They put themselves into the narrative Can be false, but the idea of the self in music starts here Self Expression through music Universal Themes: Exile/Colonization (Outsider Perspective) War: Leadership (Archilochos) Limitations on Bravery (Rhisaspis) Love: Transcendent Power (Sappho) Blame: Personal and Political (Archilochos)
What is didactic literature?
It is intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive. Works and Days
How was Epic Poetry told?
It was performed Orally to fit into the local narrative Thousands of lines long In the Dactylic Hexameter
What is Epic Poetry?
Its the writing of long narrative poems about heroic actions and events A long poetic narrative of significance to a community Long narrative poem that deals usually with wars/gods/ supernatural/ long journeys Thousands of lines long Different characters and settings used the Dactylic Hexameter: The only acceptable meter of Epic Poetry Topics: Wars, creations, gods & heroes, didactic They would have a public gathering and then sing/speak the lines Performances/Recitals of Sections of it If you are an Epic Poet -- You are Oral -- You will add in something into it that fits the local narrative and local people Epic Poetry creates the idea of GREEK IDENTITY
Who is Sappho of Mytilene (Lesbos)
Late 7th-early 6th century She wrote solo love songs From Lesbos (Mytilene) island off Asia minor Studied and wrote under tyranny Comes from wealthy merchant family, girl's music teacher Wrote about a love and lust for women --- Lesbos = Lesbian Poems: celebration of the individual, love Loves of: mythic heroes; men/women, women, mother/daughter Love as: physical sensation, sickness
Literary Evidence:
Literary Record One reason we study the Greeks We study the Greeks because of long narrative histories + Poetry + Books and books and books Compared to what was actually written and what services we have very little More missing than what we've found Most extensive and detailed source of evidence Multi-page deep accounts of events NOT ALWAYS the most reliable Was the author there themselves? Do not have autographs --- we have copies of copies of copies Many of our written records our from 800-900 AD Could be slightly changed due to marginal notes and errors Best two try and cross-reference them to one another and find the differences in accounting
Archaic Greek Visual Arts:
Lost & Rare: fragmentary, tapestries, woodwork, paintings (Material Deteriorates or Breaks) Surviving: Vase Paintings - luxury goods (grave, dedication) Sculpture - civic (ex. Temples) or personal Frescoes - civic, nature scenes, relatively rare
What is the flow of Greek History/Culture from Alexandria to today?
Manuscripts in the Library at Alexandria: Founded at 275 BCE Lower case writing Cursive - Ease of writing - don't have to lift the pen Reading with a critical eye - challenging - Accent Book numbers line numbers passage numbers All of this improves the ease of reading ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Rome: Center of Empire (ca. 200 BCE-400 CE) & Christian Church Absorption of Greek Culture Dissemination of literacy, texts, and COPIES that are CIRCULATED throughout the entire Roman Empire -------------------------------------------------------- Greek and Latin will become the common, universal language in the Roman Empire -------------------------------------------------------- Byzantine Empire: Direct Successor to Ancient Greek Culture Preservation of Greek Literacy Culture until Renaissance Constantinople as the Capital Will continue the culture of copying classical literature Most of their new work is Christian oriented -------------------------------------------------------- Christianity and the Preservation of "Pagan" literature in the Middle Ages Western Europe: Catholic Church, Kings of emerging nation-states Eastern Europe: Greek Orthodox Church, Byzantine Empire; Islam The Islamic World in Baghdad lived through the failures of the West and East -------------------------------------------------------- Greek and Latin languages Loss of Greek in Western Europe until Renaissance (ca. 1453 CE) Continuous Latin Tradition Really starts with Petrarch --- Rediscovers Cicero (and Virgil) Renaissance really starts in 1453 Fall of Constantinople in 1453 Greek Scholars flee into Italy Classical Scholarship becomes a profession Italy first, then spreading north into the Germanic Countries (Reformation) Printed Texts: Greek Texts early (New Testament, Homeric epics by 1500) Gutenberg Printing Press Nearly all ancient texts that survive to Renaissance are currently available to us Reading increased with the Printing Press because it used to be so expensive to acquire words on paper (written by hand is not easy) Modern Editions of Ancient Texts Using Books/Chapters/Line Numbers System developed in Alexandria Editorial Decisions: Not direct copies (Multiple manuscripts that are not identical) Appaatus criticus other manuscripts that the editor didn't use
What is the Library of Alexandria?
Manuscripts in the Library at Alexandria: Founded at 275 BCE in Egypt Sponsors: Ptolemies (Greek kings of Egypt) Collections Editing Lower case writing Cursive - Ease of writing - don't have to lift the pen Reading with a critical eye - challenging - Accent Book numbers line numbers passage numbers All of this improves the ease of reading
Writing on Metal?
Metal: high-value items (plaques, grave goods) Advantages: durable, relatively easy to work with Disadvantages: expensive; often melted down and reused
Why did so many of the Greek Lyric Poets come from Asia Minor?
Most of it comes from Asia Minor and the islands off the coast of Turkey Makes sense b/c this is where the rise of tyranny begins Also this is where exiles are sent While they may have engaged in poetry at home, they were in politics for their job When exiled they have time to write and experience of moving
What kinds of Lyric Poetry subjects were there and what did they consider?
Non-Professional: Soldiers (Archilochus) (Spartan: Big pace for Lyric Poetry) Statesmen: (Solon) (Put himself into 10-year exile) Professional: Employed by wealthy patrons, tyrants (Pindar) A Polis may hire them as well Especially after the Games ---- Write a Lyric about the great athlete Mini-Epics: Subject Matters Love Songs, Mini-Epics, Didactic, Invective Established he motiffs for love songs Performances: Festivals + Weddings + Symposiums Symposiums: Solo performances --- Gatherings of Friends
Who is Cypselos of Corinth?
Oracle said he would overthrow the dyansty Cypselos of Corinth (mid-7th to mid-6th centuries; semi-historical) Parents (father of humble origins) Birth: oracle, attempt to kill (compare Heracles, Perseus, etc.) Position: polemarch (military commander) The archon in charge of the military, and he used his influence with the soldiery to expel the Bacchiadae, the ruling family who tried to kill him as a baby because of the prophecy of the Oracle Coup with popular support (demagogue) Had a Treasury at Delphi Corinthian pottery exports in Orientalizing period His son is Periander
What is Elegy?
Originally Funeral Songs Evolved to a variety of subjects including: Love Didactic (Instructive) Invectice (Insulting)
What is Panhellenism?
Panhellenism: Idea of a Unified Hellenic Culture We hate our neighbors, but they are Greek nonetheless Iliad: Unite to fight non-Greeks Odyssey: Greekness as measure of all cultures Reception of Greek Culture
What is writing on parchment?
Parchment (processed animal hide; 400-1500 CE) First true books Advantages: more workable, durable than papyrus; recyclable Disadvantages: expensive; recyclable (palimpsests)
Who is Periander, son of Cypselos?
Periander (/ˌpɛriˈændər/; Greek: Περίανδρος; died c. 585 BC), was the Second Tyrant of the Cypselid dynasty that ruled over Corinth. Periander's rule brought about a prosperous time in Corinth's history, as his administrative skill made Corinth one of the wealthiest city states in Greece. Periander was the second tyrant of Corinth and the son of Cypselus, the founder of the Cypselid dynasty. Periander built Corinth into one of the major trading centers in Ancient Greece. He established colonies at Potidaea in Chalcidice and at Apollonia in Illyria, conquered Epidaurus, formed positive relationships with Miletus and Lydia, and annexed Corcyra, where his son lived much of his life. Periander is also credited with inventing a transport system, the Diolkos, across the Isthmus of Corinth. Tolls from goods entering Corinth's port accounted for nearly all the government revenues, which Periander used to build temples and other public works, and to promote literature and arts. He had the poet Arion come from Lesbos to Corinth for an arts festival in the city. Periander held many festivals and built many buildings in the Doric style. The Corinthian style of pottery was developed by an artisan during his rule. He killed his wife in a fit of rage and then had intercourse with her corpse. He died from grief when his son was killed after told to come back home to reclaim the throne.
Who is Pheidon of Argos?
Pheidon (Greek: Φείδων) was an Argive ruler during the 7th century BCE and 10th in line to Temenus. He was arguably Argos's most ambitious and successful ruler during the 7th century BCE. There is a possibility that were in fact two different Pheidons who were both rulers of Argos. According to tradition, he flourished during the first half of the 7th century BC. During this, the Argive monarchy was nominal with almost no genuine power. Pheidon seized the throne from the reigning aristocracy with the support of the lower classes. He is considered in the tradition of other tyrants, like Gyges of Lydia, as an outsider to the ruling caste in some ways even though a fragment of the Parian Chronicle confirms him to have been a noble and places him as eleventh in line from Heracles. Scholarship has called Pheidon's 'reign' a tyranny based on Aristotle's definition in Politics. He was a vigorous and energetic ruler and greatly increased the power of Argos, he rounded up the broken parts of Temenus's entire inheritance, and during his reign several other tyrants emerged through the city-states, such as Cypselus of Corinth and Theagenes of Megara, possibly inspired by him. It is probable that he was the originator of hoplite phalanx, which influenced the Spartans. Herodotus further states that Pheidon established a system of weights and measures throughout the Peloponnesus, to which Ephorus and the Parian Chronicle add that he was the first to coin silver money, and that his mint was at Aegina. (Not Guaranteed) Barely Historical --- System of Weights and Measures
Who is Archilochos of Paros?
Poet, Soldier Lover (7th Century) Composes both elegiac and iambic poetry Scathing iambic poetry Poems mention eclipse of 648 BCE, Lydian ruler Gyges (d. 652) Eclipses are good b/c firm date We know he is alive in the 650s Biogrpahy: Said to be a son of a colony-founder and a non Greek-Slave Archilochos of Paros is famour for his Soldier Poetry: Rhipasaspis - Suspect of Leadership He is popular in Sparta because it is a humorous concept Was Archilochos really serious? No Greek would believe it He is suspect of leaders and anti-power Matched the Spartans who were suspect of Tyrants Archilochos is
What is lyric poetry?
Poetry that expresses speaker's emotions or thoughts. The evolution of Greek Poetry from Epic Poetry to Lyric Poetry Epic is appreciated, but not created --- like classical music today. Any poem sung (Performed) to the lyre ( stringed musical instrument) is lyric. -first person voice -personal (love, hate etc) Origins: late Geometric-Orientalizing periods Earliest extant poems - 7th C Survival: Nearly all fragmentary (papyri, quotes) So and So stood up at a banquet today and sung "Stairway from Heaven" Papyrus fragments: Because these poems tend to be shorter we do have some full poems We even have some with groups from the same author But we don't have robust and full collections Preserving these isn't as important as preserving the Epics Defined by its: Performance contexts: small groups to public arenas Form: brief poems; little narrative; complex meters (Not going to be thousands of lines) Sub-genres: lyric, elegy, iambos Narration: frequent use of first-person voice ("I", "we", "you") The biographical fallacy (poet = poetry) (Little bit of a liar) Subject Matter: Personal (Love;Hate; etc.) Cf. Tyrants: The individual emerging as a concept in politics and art in Lyric poetry the rise of the individual Mycenaeans: We had the Wanax --- He is important With Oligarchy: We have competition --- Ends in Tyranny Rise of Tyranny coincides with Art b/c tyrants are patrons of the art Oh look I'm so great about art. I feed them, clothe them. Now write great songs about me. Epic: Pan Hellenism: For all the Greeks
What were the policies/opinion of Tyrants?
Policies of tyrants Building projects, support of crafts Public perception/opinion of tyrants Very popular persons in their first generation The honeymoon often wore off if the Tyrant tried to pass power onto his son What Glory or Honor did the Son ever earn or show? They become patrons of the arts in their courtyards
Understanding Ancient Greek Tyranny
Political institutions fail to adapt to economic, social changes Power remains with elites (not true revolution "from below") Tyrants support each other (interstate elite) Support from non-Greeks
Who is Polycrates of Samos?
Polycrates of Samos (rules 535-522; fully historical figure) Originally ruled a military aristocracy Then ruled with his brothers rules with brothers After exiling them, he ruled alone as a Tyrant Allies with Egypt; Makes Samos a seapower in Aegean Public works: rebuilds Heraion; patron of the arts Conquered by Persians (522) and dies and glorious death
Originally, what was the purpose of Greek Writing?
Probably on keeping logs and records There was a lot of regionalism in writing until 250 BC Originally all capitals with little punctuation. Information Technology Changes Syllabic Greek (Linear B) (1500-1100 BCE) (Administrative Records) Seems to uniform dialect Alphabetic Greek: 800 BCE-Present Because the Dorians come in and the Athenians come in we have regionalism of spelling and script (different alphabets in different places) until 250 BCE with Alexander All capital letters Little Punctuation Little Word Spacing
What is a Proem?
Proem (prooimion): formal opening of a literary work Formal opening of a literary work
How did the Orientalizing Period influence politics in the Polis?
Ruling classes of Greek poleis emulate NE rulers Luxury items: clothing, jewelry, furniture etc. Government: the allure of one-man-rule
Naples Colonization?
Settlers from two cities in Euboea, Greece, jointly colonised the nearby Cumae, the earliest Greek city on mainland Italy. The earliest founding of Naples itself is claimed in legend to be the Greek colony Phaleron (Latin: Phalerum), after the hero Phaleros, one of the Argonauts.
What is a Parthenaion?
Song for choir of girls (parthenoi) They sang choral songs Spartan Women: Drink + Play Sports + Nude in Public (Very Different than Athens)
What region/Polis never had a Tyrant?
Sparta?
What is a Phalanx?
Straight wall of men, 8 men deep Everything is meant to go forward No gaps Protect each other via shields (You cover the man on your Left) Smash into each other like a rugby mash Smash with spears, which often break Rarely thrown, normally used to stab The guys in the back have to PUSH If you can push through and get their sides exposed the losers run Gory battles If you win, they run and the victors set up a big flex thing If you capture someone, ransome them If they don't pay up, who can keep em as slaves or put them to the market Greek Polis would fight on flat terrain
What are elegy and iambos?
Sub-Genres of Greek Lyric Poetry Elegy = Originally Funeral Songs - Evolved to include a variety of subjects: Love Didactic Invective Iambos (iambos) = Blame Poetry (Personal Attacks) (Alceus)
What is Synoecism?
Synoecism or synecism (/sɪˈniːsɪzəm/ si-NEE-siz-əm; Ancient Greek: συνοικισμóς, sunoikismos, Ancient Greek: [syːnɔi̯kismós]), also spelled synoikism (/sɪˈnɔɪkɪzəm/ si-NOY-kiz-əm), was originally the amalgamation of villages in Ancient Greece into poleis, or city-states. Etymologically the word means "dwelling together (syn) in the same house (oikos)." Subsequently, any act of civic union between polities of any size was described by the word synoikismos. The closest analogy today is the incorporation of a city; in fact, "incorporation" is often used to translate synoikismos, in addition to the Latinized synoecism. Synoecism is opposed to Greek dioecism (διοικισμóς, dioikismos), the creation of independent communities within the territory of a polis. 5 - Villages and 1 Great Founder
What is Syracuse?
Syracuse (/ˈsɪrəˌkjuːs, -ˌkjuːz/; Italian: Siracusa, pronounced [siraˈkuːza]; Sicilian: Sarausa/Seragusa; Latin: Syrācūsae; Ancient Greek: Συράκουσαι, Syrakousai; Medieval Greek: Συρακοῦσαι) is a historic city on the island of Sicily, the capital of the Italian province of Syracuse. The city is notable for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace of the preeminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes. This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world. Syracuse is located in the southeast corner of the island of Sicily, next to the Gulf of Syracuse beside the Ionian Sea. The city was founded by Ancient Greek Corinthians and Teneans and became a very powerful city-state. Syracuse was allied with Sparta and Corinth and exerted influence over the entirety of Magna Graecia, of which it was the most important city. Described by Cicero as "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all", it equaled Athens in size during the fifth century BC.
Where is Al Mina?
Syria
The Emporium at Ischia in the Bay of Naples was established by whom and when?
The Euboeans around 800 BC Also known as Pithecusae
Who established Al Mina?
The Euboens It was the first Greek Colony established It was an emporium
What is the Law-code at Gortyn?
The Gortyn code (also called the Great Code) was a legal code that was the codification of the civil law of the ancient Greek city-state of Gortyn in southern Crete.
What is the Orientalizing Period?
The Orientalizing Period Artistic 'revolution' - Near Eastern motifs Revived trade network Renewed contacts emporia (Al Mina, Naukratis); Greek mercenaries; colonies Anatollian and Syrian influences --- Naturalistic and figurines are more popular In the Archaic phase of ancient Greek art, the Orientalizing period (or "Orientalising") is the cultural and art historical period which started during the later part of the 8th century BC, when there was a heavy influence from the more advanced art of the Eastern Mediterranean and Ancient Near East. The main sources were Syria and Assyria, and to a lesser extent also Phoenicia and Egypt.[1][2] The period gave ancient Greek art ornamental motifs and an interest in animals and monsters that continued to be used for centuries, and were spread to Roman and Etruscan art. Monumental and figurative sculpture in this style may be called Daedelic, after Daedalus, who was according to legend the founder of Greek sculpture. The period is characterized by a shift from the prevailing Geometric style to a different style with Eastern-inspired motifs. The new style reflected a period of increased cultural interchange in the Aegean world, the intensity of which is sometimes compared to that of the Late Bronze Age. The emergence of Orientalizing motifs in Greek pottery begins to be clearly attested at the end of the Late Geometric Period, though two schools of thought exist regarding the question of whether or not Geometric art itself was indebted to eastern models.[3] In Attic pottery, the distinctive Orientalizing style known as "proto-Attic" was marked by floral and animal motifs; it was the first time discernibly Greek religious and mythological themes were represented in vase painting. The bodies of men and animals were depicted in silhouette, though their heads were drawn in outline; women were drawn completely in outline. At the other important center of this period, Corinth, the orientalizing influence started earlier, though the tendency there was to produce smaller, highly detailed vases in the "proto-Corinthian" style that prefigured the black-figure technique.[4]
Who were Milman Parry & Albert Lord?
The Parry-Lord Model of Composition-In-Performance Milman Parry & Albert Lord Americans; begin work in late 1920s Statistical and Comparative analysis of the Greek Epic Tradition The Slovakians (Name?) would recite 11,000 line poems while working They knew the story line over and over They had stock lines and guaranteed lines (to think of what is coming next) Can't memorize it all and they alter it here and there Certain stock lines/rhymes/words in music Guslari They knew the story, but could change little things
What is chora?
The area outside of the polis, the surrounding countryside
What is the Archaic Period (750-480) defined by?
The development of the Polis
What is an Oikstes?
The oikistes (Greek: οἰκιστής), often anglicized as oekist or oecist, was the individual chosen by an ancient Greek polis as the leader of any new colonization effort. He was invested with the power of selecting a settling place, directing the initial labors of the colonists and guiding the fledgling colony through its hard early years. As a result, the oikistes was often accorded his own cult after his death, and his name was preserved even when all other details of the founding of a colony were forgotten.
The Hawk and the Nightingale?
The original fable appeared in Hesiod's poem Works and Days, a work dating from some seven centuries before the Common Era and thus long before Aesop's traditional dates. It is used to illustrate Hesiod's account of man's fall from the Golden Age of innocence to the corrupted Age of Iron. As an example of its violent and arbitrary character, the story is told of a hawk that seizes a nightingale; when the songbird cries in pain, the hawk addresses it: 'Miserable thing, why do you cry out? One far stronger than you now holds you fast, and you must go wherever I take you. And if I please I will make my meal of you, or else let you go. He is a fool who tries to withstand the stronger, for he does not get the mastery and suffers pain besides his shame.'
What is Nestor's Cup?
The term Cup of Nestor or Nestor's Cup can refer to: (1.) A magnificent golden mixing cup, described in Homer's Iliad, belonging to Nestor, the king of Pylos. (2.) A golden goblet, found at Mycenae, which the excavator, Heinrich Schliemann, identified as the cup of Nestor described in the Iliad. (3.) A clay drinking vessel of the 8th century BC found at Pithekoussai, Ischia (Italy), which bears a famous inscription comparing itself to Nestor's cup as described in the Iliad. -------------------------------------------------------- Probably not the goblet found at Mycenae by Schliemann. The cup found at Mycenae differs from Homer's description in several respects, apart from being much smaller. The cup from Mycenae has two handles, whereas Homer's cup has four. Homer's cup has two doves per handle, but the cup found in the shaft grave has a single bird for each handle, and instead of the doves found on the Homeric cup, the birds on the Mycenae cup are falcons. -------------------------------------------------------- The so-called Cup of Nestor from Pithekoussai is a clay drinking cup (kotyle) that was found by Giorgio Buchner in 1954 at excavations in a grave in the ancient Greek site of Pithekoussai on the island of Ischia in Italy. Pithekoussai was one of the earliest Greek colonies in the West. The cup is dated to the Geometric Period (c.750-700 BC) and is believed to have been originally manufactured in Rhodes. The cup bears a three-line inscription that was scratched on its side at a later time, and it was later used as a burial gift for a young boy. The inscription is now famous as being one of the oldest known examples of writing in the Greek alphabet, side by side with the so-called Dipylon inscription from Athens. Both inscriptions are dated to c.740-720 BC and have been linked to early writing in the island of Euboea. At the beginning, many scholars propose the restitution "I am...". The second and third lines form a hexameter verse each, with a perfect regular scansion. Modern scholars agree that the text is meant as a humorous contrast between the richness of the legendary Cup of Nestor and the simplicity of the clay drinking cup. There are several interpretations, some of which make use of textual emendations, to explain the humorous effect of the perceived incoherence between the first line and the others. One emendation is that the beginning should read: "Νέστορος μὲν ..." ('Nestor's cup may be good, but...'), or "Νέστορος ἔρροι ..." ('Nestor's cup, begone!'). A third hypothesis is that the text was the result of a "drinking-party game": One player wrote the first line, then a second player was challenged to complement the poem with a second line, and so on. This is reinforced by the phrasing of the last verse, which says, albeit very elegantly, that the drinker will become sexually aroused. The most recent hypothesis is the one proposed by Yves Gerhard, with Νέστορος ἔ[ασον] εὔποτον ποτήριον at the first verse : "Leave aside Nestor's cup, as excellent as it may be to drink from; but whoever drinks of this very cup shall immediately be seized by the desire of well-crowned Aphrodite."
What is a xiphos?
The xiphos (/ˈksiːfoʊs/ KSEE-fohss; Greek: ξίφος)[1] is a double-edged, one-handed Iron Age straight shortsword used by the ancient Greeks. It was a secondary battlefield weapon for the Greek armies after the dory or javelin. The classic blade was generally about 45-60 cm (18-24 in) long, although the Spartans supposedly started to use blades as short as 30 cm (11.8 in) around the era of the Greco-Persian Wars. The xiphos sometimes has a midrib, and is diamond or lenticular in cross-section. It was generally hung from a baldric under the left arm.[2] The xiphos was generally used only when the spear was broken, taken by the enemy, or discarded for close combat. Very few xiphoi seem to have survived.
What is Theogony?
Theogony: creation of universe > world as it is "now" Didactic Epic written by Hesiod Theogony: Birth of the Gods - Creation of the Universe Who are we and how/why did we get here No one central character Zeus is one of many gods The only continuous narrative thread is the existence of the universe Pandora's creation The Earth and Universe was created Gods and Titans Humans --- Get worse and worse over time until now Advice on how to live How to plant your corn (naked) and when to do it
What were some of the first and most frequent materials people could write on?
Unprocessed natural material (Bark, wood, leaves; bones) (Processed Animal Hides and then Papyrus from Egypt) First media; little direct evidence for most cultures (incl. Greece) Advantages: cheap, readily available Disadvantages: perishable; difficult to work with
What is Works and Days?
Works & Days: living in the world as it is "now" Epic Didactic Poem by Hesiod Plant your corn naked
What is Menis?
Wrath (Of Achilles) 1st word = Main Theme Wrath against Aggamendomd Wrath when Patrycees gets killed against Hector
Writing on Stone?
Writing on Stone Monuments by the State + Decrees + Law Codes A new law passed in Athens will be carved into stone for all to see Someone dies Honor a God or Goddess Law Code at Gortyn, Crete Advantages: (Usually) readily available; durable Disadvantages: Difficult to work with; often reused
Is there overlap between Lyric and Epic Poetry?
Yes Lyric in epic: laments over Hector in the Iliad Epic in lyric: Sappho's wedding of Hector & Andromache
What is an acropolis?
a high fortified area, usually on a hill Acropolis - Religious Citadel Remnant of Mycenean Palcaes With an Oligarchy, who gets to live in the big fancy home on the Hill? Better not to fight about it, lets just let it sit for the Gods What used to be the house of the Wanax, is now for the Gods You don't live there, or get buried there Festivals/Processions/Worship High point of a Polis
