CCI 2

Loyalty Oath (after democracy restored in 410 BCE)

"And all the Athenians shall take oath by tribes and by demes over a sacrifice without blemish to slay such an one. And this shall be the oath: "If it be in my power, I will slay by word and by deed, by my vote and by my hand, whosoever shall suppress the democracy at Athens, whosoever shall hold any public office after its suppression, and whosoever shall attempt to become tyrant or shall help to install a tyrant. And if another shall slay such an one, I will deem him to be without sin in the eyes of the gods and powers above, as having slain a public enemy. And I will sell all the goods of the slain and will give over one half to the slayer, and will withhold nothing from him."

Pericles' Final Speech 2

"And do not imagine that what we are fighting for is simply the question of freedom or slavery: there is also involved the loss of our empire and dangers arising from the hatred we have incurred in administering it. Nor is it any longer possible for you to give up this empire.... Your empire is now like a tyranny: it may have been wrong to take it; it is certainly dangerous to let it go."Thucydides 2.63 - For Pericles, empire NOT unjust/immoral everyone hates authority & rulers, BUT "hatred does not last for long" while glory is "stored up forever in the memory of man"- i.e., Athenian strengths & virtues (cf. funeral oration)are worth keeping alive and spreading to other poleis

Thucydides on Pericles' Successors

"But his successors, who were more on the level with each (isoi) other and each of whom adopted methods of demagogywhich resulted in their losing control over the actual conduct of affairs. Such a policy, in a great city with an empire to govern, naturally led to a lot of mistakes...b/c they were so busy with their own personal intrigues for securing leadership"- Cf. Cleon & demagogues = politicians who drew support from demos (common people), patriotic war-hawks who mocked rich elites & educated leaders- Is this a flaw with democracy itself (cf. Herodotus' term , isonomia = "equality under law") does there need to be a strong leader uniting people to avoid strife?

Agamemnon's Dilemma

"But how can I bear to slaughter my own daughter,The glory of my House?How can I stain my hands, the hands of a father,With this young girl's blood, as it drenches the altar?How can I choose? Both ways are full of evil!Should I desert the fleet and fail my allies?The sacrifice stops the storm, The blood of a virgin must be spilled,Rage craves rage, What must be must be."Agamemnon 206-215 (trans. Meineck)

Lysistrata's Sewing Analogy

"First you wash the city as we wash the wool, cleaning out the bullshit. Then we pluck away the parasites; break up strands that clump together, forming special interest groups...Now you're set to card the wool: use your basket for the carding, the basket of solidarity. There we put our migrant workers, foreign friends, minorities, immigrants and wage-slaves, every person useful to the state...Bring it all together now, and make one giant ball of yarn. No you're ready: weave a brand new suit for all the citizens."-Using analogy from oikos/women's world to evaluate polis/mens'world- Analyzes democracy by the members (i.e., a few bad apples can ruin it) cf. Contracleon's point in Wasps about hypocritical elites (e.g., Cleon)

Defining Women's Roles

"For this is what living with a woman as one's wife means—to have children by her and to introduce the sons to the members of the clan and of the deme, and to betroth the daughters to husbands as one's own. Mistresses we keep for the sake of pleasure, concubines for the daily care of our persons, but wives to bear us legitimate children and to be faithful guardians of our households. "Demosthenes 59.122 (trans. DeWitt)- b/c Athenians (and most Greeks) wanted to ensure that they raised and left inheritances to legitimate children, wives (=respectable citizen* women) were expected to be virgins before marriage & faithful during marriage seclusion from male population

George Washington on Political Parties

"However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

Plutarch on Athenian Expenses on Theater

"If one were to calculate the production costs of each tragedy, it would be apparent that the Athenian people have spent more money on ... Oedipus, Antigone, and on the misfortunes of Medea and Electra than on fighting for their supremacy and fighting for their liberty against the Persians." Moralia 348d-349b (trans. Dugdale)Question: How does these "tragic", often depressing plays reflect the height of Athenian culture compared to triumphant works, e.g., Parthenon?

Thucydides on Speeches

"In this history I have made use of set speeches some of which were delivered just before and others during the war. I have found it difficult to remember the precise words used in the speeches which I listened to myself and my various informants have experienced the same difficulty; so my method has been, while keeping as closely as possible to the general sense of the words that were actually used, to make the speakers say what, in my opinion, was called for by each situation."

Defining Women's Roles

"Perhaps I should say a word or two on the duties of women to those among you who are now widowed. I can say all I have to say in a short word of advice. Your great glory is not to be inferior to what God has made you, and the greatest glory of a woman is to be least talked about by men, whether they are praising you or criticizing you."Pericles, end of Funeral Oration (Thucydides 2.46)- b/c only men could participate in war & politics, Pericles (& other Greeks) saw women's roles = mothers of sons (future soldiers), NOT as spoken representatives of democratic ideas/values women best neither seen nor heard (in Athenian mindset)

Alcibiades

"The most ardent supporter of the expedition was Alcibiades, the son of Clinias...Stronger motives were his desire to hold the command and his hopes that it would be through him that Sicily and Carthage would be conquered - successes which would at the same time bring him personally both wealth and honour. For he was very much in the public eye, and his enthusiasm for horse-breeding and other extravagances went beyond what his fortune could supply....

Ps. Aristotle on Solon

"There are three points in the constitution of Solon which appear to be its most democratic features: first and most important, the prohibition of loans on the security of the debtor's person; secondly, the right of every person who so willed to claim redress on behalf of any one to whom wrong was being done; thirdly, the institution of the appeal to the jury-courts; and it is to this last, they say, that the masses have owed their strength most of all, since, when the people are master of the voting-power, it is master of the constitution." Constitution of Athens 9 (trans. Kenyon)- Solon = NOT founder of democracy (that's Cleisthenes), BUT courts & juries = essential feature of democracy

Athena's Dilemma

"This matter is too great to be decided by a mortal. It is not even appropriate that I (i.e., a goddess) preside over a murder trial that inflames such furious rage..."Solution: Trial of OrestesPlot develops in the same way as legal case in Athens:a) pre-hearing appointed magistrate hears facts of the case,decides if trial warranted & which courtb) Trial jury of Athenians hear case: prosecution first, defense secondc) Verdict jury votes one-by-one, majority decision

Thucydides' introduction (trans. Warner)

"Thucydides the Athenian wrotethe history of the war fought between Athens and Sparta, beginning the account at the very outbreak of the war, in the belief that it was going to be a great war and more worth writing about than any of those which had taken place in the past. My belief was based on the fact that the two sides were at the very height of their power and preparedness. ... This was the greatest disturbance in the history of the Hellenes, affecting also a large part of the non-Hellenic world, and indeed, I might also say, the whole of mankind."

Clytemnestra's Speech (After killing Ag.)

"Words, so many words I have said to serve my needs,And now, finally, I am not ashamed to speak openly.How else could I have hung high the vicious netsAnd caught my hated enemy in the inescapable trap,All the while pretending friendship?...This was my work, I do not deny it,He could not have escaped his destiny.I cast my vast net, tangling around him,Wrapping him in a robe rich in evil. I struck him twice and he screamed twice...I struck him again, a third blowFor Underworld Zeus, the savior of the dead."1372-87

Aftermath of Herm Scandal

- Alcibiades wants immediate trial, but his rivals wait till expedition leaves (more damaging/distracting)- Alcibiades DOESN'T go to trial, but defects to Sparta (claims "this is not the Athens I know" &gives Spartans advice on how to beat Athens)Thucydides argues "Athenians thought he was aiming at becoming a dictator, and so they turned against him. Although in a public capacity his conduct of the war was excellent, his way of life made him objectionable to everyone as a person; thus they entrusted their affairs to other hands, and before long ruined the city."Thucydides 6.15

Delian League

- Delian League = Alliance of Greek poleis, led by Athens, using naval warfare to drive Persians away from Greek states, get revenge for war, & get $$ to rebuild - Delos = tiny island sacred to Apollo; chosen b/c strategic position in middle of Aegean and political neutrality

Lysias' Against Eratosthenes 3

- Lysias' case offers human element lacking in history books (e.g., Xenophon); personal account of suffering & injustice under 30 Tyrants- Lysias' family = wealthy metics, fully engaged in Athenian community no frivolous lawsuits / sycophants, contributed to liturgies, friendship with Pericles & other Athenians, etc.- 30 Tyrants target L's family for $$ and only $$ (despite claims by Tyrants that metics = rebels & threats to state)- cf. Lysias' escape through bribery (& more bribery)- Lysias promised $$ for bribe, but when Tyrantsees more $$ in chest, says "I'll take it all!"

Nicias (Against Invasion)

- still enemies near home - Allies at home unreliable - Sicily far away & populous - Syracuse unlikely to attack athens Youthful folly & unnecessary risk

Myth: Homer's Version ( Iliad & Odyssey)

1) Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, leads allied Greek forces against Troy to win back Helen, wife of brother Menelaus; leaves wife Clytemnestra with bard2) Aegisthus (Ag's cousin) kills bard, seduces Clytemnestra, forms plot with her. Aegisthus kills Agamemnon at Aeg.'s house (Clytemnestra kills Cassandra), & Aeg. rules Mycenae3) Orestes (son of Ag. and Cly.) kills Aegisthus (and mother), regains throne, & is praised by Menelaus (and everyone else)- Basically, Homer's version = macho men competing over power, honor, & women (e.g., Agamemnon vs. Achilles in Book 1)

Thucydides Readings for Today

1) Intro; historical methods/approach2) Debate @ Sparta (pre-war): Corinthians complain to Spartare: Athenians, Athenian character vs. Spartan Character; Athenians reply (Persian War, Empire); Debate @ Sparta: Archidamus (king) = "slow down, let's think" vs. other "Athens = bad, war now!" Sparta decides to go to war3) Spartan Ultimatum to Athens & Pericles reply = "don't give in. Athens & navy can beat Sparta in long war."4) War starts; Greece divided between Athens & Sparta5) Pericles' Funeral Oration = praise of fallen Athenian soldiers in 1st year of war, but also praise of Athens itself & its character (democracy, freedom, etc.)

Mythological Innovations of Aeschylus' Oresteia

1)Agamemnon sacrifices his daughter Iphigenia at Aulis (bad weather) before sailing to Troy2) Clytemnestra kills Agamemnon in their own house (bath)3) Consequences for Orestes' revenge (Furies, trial in Athens)

Clytemnestra's Confession

1)Clytem. = Master of deception ("Words, so many words I have said to serve my needs") Clytemnestra has beenplanning this for a while2) Proud ("This was my work, I do not deny it")3) Tired of sexism ("Am I on trial like some senseless woman?"; 4) Angry over Iphigenia ("Oh, he had plenty of sheep to choose from, but he sacrificed his own child, my labor of love..."5) Defender of Justice: "Listen then to my oaths, sanctioned by what is right. By the justice I exacted for my child..."

Development of Democratic Juries in Athens

1)Pre-Solon: Archons/Magistrates- archons = magistrates (from elite families), oversee & judge cases (final decision)2)Solon's Reforms (594 BCE) - Judicial Appeal- juries in case of appeal to archon's decision or ifarchon charged w/ fraud; any citizen could bring charge against any other citizen3)Citizen Juries & Democracy (5th Century BCE)- citizens = jurors & decision-makers (mostly); jurors paid for service

End of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) 2

A) Battle of Arginusae = Major Naval Battle (406 BCE)i) Athenians win big time vs. Peloponnesian navy;in aftermath, strategoi (generals) debate whetherto rescue Athenian shipwrecked sailors or sail to help in another battle; BUT THEN ii) Terrible storm, shipwrecked Athenian sailors dieiii) in Athens = anger & confusion "if you won, howdid you let so many of our men die????"iv) Strategoi put on trial (6 actually show up, out of 8 @ battle & 10 total) all placed on samecharge (=had the same fate) convicted &executed- i.e., Athens executed 60% of military leadership- Democracy out of hand???

Features of Aristophanes & Old Comedy

A) Contemporary Settings & Issuese.g., Wasps set in late 5th century AthensB) Elaborate & Outrageous plot devicese.g., Wasps & old men assaulting the young, Procleon'sabsurd escape schemes (donkey, ropes)C) Mockery of Actual Peoplee.g., Wasps & Cleon, other politiciansD) Vulgar/Sexual humor- Actors wore cheap, silly costumes; (male) characters wore phalloi; many, many sexual references & jokes

Sicilian Disaster

According to Thucydides = "greatest disaster" of war & history generally-War not technically over, but major hit on Athenian morale strife in Athens goes from civil to violent (coups, oligarchs take over, etc.)

Procleon's Affliction

According to Xanthias (slave), Procleon = "mean old bastard", who loves giving guilty verdicts & harsh penalties- Procleon admits as much he brags about how rich guys w/ "soft hands" beg him before trial (embezzlement), guys who "would have never known my existence" w/o trial- Procleon mocks all their defense tactics in trial(e.g., joking, bribery, bringing in family for sympathy)- Procleon believes he has "real power, it makes mere wealthseem worthless"- moreover, juries (UNLIKE archons/generals)are not "held accountable afterward" (i.e., no appeals to jury decision)

Aeschylus' Oresteia& Myth

Aeschylus' Oresteia = 3 plays (Agamemnon, LibationBearers, & Furies) performed together in 458 BCE, sharing plot (death of Agamemnon, revenge by Orestes)-Most tragedies based on Greek myths, and Oresteia usesTrojan War mythology (e.g., Iliad & Odyssey)- Most audiences knew essential mythical plots before performance, BUT they didn't know: a) how tragedian would present character motives & reactionsb) whether tragedian would adapt/change myth

The end of Nicias

After Alcibiades defects, Nicias leads expedition trouble after trouble (Athenians misled by Sicilians, Syracuse = strong, etc.)- Nicias tries to leave, but for superstitious reasons waits (full moon) & gets surrounded by enemy"...(Nicias) was killed, a man who, of all the Hellenes in my time, least deserved to come to so miserable an end, since the whole of his life had devoted to the study and the practice of virtue."Thucydides 7.85, 87

Athens & 30 Tyrants 2

After Athens surrenders, Sparta demands Athens restore "the ancient constitution" (i.e., oligarchy), & forces assembly to accept 30 Athenian (but pro-Spartan) elites/oligarchs =Later known as 30 Tyrants (but not at 1st)- Agenda 30 Tyrants start by prosecuting & executed sycophants/ informers= "thorns in the side of all respectable people." (Xenophon)- (most) Athenians & other Greeks generally acceptedthese punishments (sycophants = unpopular)- BUT then start going after others, esp. democrats Critias = leader among 30 & bloodthirsty says "we must guard our rule like a tyranny" (cf. Pericles' comments about Empire)

Delian League & Athenian Leaders

After Persian War, Athens went through rapid changes in leadership NB: Athens = democracy, BUT popular, leading statesmen emerge (e.g., Miltiades, Themistocles)- Themistocles = hero of Athenian fleet during Persian War;aggravated Sparta after war; arrogance (claimed creditfor saving Athens/Greece) ostracism 471 BCE- Cimon = son of Miltiades (Marathon hero); pro-Spartan position (no spreading democracy), BUT sent Athenian soldiers to help Sparta, Sparta rejected bad PR ostracism 461 BCE- Ephialtes = reformer who took power away from Areopagus council (aristocratic body) gave to assembly, Boule(Council), & (non-aristocrat) jurors assassinated 461 BCE

Resolution: Furies Eumenides ("Kindly Ones")

After verdict, Furies = furious, BUT Athena placates them by offering them position of honor in Athens as Eumenides ("Kindly Ones")- Old vs. New Athena (unlike Apollo) respects the Furies as "elder" & their "greater wisdom" (& so tolerates their tantrum), and maintains several of their key features in new role as Eumenides still associated with women & family, BUT now as goddesses of fertility & reproduction (positive), NOT punishing kin-slayers (negative)

Athena & Athens (2)

Although Athenians always took pride in Athena & qualities they shared (wisdom, smart warfare, etc.), in 5th Century BCE(i.e., period after Persian War), Athena became a sign of Athenian supremacy over other Greek cities- e.g., Delian League had treasury on Delos, BUTthen moved to Athens; afterward, Athens had lots of $$for building projects Acropolis & temples(e.g., Parthenon, Athena Nike, Erectheion)

Archidamian War

Archidamian War = name for 1st part of Peloponnesian War, named after the Spartan king & general Archidamus-Basic struggle = Spartans (land-based military power) invades Attica (Athens), destroys land & crops hopingto lure Athenians into infantry battleVs.Athenians (naval power) stay w/in fortified city walls(including port), admit farmers & rural citizens intocity (crowding); get supplies from ships/imports; fightnaval battles against enemies on sea, wait for Spartato give up invasion

Post-War & End of Classical Age (480-323 BCE)

As Sparta struggled to maintain supremacy in Greece (Thebes became dominant in 360s BCE), several important issues arise, leading to end of "Classical Age" (480-323 BCE)- Empire & control poleis were now used to outsiders (Athens, Sparta) controlling laws & foreign policy (vs. former independence), now just a question of who leads (many changes, Athens Sparta Thebes) - Polis & civic identity for many Greeks, polis became LESS important than other issues; e.g., Athens vs. Sparta becomes democrats (in Athens & Thebes) vs. oligarchs (in Sparta & Thebes/Athens), etc. stasis- Beliefs/culture b/c polis becomes less impt, Greeks develop more individuality in beliefs (religion, philosophy)

Contracleon's Argument

At 1st insults pride of old men (Procleon & chorus) by calling them slaves - BUT he wins argument by using old men's pride & patriotism Athens = rich & powerful, collecting tribute from all over Mediterranean Sea (Delian League)- small % goes to jurors (= true patriots, comparedto heroes @ battle of Marathon)- most $$ (according to Contracleon) goes to demagogues who live in luxury (like tyrants) & "hoodwink" Old men w/ clever talk

Delian League (2)

At first, Delos = location of League's treasury each polisgave annual tribute = either ships or $$$ to help naval defense- Athens & Empire to help Delian League perform its functions, Athens = leader & enforcer:- made sure each poleis gave tribute- established cleruchies similar to colonies, BUTnot independent; essentially Athenian territory,where inhabitants = (poor) Athenian citizens given land AND responsibility to enforce League- refused to let poleis leave the League some poleisrevolted; Athens fought, forced them back, &punished through confiscation & fines- politics? some Athenians wanted to spread democracy, others didn't

Athena & Athens

Athena = patron goddess of Athens (polis named after her)- Athena = goddess of wisdom, (strategic) warfare, weaving; born from headOf father Zeus - cf. AthenianBelief that theyWere born from Earth

Trial of Orestes

Athena's decision marks several important cultural/historical developments in Greek world- Private Revenge Public Justice: family-based vendetta killings replaced by impartial, institutional justice administered by city- Aristocratic Justice Democratic Justice: rather than have case decided by one powerful magistrate, a group of ordinary citizens decide the case (community >individual)- Actions /Force Words/Reason: rather than using words to plan violence (Clyt.'s lies, O & E planning), trials allow opportunity to view different perspectives & cross-examination (vs. might makes right)

Athena & Oresteia

Athena's final judgment = calm, rational proofOf the polis over oikos, BUT also Athenian superiority- Athens = founder of murder trials- Athena = resolver of ancient feuds, violence, revenge- Generally, tragedy (as art form), as well as Athena temples = Athenian pride (i.e., we deserve this empire!) will this come back to haunt Athenians???

Democracy & Athens in 5th Century (2)

Athenian democracy designed to allow for widespread engagement among citizens & to prevent tyranny/monarchy- Non-professional politicians any citizen could serve inmost positions; all citizens had "day jobs", so servingin govt not a full-time profession- Selection by lot any citizen could serve, BUT list ofeligible citizens scrutinized before lottery; officialsalso scrutinized / examined after serving- Jurors any citizen could serve in jury, BUT also jurymembers paid for service; $$ not great (1/2 day's payfor professional), BUT allowed poorer citizens chanceto hold power over others (cf. ostracism)

Aftermath of Debate

Athenians vote yes, but send both cautious Nicias & daring Alcibiades as leaders- Nicias tries to get out of it by making outrageous demands for ships & resources, but Athenians (to his surprise) give him everything he wants- According to Thucydides, this was the mostexpensive & daring expedition of the war (& all time?)- Political Strife Before the expedition leaves, a scandal emerges = mutilation of the herms- probably drunken aristocrats, Alcibiades gets blamed (by political enemies especially)

Athens & 30 Tyrants

Athens & 30 Tyrants- Background During Peloponnesian War, Athens & democracy had tensions w/ Athenian oligarchs/elites- E.g., Council of 400 (411 BCE) = temporary oligarchy;short-lived oath of democracy following, oligarchs (e.g., Critias) exiled- Resentment towards demos ("common folk") & democracy:- Athenian juries (cf. Procleon bragging about poorjurors holding power over rich/elites)- Sycophants ("informants", lit. "fig denouncers") during war, certain Athenians made a living prosecuting rich Athenians (or blackmailing them) in frivolous lawsuits (e.g., contraband figs)- Battle of Arginusae demos executes 6/10 strategoi

Important Events/Factors Before War (2)

Athens & Delian League Athens (by consent of Sparta & other Greek poleis) = leader of Greek resistance to PersiaAfter war Delian League (treasury = in Delos, originally)- BUT Athens started using leadership to develop empire a) cleruchies = Athenian settlements, like coloniesbut loyal to Athens (NOT independent), &helped Athens put down .... b) rebellions allied poleis, no longer wantingto pay tribute ($ or ships) to League (Athens),try to leave, but Athens uses force & punishments to stop them c) a) Pericles moved treasury from Delos to Athens (454 BCE)

Democracy & Citizenship

Athens = safe place for refugees & immigrants, especiallyskilled foreigners = metics ("resident aliens")- metics = major contributors economically& artistically- BUT Athens protective of citizenship (=political rights) only children of Athenian dad AND mom = citizens- most other poleis determined by father alone- Tension between: a) wealthy citizens (contributed $$ to war efforts & art/culture; often served as generals)b) middle-class & poor citizens (strongroles in assembly, Council, & courts)c) wealthy metics

Sicilian Expedition (415-413 BCE) 2

Athens divided about what to do, debate between two prominent leaders:- Nicias = cautious, religious aristocrat (architect of peace) Vs. Alcibiades = young, flamboyant aristocrat eager for personal glory

Melian Dialogue 2

Athens wants Melos to join alliance for several reasons:a) as naval power, having island = good strategicallyb) NOT having island = sign of weakness amongAthenian subjects/allies, causing more revolts- Melos' point of view = we want to remain neutral, we're not (currently) helping Sparta, it's fair & just for Athensto leave us aloneAthens: "...you know as well as we do that, when these matters are discussed by practical people, the standard of justice depends on the equality of power to compel and that in fact the strong do what they have the power to do and the weak accept what the have to accept." - i.e., might makes right (lions eat lambs in the real world)

Significance of Democracy for Tragedy

Audience = pretty much everyone (citizens & non-citizens, even foreigners) low ticket price, & also "welfare tickets" for poorest Athenians- though plays themselves set in various locations, the theater & performances = glorification of Athens & Athenian pride- Plots of tragedies mythical, BUT often deal with political / community issues, catering to audience actively involved in tough questions involving personal vs. public loyalties- Conflict frequently rhetorical/argumentative; audience enjoyed hearing/deciding arguments- Competition: from funding to judging, Athenians took tragedies seriously, sought to produce & reward best plays

End of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) 3

B) Battle of Aegispotami (405 BCE) = deciding naval battle- Athens, in chaos b/c of shake-up with military leadership (Arginusae & executions) unprepared & disorganized in major battle vs. Peloponnesian navy- reportedly Alcibiades (exiled, again!) warned newstrategoi about weaknesses in their position, but theyignored him - Peloponnesians win, devastating Athenian navy & overrunning camp on land w/ superior infantry - = final straw for Athens, now w/o naval superioritythey depended on & no access to imported grain/food - Athens surrenders, Spartans tear down city & port walls

Summary of Agamemnon

Background = end of Trojan War, people in Argos (Agamemnon's kingdom) waiting for Greeks to return homePlot: Watchman's prologue (doom & foreboding); Chorus sings of Iphigenia's sacrifice; Clytemnestra announces fall of Troy & Agamemnon's impending return; chorus notes discord & doubt @ home over war; herald announces return of Greeks (skipped); Agamemnon returns (w/ Cassandra); Clytemnestra welcomes Ag., but quibble over "red carpet"; Cassandra's bad omens (skipped); Clytemnestra kills Agamemnon in house, then boasts publically over dead body; chorus horrified but powerless; Aegisthus boasts (skipped); Clytemnestra = totally in charge of Argos

Lysias' Against Eratosthenes

Background on Lysias: Born in 450s BCE in Athens; metic, (resident alien = son of Syracusan shield-maker,who Lysias says was friend of Pericles) - Lysias & family = wealthy, BUT 30 Tyrants confiscated property & killed L's brother Polemarchus;- Lysias sponsored democratic exiles and aided restoration of democracy- Being robbed of family estate, Lysias turns to new profession = speech-writer in Athens, professional lawyers = illegal; each citizen had to plead his own case- BUT rich men could pay speech-writers to writefor them & help them prepare for case

Council of 400

Background: Alcibiades (now w/ Sparta) decides to switch back to native Athens; offers Athens a deal =a) an alliance w/ Persia (=$$$$) & chance to makefavorable peace w/ Sparta in exchange forb) recalling Alcibiades back into Athens & pardoningc) revoking democratic Assembly oligarchic council of 400 (instead of Boule & Assembly)- Desperate Athenians (including Probouloi) accepted the deal, BUT soldiers in navy (on expedition in Samos) did NOT- conflict among moderate vs. extreme oligarchs,Athenians @ home vs. soldiers abroad, etc. Council of 400 lasted a few months; democracy restored after Athenian naval victory over Sparta (confidence in democracy)

Lysistrata

Background: Comedy by Aristophanes; Performed in 411 BCE shortly after failure of Sicilian Expedition (415-413 BCE)-Magnitude of this loss = fear & panic in Athens- Countermeasures to avoid chaos, riots, & rash decisions by populus, government appointed 10 Probouloi = elderly men to act as head of Boule & make decisions faster & more efficient (=Magistrate in Lysistrata)- Alcibiades (now on Spartan side) urging stasis(revolution) among Athenians & allies, esp. those with Oligarchic tendencies- at end of 411 (after performance of Lysistrata) democracy overthrown by oligarchy = Council of 400

The Trial of the Cheese-Stealing Dog

Background: Contracleon has convinced dad Procleon to stop going to jury duty, b/c 3 obol pay = nothing compared to Athens' weath (jurors being exploited), BUT Procleon still loves Cleon (=demagogue) & judging people, Soooo...Contracleon proposes serving as juror @ home in domestic cases Household (oikos) vs. Labes the dog- parody Procleon insists that oikos here becomereplica of polis courtroom (noting boards, guilty vs. not guilty voting earns, sacred statues, etc.)

Trojan War 2

Chorus' representation conflicted:A) Justice (ideal) Zeus punishes Paris & Trojans for stealing another man's wife "transgressors are pulled downand the unjust are destroyed"Vs. B) Revenge (personal) gossip among people ("all this for another man's wife!") 1000s of "young men, cutdown in their prime"- Chorus (basically) unsure how to deal with competing interests: private (oikos & family) vs. public (soldiers & community)- in Iliad, most heroes see 2 as connected, but privatecomes 1st (e.g., Achilles' curse, Hector & honor)

Athena in Parthenon(Reproduction)

Chryselephantine statue (ivory & gold)- original statue melted for $$ during war)

Comedy in Athens

Comedy = dramatic genre (i.e., comedies= plays); tragedy & comedy = two genres of drama; both performed in public for general audience (not just rich / educated)- Setting: festival/holiday context (e.g., @ Great Dionysia festival, set up by Pisistratus)- competition: each author competed against rival plays/playwrightsAristophanes (~446-385) = Athenian comic playwright, associated with "Old" Comedy of 5th century BCE Athens & Classical Agevs. "New" comedy in Hellenistic Age

Characters in Wasps

Contracleon = middle-aged son, middle- or upper-class (can afford nice things), dislikes father's love of juries & rabble rousing with older citizensProcleon = older father, living in son's house; dresses in poorer, lower-class style; pride in jury duty & in military service (navy); enjoys judging upper-class Athenians in trial- Cleon (demagogue) = major political figure representingdifferent points of view Contracleon hates how demagogues like Cleon manipulate older Athenians like his Cleon-loving father, Procleon- also, Cleon apparently hatedAristophanes, tried earlier to prosecute A. for slander (& lost)

Corinthians on Spartans vs. Athenians

Corinth = polis in Peloponnesus & ally of Sparta; angry b/cAthens aiding a former colony of Corinth against Corinth, claiming Athenians = aggressors, depriving poleis of freedom, & preparing itself for war against Greece & empireCorinthians: "An Athenian is always an innovator, quick to form a resolution and quick at carrying it out. You (Spartans), on the other hand, are good at keeping things as they are..."- Athenians = naturally busy, acquiring & conquering,"incapable of living a quiet life themselves or of allowing anyone else to do so."- Cf. Archidamus (Spartan King) later: don't rush into war with Athens; "slow & cautious" = "wise & sensible", praise for Spartan ancestors

Critias vs. Theramenes in Xenophon's Hellenica 2

Critias makes charges of treason against Theramenes in Boulea) Anti-democracy: "democracy is a form of government detestable to persons like ourselves--to us and to you"- elite Athenian oligarchs closer to Sparta than to Athenian demos- violence = unfortunate, but necessaryb) Theramenes = flip-flopper, seeking democracy or oligarchy depending on his own self-interest- Critias blames Theramenes for Arginusae trialc) By challenging orders of 30, Theramenes sets bad example,will cause more rebellion & bloodshed therefore,he must be killed/destroyed

The Trial of the Cheese-Stealing Dog (2)

Defendant = dog Labes (=parody of Athenian general Laches)Charge = eating Sicilian cheese (=parody of Laches being charged w/ embezzling while in Sicily)- Procleon resumes his judgmental behavior before trial even starts: "This one's a villain if I ever saw one!"

Cleon & Demagogues

Demagogues = literally "leaders of demos (people)", butknown for misleading people exploiting emotions &prejudices in order to achieve their own (dem's) ends- i.e., appearance vs. reality appeal to demos& common good of democracy, but in reality, like tyrants, seeking power & ambition (not principles)- Cleon = Athenian politician who rallied lower-class Athenians w/ angry, pro-war speeches, mockery & disdain for upper-class & educated citizens, & "patriotic" pleas to put Athens over allies - called by Thucydides as "most violent" & "most persuasive with The People (demos)"

Pericles' Final Speech

Despite his current unpopularity, Pericles makes several important arguments:a) Polis = most important, more impt. than individual people suffering privately shouldn't jeopardize polisb) Unexpected things happen in war (plague) despite the bestplanning still, Athenians should keep principlesc) Athens & naval superiority as long as Athens stays w/ plan, not even Persian navy can stop themd) Unsafe to surrender

End of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE)

Despite setbacks of Sicilian Expedition (415-413 BCE) &Oligarchic Coup of 400 (411 BCE), Athens managed to stay in war until 404 BCE - Pericles' strategy (Athens = island, rely on navy &imports) = effective though costly- Athens also used unorthodox but effective methodsto raise $$ & soldiers- e.g., offering freedom to slaves to entice themto join navy- How did Athens lose war? In addition to burdens of such an extended war, two battles stick out:A)Battle of ArginusaeB) Battle of Aegispotami

Cleon in Wasps 2

Dog Trial Cleon = loud, abrasive, constantly calling himself "guard dog" (apparently real Cleon called himself "guard dog of Athens")- BUT in cheese case, he complains:"...THE SAID DOG FAILED TO SUPPLY MYGOOD SELF WITH AN APPROPRIATE SHARE OFCHEESE...WHO IS GOING TO LOOK AFTER YOUR INTERESTS UNLESS A PROPER SHARE ISFIRST GIVEN TO ME, YOUR WATCH DOG."- I.e., Cleon = after the cheese himself! He pretends to protect polis, but actually serves his own interest (cf. Contracleon'sPoint earlier in the play)

Allotment of Juries in 5th Century Democracy

Eligible jurists (citizens, over 30) selected by lot annually (6000 total = sizable % of 25 k citizens)-Paid 2 obols (Pericles), then 3 Obols (Cleon) per day, only on days when they sat at trial- (6 obols = drachma = 1 day's pay skilled labor)- i.e., jury pay = better than no pay, but a paid profession usually = better- Consequently, jurors (generally) = older men, retired or unemployed, earning extra income for family or scraping by with ½ wages of a normal job- cf. Procleon & chorus in Wasps at 1st braggingover power & money, then lamenting how little they have

Plot of Wasps Part 2 (2)

Ending of play (NOT in reading) Procleon offends a LOT of people, who threaten to sue him; Contracleon = embarrassed, locks up dad (again); Procleon gets drunk, gets into a dance-off with some crabs (???) moral = can't teach old dog (Procleon) new tricks (=acting sophisticated)

End of 30 Tyrants

Episodes like Theramenes' execution (& Lysias' brother's) caused massive unpopularity for 30 Tyrants- Democratic Athenians formed rebellion and killed many Tyrants in battles (including Critias)- Sparta tries to aid 30 Tyrants, but b/c of troubles reaches compromise:- Athenian democracy restored (403 BCE; likeCouncil of 400, 30 Tyrants = short-lived)- BUT amnesty ("forgetting") declared for all oligarch sympathizers collaborators except 30 Tyrants themselves (and even some of them pardoned)- 1st historic example of amnesty

Sicilian Expedition (415-413 BCE)

First Stage of War = Archidamian War (431-421 BCE)- 421 BCE = Peace of Nicias (suspension of Athensvs. Sparta hostilities; Athens keeps its empire, pretty much status quo)- In 415, Sicilians come asking for Athens to help them against Syracuse (=dominant polis in Sicily, ally of Sparta) Athenians = ambitious, tempted by offer

Funding of Tragedies

Funding: largest expenses fell to choregos (lit. "chorus leader") = producer who ~voluntarily paid huge amounts of $$ to support chorus, rehearsals, costume, equipment, etc.- Funding a chorus = liturgy (lit. "work of/for the people") basically, an archon would askrich Athenian to be a choregos, and usually rich guyaccepted*- this liturgy process was ALSO used for other expensive undertakings e.g., funding a naval ship!* technically choregos could get out of it, but many seemed to take pride, esp. if their plays won (trophies!)

Pericles & Funeral Oration

Funeral Oration = technically praise for fallen Athenian soldiers, BUT also praise of Athenian polis as "school for Greece" i.e., best, most culturally advanced- one of the most famous speeches in Thucydides & Greek literatureHighlights:a) democracy & equality before law rule of people,no one person controls everythingb) "Our city is open to the world" Athenians admitforeigners, visitors; not anxious & xenophobiclike Sparta & othersc) "love of beautiful" Athens appreciation for art& culture (Acropolis, tragedy, etc.) d) love of polis only in Athens, citizens fully engaged

Furies vs. Apollo (Orestes' representative)

Furies case = a) Orestes killed his mother b) Orestes related by blood to his motherc) = miasma, with no purification/absolution for kin-slayingd) Furies not interested in Clytemnestra killinghusband b/c a) no blood relation b) Clyt. = dead- Apollo's case = a) polis/community = more impt. than home Clytemnestra killed "nobleman sceptered with Zeus-given honor" (cf. Ag's decision to kill Iphigenia)b) mothers = NOT blood-related to children- Athena example Athena has father (=Zeus), no mother (sorry Metis)

Furies & Trial of Orestes

Furies= prosecutors of Orestes in trial, repeatedly point totheir ancient authority in punishing kin-slayers, resentbeing judged by Athena and challenged by Apollo-Athena initially seems hesitant, but allows them to speak & prosecute @ trial 2 considerations: a) precedent Furies' claims to authority/honorb) practical Furies' will punish mankind (plague, malignant poison) if spurned- Furies & Justice: "Fear has its place, it can be good, it stands sentinel, the watchman of the mind...How can the man or city that has no fear to nourish the heart ever have respect for Justice?"- Justice needs to be enforced, & humans can't do that

Thucydides 1.22

Generally, Thucydides tries to present a reasoned, logical account of history that explains how/why things happened based on human/political behavior dawn of modern history (vs. Herodotus & oral tradition)

Humor in Aristophanic Comedy

Generally, humor often tailored to specific cultural contexts that can be difficult to understand for outsiders- Aristophanes & Athenian comedy full of social & political References that don't make sense outside of context(but which 5th century Athenians enjoyed!)- For modern audiences, Aristophanes' comedies = good sources for what average Athenians found funny & thoughtInteresting enough to joke about- BUT need to remember jokes full of comic exaggeration, not necessarily trying to be truthful

Important Events/Factors Before War (3)

Greece & polis culture though Greek poleis (Athens, Sparta, etc.) had formed alliance to resist Persia, this was the exception, not the rule- Athens & Sparta had skirmishes in 460-455 BCE (= "1st Peloponnesian War"), less than 20 years after Persian War ended - in retrospect, we can say certain battles or conflicts= preliminary warm-ups for upcoming war, but for Greeks polis vs. polis war = normal- Peloponnesian War = 431-404 BCE, big, important struggle Analysis of historian Thucydides

Sacrifice of Iphigenia

Greek army, on way to Troy, stranded (hostile winds) on island of Aulis-Calchas (Greek seer) recalled omen (eagles kill pregnant hare, angering Artemis), says Artemis demands sacrifice = Iphigenia, Agamemnon's daughter- Agamemnon's choice: sacrifice daughter or go home, w/o rescuing Helen or fighting in Troy

Herodotus' Introduction

Herodotus of Halicarnassus here displays his inquiry (historie), so that human achievements may not become forgotten in time, and great and marvelous deeds - some displayed by Greeks (Hellenes), some by barbarians (barbaroi) - may not be without their glory (kleos); and especially to show why the 2 peoples fought with each other.- Opening of Herodotus Histories (trans.De Selincourt)

Apollo's Sexist view of Reproduction

How would ancient audience react to Apollo's claim (i.e., woman = not parent, but vessel "stranger fostering a stranger?")- On a literal level, it's absurd, BUT...- Aristotle (~100 years later) seems to support it(women = matter, men = shape/form)- Generally, Greeks determine inheritance / citizenshipfrom father (NOT mother)- BUT Athenians counted BOTH father& mother for citizenship- -literal vs. abstract \ woman's role in society = less than man's- The stark & extreme nature of Apollo's argument probablyprovoked debate rather than resolved it for audience

End of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) 5

Impt. questions/issues after war:- Role of democracy? Though Athenians had assumed democracy = source of strength (citizens fight harder for something that they are a part of), also can be a liability (Arginusae)- Freedom & the polis to what extent is a polis free to govern itself in a world where some poleis (Athens) push one type of govt. (democracy), others another (Sparta & oligarchy)- Greece & unification would Greeks ever join together again? Or will this restore polis rivalries that were the norm before Persian War?

End of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) 4

Impt. questions/issues after war:- Role of democracy? Though Athenians had assumed democracy = source of strength (citizens fight harder for something that they are a part of), also can be a liability (Arginusae)- Freedom & the polis to what extent is a polis free to govern itself in a world where some poleis (Athens) push one type of govt. (democracy), others another (Sparta & oligarchy)- Greece & unification would Greeks ever join together again? Or will this restore polis-culture rivalries that were the norm before Persian War?

Stasis in the Greek World

In Athens, rival political leaders & their followers argued w/ each other (much like modern political parties) BUT this was (mostly) civil in Athens (i.e., no violent coups...for a while)- In other Greek poleis, however, stasis ("revolution") became major issue cf. Thucydides on beginning of war, Greek poleis started taking sides (Athens or Sparta)- As war went on, many poleis became divided over loyalties according to Thucydides "practically the whole of the Hellenic world was convulsed, with rival parties in every state - democratic leaders trying to bring in the Athenians, oligarchs trying to bring in the Spartans."- i.e., political factions used war & violence to oust/killtheir political enemies

Orestes' Revenge

In Homeric/traditional version of myth, Orestes kills Aegisthus (Agamemnon's cousin & killer) Orestes = hero who regains his father's throne from evil (male) usurper- In Aeschylus' Oresteia, Clytemnestra (O's mother) = main killer of Agamemnon, so Orestes must kill his own motherIn Oresteia, Orestes motivated by several considerations:a) Apollo's commandb) Love of his father & sister give both legitimacyc) Restoration of Civil Order calls Clyt. & husband "double tyrants"

Classical Age (480 - 323 BCE)

In aftermath of unexpected but joyful victory of Hellenic league (Athens, Sparta, & other poleis) over Persian, some important changes & developments:- politics: Greek poleis remain independent, self-governingcommunities (NOT "slaves" of foreign monarch)- "freedom" rallying cry for Greeks = freedom to govern own polis & follow own laws

Justice in Oresteia

In each play of Oresteia, killing presented as act of Justice (Trojan War, murder of Ag., murder of Clyt.)-Movement from Revenge / private killings to public trials- impartial judgments, logical decision- Creation of Eumenides Ends cycle of violence- women/family/Furies no longer responsible for Dike,instead becomes role of men/citizens/court (& Zeus) Ending

Class Conflict in Wasps 5

In trying to "class up" Procleon, Contracleon asks father to:a) remove humble, traditional tunic for expensive,stylish Persian coatb) talk about athletic contestsc) use wit to make friends, resolve conflicts- All these are signs of aristocracy, who have access to worldoutside Athens & can afford education & athletics (=mostly rich men's occupation, as it required leisure time& $$ for training/travel)

Trial of Orestes & Areopagus

Location of Trial = Areopagus ("Hill of Ares"), site of mythological & historical significance-Myth: Theseus defeated Amazons (female warriors who worshipped Ares), as Amazons sought return of Amazon woman abducted (?) and married by Theseus-History: Areopagus = ancient site of criminal trials, esp. murder trials (as established by Draco = early Athenianlawmaker, known for harsh / violent rules = Draconian- recently (~462 BCE, 4 years before Oresteia),Areopagus council (= council of aristocrats), strippedof many powers (given to people democracy), EXCEPT murder trials (still under Areopagus)

Lysias' Against Eratosthenes 5

Lysias' speech = most famous for its shocking details:- refusing Polemarchus honorable burial- snatching earring out of Polemarchus' wife's ears- Case against amnesty - no punishment could be severe enough forTyrants' cruelty- conviction = way of honoring Athenian dead(L's brother AND Athenian citizens who suffered)- deterrence 30 Tyrants only felt comfortabledoing this b/c they assumed no one could punishthem what's to stop this from happening again?

Lysistrata as Leader

Lysistrata = 1st (extant) instance of strong female protagonist in Comedy; Tragedies many strong females, but either violent (e.g., Clytemnestra) or self-sacrificing (e.g., Iphigenia)- Strong -> L. barely mentions her own husband (she is married), focus on her plan & her relationships with female allies vs. women who depend on kyriosLysistrata's name = "Dissolver of armies"-possible reference to current priestess of Athena Polias @ Erectheion Lysimache= "Dissolver of battles"? - Priestesses = one of few "strong women" in historical world who didn't depend (exclusively) on men

Lysistrata & Women

Lysistrata represents war as a threat to women as well as men:- women birth sons (who become warriors & might die)- young wives become widows and/or spinsters- old women can't get married as easily as old men- Lysistrata argues that women tried to warn men about war, BUT men wouldn't listen (& would use threats/shouts to shut women up, as well confine women to "women's work")

Lysistrata's Plan = Success? 2

Lysistrata's advice = many impt. observations about Athenian & Greek politics in Peloponnesian War:- Greek unity vs. Persians rather than return to former alliances (Hellenic League) vs. commonenemy (Persia), Greeks try to use alliancew/ Persia against enemy Greeks- stasis Lysistrata's plan = playful example of stasis(revolution, coup); BUT motivated by desireto help polis as a whole, NOT one political group - Need to banish dangerous citizens Athens had tradition of ostracizing leaders who abuse power,but banishment, then recall of Alcibiades showsprocess out of control- democracy & representation who should get voice?

Lysistrata vs. Magistrate (Proboulos)

Magistrate upset that women control the treasury (part of L's plot involves chorus occupying Acropolis)-Magistrate first tries force (& fails) - Lys: "did you think women can't show courage?"- Lys. has women dress Magistrate as woman humiliation & transformation of scene (male violence female logic)- Lys' argument = Household Management (Economics! = Managing Oikos)Magistrate: You (women) will keep (the money)?.Lysistrata: No, we'll save it.Magistrate: Save it?Lysistrata: What's so strange in that? Don't we manage the household money?Magistrate: Not the same...it's war!

Herm Statue

Marked Boundaries(Hermes = god ofMessengers/boundaries)- Apotropaic function

Lysistrata Plot

Meeting of Women (from across Greece), Lysistrata = Athenian & leader (summons women, forms plan)Lysistrata's plan to end Peloponnesian War: a) sexual embargo (no sex for husbands) b) occupation of Acropolis/citadel (including treasury) by old women- involves both private/home related tactics (a) and public/polis related tactics (b)- both parts of plan entail women taking control in surprising ways for Athenian cultureOutcome = success (?) Lysistrata gets Athenians & Spartans to agree to peace, but how much has she changed their minds

Melian Dialogue 3

Melos we put trust in gods & Spartans- Athens: good luck with that! As far as we can tellgods, Spartans, etc. all operate under same rule =the mighty take what they can from the weak- Melos ultimately refuses to give in, & Athenians slaughter & enslave them effect on morale?- i.e., the Athenians are making a practical decisionthat may benefit them now, BUT how does thisinfluence their reputation in Greek world? How doesthis fit with the praise of Athens & its love of beauty,freedom, etc. in Pericles' Funeral Oration?

Lysias' Against Eratosthenes 4

Metics = especially vulnerable to violence b/c they lack full citizenship rights "(Thirty Tyrants) thought it of no account to kill men, but to take their money they considered of the utmost importance. Therefore they decided to arrest ten, and, of these, two poor men, in order that they might have a defense, in respect to the others, that these things were not done for the sake of money, but in the interest of the state, as if doing something reasonably"- Lysias makes the argument that his family "although as metics we had conducted ourselves better than those who are citizens."

Metics

Metics = resident aliens in Athens- Intermediate status metics were NOT citizens, and so couldn't: a) vote in assembly b) hold political office c) serve in jury- Also, metics couldn't own land in Attica (rented from citizens urban workers), & couldn't bring "public" lawsuits (i.e., charges that a citizen was harming the polis, the kind a sycophant might make)-BUT other privileges/burdens: a) taxes & liturgies b) military service (including sailors' pay) c) (restricted) access to courts (usually w/ citizen "protector"/guarantor)

Miasma in Oresteia

Miasma = pollution, blood-guilt that defiles murderer who has slain victim unjustly (esp. if victim is family member, is on altar, etc.)2 dimensions:1) Religious: blood = defilement, abomination to gods; Furies = underworld goddesses who punish those stained w/ miasma2) Social: murder = social disruption, murderers = threats to society; "pollution" = tool for excluding/banishing threats to order (cf. "cooties"), restoring harmony to communityBoth Dimensions in Oresteia:1)What is "holy" about human violence? Purification?2)How can human society exist w/ all these revenge murders? Restoration of order?

Cleon & Mytilene Example

Mytilene = polis on island of Lesbos, allied w/ Athens, that revolted from Athens during Peloponnesian War- Athens besieges& defeats, then decides punishment Cleon votes to kill entire male population, enslavewomen & children (more moderate Athenianswant to focus on leaders of revolt, not everyone)Cleon's advice to Athenians: a) "...giving way to your own compassion (is) full of danger for yourselves, and brings you no thanks for your weakness for your allies"b) "ordinary men usually manage public affairs better than their more gifted fellows ... (who) always wanting to appear wiser than the laws...ruin their country." - i.e., listen to "ordinary" folk & KILL THOSE TRAITORS

Oikos & Athens

Oikos = household, including family, property, slaves, etc.- Greeks wanted to improve/enhance oikos, leavelegacy for descendants, etc.- Greek family & friends = philoi ("dear ones") = people with whom you share bond (genetic, history, etc.) and to whom you owe loyalty in actionFor 5th-century Athenians (and most Greeks) tension:- On one hand, in-born, age-old desire to help oikos /philoi- On other, polis makes demands that interfere (e.g., war)- Generally, in Athens oikos & polis work together fathers sire sons, who grew up to represent oikos & tribe in public matters

Summary of Oresteia (Libation Bearers & Furies)

Oresteia = 3 plays (trilogy) Agamemnon (last lecture), LibationBearers, & Furies (today)LibationBearers: Setting = Argos (Ag's kingdom, now ruled by Clytemnestra & husband), ~7 years after Agamemnon; Orestes (=Ag's & Clyt's son) returns to Argos, reunites with sister Electra; Orestes (under orders by Apollo) vows revenge, tricks Clyt. (disguise) & kills her, but haunted by FuriesFuries: Setting = Delphi (1st), then Athens, soon after Orestes kills Clyt.; Apollo vows to protect Orestes, who is being chased by chorus of Furies (=underworld demons who punish kin-slayers); Apollo sends Orestes to Athens, for trial under Athena; Athena appoints human jury, hears case @ Areopagus hill; Furies prosecute, Apollo defends; Orestes wins, Athena convinces Furies to end anger, stay in Athens as protectors

Showdown Between Orestes & Clytemnestra:

Orestes charges Clyt. w/ infidelity, choosing lover (Aegisthus) over husband whose "labor provides the home you sit in."- Clyt. responds that it's hard being away from husbandBUT doesn't mention Iphigenia (??)- Clyt. & motherhood Clyt. tries to appeal to Orestes as son (even bares her breast, causing O. to hesitate) friend Pylades says to O. "Remember Apollo!"- irony Clyt.'s nightmare (nursing a snake)comes true; motherhood (here) = death- Battle of the sexes O's victory framed as triumph of male: cheating wife punished, political rule belongs to man,Orestes, killing mom, enters "manhood" (i.e., grows up,takes control, resists mother, etc.)

Violence & Purification

Orestes thinks violence = just solution for problems of house, but really just continues cycles of killing:"I killed my mother with Justice at my side.She was a defiled murder (miasma), the gods hated her.....I must run from the blood that I shed, run from my own blood,No hearth will shelter me, only Delphi, it is Apollo's will."Orestes in LB 1025-1039Cf. Clytemnestra's justification for killing Ag. in Agamemnon sooner or later, killer gets killed- In Libation Bearers, Orestes' "victory speech" interrupted bysight of Furies = underworld demons who punish thosedefiled by miasma (pollution)

Ending of Oresteia

Orestes' departure = pretty much a footnote, real triumph = victory of Athena/courts over Furies (now Eumenides)Significance of this victory?- Justice & law over vengeance/private vendettas- Public (polis) over private (oikos)- Male over female- Order (Zeus) over disorder (Furies/primal gods)Problems:- How could new system prevent previous crimes (e.g., Trojan War, Iph's sacrifice, etc.)?- To what extent does persuasion really triumph over force?

Comedy and Parrhesia

Parrhesia = "free speech", a central value for Athenian Democracy and Old Comedy (=Aristophanes)a) Sexual/vulgar humor: Old Comedy abounds in references to genitalia, sexual behavior (regular and deviant), bodily functions, etc.-Sexual humor (not only generates laughs, but also establishes release of tension & communal laughter- Sex also in political humor (average Athenians "being screwed"by bad politicians, etc.)

Comedy and Parrhesia 2

Parrhesia = "free speech", a central value for Athenian Democracy and Old Comedy (=Aristophanes)b) MORE impt. than sex is political nature of parrhesia- i.e., Aristophanes can mock specific politicians, artists, etc. w/o fear of punishment/harm- cf. Cleon's failed attempt to sue Aristophanes for libel- in Athenian democracy, everyone held accountable for actions (e.g., magistrates scrutinized before AND after their terms; ostracizing)- law-courts = public venue for grievances, opportunity for ALL citizens to defend rights/address wrongs

Features of Athenian Marriage

Patriarchy: (Almost) always, women under control of kyrios(male guardian), usually father or husband, who lived with her, defended her, represented her in court, etc. (women could not be citizens no voting, political office, etc.) - Betrothal: formal contract; girl's kyrios pledged her to future groom in front of witnesses; terms (esp. dowry) established- Dowry: money and/or land accompanying bride; husband controlled for duration of marriage (but lost under divorce)- Differences: age (men ~30, women ~15-16); social groups (men associated w/ men, women w/ women); education (men given rhetorical / advanced ed, women weren't, etc.); Places men = public, women = private/oikos

Background: Women & Marriage in Athens/Greece

Patriarchy: (Almost) always, women under control of kyrios(male guardian), usually father or husband, who lived with her, defended her, represented her in court, etc. (women could not be citizens no voting, political office, etc.)- Differences between husbands & wives: - age (men married ~30, women ~15-16) - social groups (men associated w/ men, women w/ women) - education (men given rhetorical / advanced ed, women weren't, etc.); - Places men = public/outside, women = private/inside the home (oikos)- men had access to mistresses/concubines, sex for wives limited to producing legitimate children

Background: Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE)

Peloponnesian War = War between two leading Greek poleis, Athens and Sparta, & their allies at end of 5th Century BCE- 5th Century Greece has two wars as bookends:a) Persian War (480-479 BCE) = allied Greek triumph,glory/pride, esp. in Athens = leader of Greekresistance after warb) Peloponnesian War (431-404) = breakdown offormer alliance (Athens & Sparta), Sparta leadsanti-Athenian resistance empire Athens loses,end of "glory days" - Peloponnesian War raises many questions/doubts aboutcultural & political beliefs that Athenians/Greeks tookpride in (e.g., democracy, freedom, polis-centered

Background for Aristophanes' Wasps

Performed in 422 BCE; won 2nd prize-Performed during Peloponnesian War (Athens vs. Sparta), but during temporary peace (not many references to Sparta, but many to Athens & Empire)- Recently (425 BCE), Cleon raised jury pay from2 obols to 3 obols per day- Cleon = popular politician, known for being a demagogue(=leader who uses anger & prejudices of common people, NOT logic/ reason, to gain power & control)- Cf. Thucydides (historian): "He was remarkable among the Athenians for the violence of his character, and at this time he exercised far the greatest influence over the people."

End of Pericles

Pericles = popular Athenian strategos & architect of Athenian war strategy (Athens & walled port = island, bring citizens into fortifications, let Sparta wreck farmlands)- Problems w/ this strategy: a) many farmers & residents from rural areas angry that Sparta destroying homes/farms, and demand Athenians fight Sparta on land (Pericles refuses)b) b/c of crowding in city, health conditions become bad plague deaths & breakdown of social order(no homes/rest areas for sick, corpses pile up in streets, lawlessness grows, etc.)- Athenians blame Pericles, some even suggesting surrendering to Sparta Pericles' final speech

Pericles

Pericles = prominent Athenian politician during middle of 5thcentury BCE- Pericles= main architect of Athenian Empire & strategy in Pelop. WAr- Pericles = strategos (general) = war leader, only position in Athenian democracy that was directly elected & allowed re-election (all others, e.g., archon, Boule member = by lot, restrictions for time between terms)- Many other Athenian strategoi were prominent in 5th century e.g., Themistocles, Cimon, & Ephialtes- BUT while those leaders suffered ostracism and/ordeath that ended their influence, Pericles was prominent for over 30 years (~461-429 BCE) & died of natural causes (plague) while still in power

Judging

Potential judges screened by council, then names selected by lot publicly on 1st day of performances- goal = prevent bribery (enthusiastic choregoi would spend even more $$$ to win!) - selection of judges similar to selection of appointed officials (e.g., archons, boule members, jurors, etc.) a) screening & list of eligible names b) names drawn by lot- side-note: we have records for many plays on where they placed (e.g., Aeschlylus' Oresteia came in 1stPlace in 458 BCE, Sophocles' Oedipus Rex 2nd place in 429 BCE)

Cleon in Wasps 3

Procleon & High Society after cheese trial, Contracleon tries to make Procleon more classy/sophisticated so he can socialize with ruling-class Athenians (including Cleon)- Procleon = low-class, which is why he loves Cleon (who mocks elitist intellectuals who make fancy speeches & show compassion to non-Athenians)- BUT despite Cleon's populist rhetoric, Cleon enjoys high society (fancy food, drinking parties, witty anecdotes) Contracleon warns Procleon if he tells a vulgar jokes, Cleon will "ruin you, destroy your property, & have you kicked out of Attica (=Athens)."- Procleon's response absolute power corrupts(i.e., Cleon = tyrant; cf. earlier criticism of Contracleon on same charge

Procleon & Athens

Procleon & chorus believe that they (old, poorer citizens) = backbone of Athens & Athenian democracy- e.g., chorus & Procleon frequently reference battlesthey fought in (Naxos, Byzantium, etc.) - also accuse Contracleon of being a tyrant living in luxury, denying "the truth" (=navy, poor rowers = strength of Athens)- Many of the battles referenced, however, were NOT vs. Persia (almost 60 years earlier), but against Greeks leaving Delian League Athens & Empire

Procleon & Pay

Procleon & chorus take pride in earning $$ for themselves, not relying on others (like son Contracleon):"What about my pay, eh? That's the best thing of all. When I get home with my money, they can't get enough of me.... And I don't have to rely on you and that damned slave of yours to feed me either, miserable bastard" Procleon- BUT rely on archon to call court (no trial = no pay)"Boy" supporting old chorus: "But father, how will we buy lunch? For I've had a horrible thought: what if the Archon decides today not to convene the civil court? What will we do if you don't get paid...?

Plot of Wasps Part 2

Procleon (= older father, jury-duty & Cleon lover), though defeated by son Contracleon, still loves trials; So Contracleon has Procleon act as juror for "Cheese-stealing dog case" (=parody of Athenian trials); Procleon tricked into giving "not guilty" verdict over dog; Contracleon wants to make Procleon more classy & sophisticated so he (Procleon) can hob-nob with Cleon & other elite Athenians, but Procleon = vulgar & offensive

Plot of Wasps Part 1

Procleon = older juror, living in house of son = Contracleon; Contracleon is tired of Procleon's obsession w/ jury duty, orders slaves to lock him in, stop him from attending jury duty; chorus = "Wasps" = old men who love jury duty, come to "rescue" Procleon; Contracleon (fed up) demands a debate to settle once and for all who is right: Procleon (jury duty = awesome) vs. Contracleon (jury duty = slavery); Procleon makes his case ($$, power, putting rich people in their place); Contracleon makes his case (not much $$, rich politicians = demagogues exploiting jurors, Athens = rich & powerful, can afford to treat jurors better); Contracleon wins

Class Conflict in Wasps 6

Procleon, conversely, takes pride in Athens & accomplishments of lower-class (esp. military)- references to Marathon, Salamis, etc. in Persian War(when Persia = prime enemy of Athens; vs. now,when Sparta & other Greeks = enemies)- cf. chorus' remark: "we never paid honors to a cleverspeech, we rewarded the man with the bestoar-reach."- similar sentiment to Cleon, BUT chorus =real deal, not posing to pursue ambition- Contracleon's failure to "convert" Procleon mixed message: a) Procleon = cranky, vulgar, easily manipulated b) BUT also courageous, plucky, & genuine (vs."refined" Athenians who lounge, don't fight)

The Trial of the Cheese-Stealing Dog (3)

Prosecutor = dog Cleonhound (=parody of Athenian demagogue Cleon, which sounds like kuon "dog")Charge = accuses Labes of harming the "state" (house, =public charge), but seems to have personal motives, too- In Athenian court system, allCharges/accusations made by Individuals (no professional lawyers)BUT two types of charges a) private = defendant accused of hurting accuser personally (e.g., assault, robbery)b) public = defendant accused of hurting polis (e.g., corruption, treason)

Agamemnon's Choice

Shame culture: Agamemnon worried about being labeled a "ship deserter" a label that would destroy his credibility and reputation as hero & ruler-Community vs. oikos: Agamemnon chooses to save (starving) male soldiers ("flower of Greek manhood") vs.his daughter ("glory of my house" = oikos)- Chorus is confused & torn by the choice call his action "impious course, impure, unholy, unsanctified" BUT also under "yoke of Necessity"; when Ag. comes onstage, they say that at 1st they thought he "lost his senses" (going to war? sacrificing daughter?), but NOW "well done!" (Greeks won)- NB: Clytemnestra is NOT torn/confused, she is FURIOUS & demands justice

Classical Age (480 - 323 BCE) (2)

Social class: Greeks (esp. in Athens) saved by regularcitizens (hoplites, rowers on naval ships), NOT aristocrats & elites-Art/Culture: Greeks (esp. in Athens) take pride in artisticachievement tragedy, comedy, history, oratory, Greeks & alliances in face of Persian invasion, some Greek poleis (Sparta & Athens, others) joined forces =Hellenic League- What happens to alliances now that common enemy = gone?

Classical Age (480 - 323 BCE) (3)

Sparta = infantry-based power; commander, Pausanias (cf. Herodotus & Battle of Plataea) becomes disgraced (acts Persian = Medizing after war?) Sparta defers command of Greeks to Athenians- Athens = naval-based power more equipped to handle operations in East (Ionia, etc.), continued defense against Persia Delian League

Alcibiades (For Invasion)

Spartan navy impotent - allied natives in Sicily Sicilians weak, unstable - Preemptive strikes better than waiting for attack - "Youthful folly" = success; risks necessary to maintain empire

Post-Peloponnesian War

Spartan victory over Athens many consequences for Athenian govt & culture, as well as rest of Greek world (Sparta = leading polis w/ Athens' defeat)- Sparta & Greek leadership Problems! - former Spartan allies (e.g., Corinth, Thebes) declare waron Sparta; Athens (!) joins anti-Spartans (395 BCE) - Persia becomes even more involved in Greek politics- pay Greek mercenaries to fight in Persian Wars- ally with Sparta to control governments of Greekpoleis that threaten Sparta (e.g., Thebes) - more stasis ("revolution" tired of Spartan meddling,several poleis (e.g., Corinth, Thebes) gain democraticmovements, attack oligarchs- oligarchs vs. demos = constant tension

End of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) 6

Spartans win, decide fate of polis of Athens :- many Spartan allies (e.g., Corinth) wanted Sparta to treat Athens like Athens treated Melos (death, slavery)- BUT Spartan response: "they would never reduce to slavery a city which was itself an integral portion of Hellas, and had performed a great and noble service to Hellas in the most perilous of emergencies. On the contrary, they were willing to offer peace on the terms now specified" Xenophon HellenicaTerms = a) fortifications of Athenian city & port destroyedb) Athenian fleet (mostly) dismantledc) exiles (Athenian elite exiled by demos) restoredd) Sparta = leader of Greek alliance, Athens must follow Sparta's lead in alliances & wars

Melian Dialogue

Stasis, for Thucydides, is part of larger problem reduction of complex problems (justice, loyalty, etc.) into questions of self-interest (how does this help me?)- Melian Dialogue = only dialogue scene in Thucydides history (vs. longer speeches)- Background Melos = island polis, neutral in war; Athens wants them to join- Instead of discussing Matters before Melian demos,Melians talk to AtheniansIn front of "the few"(oligarchs)

"Carpet Scene" (Before Ag. enters house)

Tension: Clytemnestra asks Agamemnon to walk on red tapestry - "this is the foot that stamped out Troy!"vs. Agamemnon: "Give me the honors due to a man, not a god"Meaning? Obscure, but some themes/conflict- Battle of wills: Clytemnestra wins, Agamemnon yields- Foreign opulence: "Priam would have walked on it!"-Envy & Ruin-Will of Gods: Ag. fears divine rage/spite, but Clytemnestraseems more focused on human crimes ("would you have promised this to the gods in a moment of terror?")

Lysias' Against Eratosthenes 2

The speech = longest of Lysias' published speeches, but We don't know if it was ever delivered & if it had impact- as metic, could Lysias deliver this speech & prosecute this kind of case in court?- Speech written AFTER amnesty declared many people still angry at 30 Tyrants & oligarchs, & demand punishment(unclear whether Eratosthenes, one of 30 Tyrants, ever received punishment)

Important Events/Factors Before War

Themistocles fortifies Piraeus (port) & City Walls in Athens (479/8) & Long Walls connecting built (450s BCE) Athens = naval power, relies on ships/imports

Critias vs. Theramenes in Xenophon's Hellenica 3

Theramenes' response:a) Circumstances change; Th. tried to act as best he couldin any situation (democracy vs. oligarchy)b) Moderate oligarchy extreme democracy is bad, but so is extreme oligarchy (=elites killing poor); Th. wants Solon-era Athens (rich have more power thanpoor, but act to promote the polis, not themselves)Result: People applaud Theramenes, Critias fears Th. Willwin vote of Boule (acquit Th.)- Critias strikes Th. off official list (thus rendering trial null & void); sentences Th. to death (even pulls Th. off of altar), Th. drinks poison hemlock (as Socrates would later do)

Class Conflict in Wasps 4

Though Procleon & Contracleon from same family, represent different economic & cultural groups in Athens:- Contracleon = upper-class, aristocratic, refined- Procleon = lower-class, hard-working, patriotic-Cf. chorus' song (=wasps):"Our economy is resourceful, too; we (=old, poor citizens) sting everybody to make a living! It's true, like all wasps colonies, we too have our drones. Some of them are sitting out there now. They don't have a sting, they just lounge at home eating their way though our hard-won tribute without working for it."

Cleon in Wasps

Though Xanthias (slave) introduces play by saying "certainly...not going to have another go at the most beloved of political figures, Cleon" (sarcasm), most of the play mocks Cleon, A LOT- earlier, Cleon had prosecuted Aristophanes on publiccharge for mocking Cleon (i.e., by mocking Cleon,Aristophanes was hurting Athens) Cleon lost- A. then made fun of Cleon in MANY plays

Athena's Decision

Though human jury present, tie vote means Athena casts deciding ballot = Orestes is innocent! - Athena confirms Apollo's view "I was born of no mother, and I defer to the male"- Birth of courtroom-Trial of Orestes = First (mythical) murder trial&explanation for Murder Trials on Areopagus in AthensFear & Justice "Citizens, embrace the middle way, but never banish fear, for the mortal who has no fear can never know justice. You must respect this court & fear it."- What should citizens fear? not Furies, but institution of court judgment of peers? Punishment from that judgment?

Lysistrata's Leadership

Though many of female characters in play represent negative stereotypes of women (e.g., drunks, lazy, obsessed with sex, etc.), Lysistrata = strong character showing genuine interest in community (vs. just herself)- irony: while character of Lysistrata = radical & new,L's values = conservative & traditional (Greek political harmony, restoration of oikos - currently being torn by war)-1st major conflict = L. vs. "Magistrate"- Unnamed Magistrate = proboulos "lead councilor" temporary position created by Athens after Sicilian disaster- power to override people (thus in many waysanti-democratic)

Thucydides

Thucydides = Athenian historian, who lived during Peloponnesian War & served as strategos (general)- exiled for losing battle, which gave him time & opportunity to research & talk to non-Athenian sources - Though a historian like Herodotus, Thucydides takes more more clinical & analytical approach to history a) hard facts/evidence over "some people say" oraltradition ("People are inclined to accept all stories of ancient times in an uncritical way") b) accuracy & nuance over wonders/entertainment lacks "romantic element" of Herodotusc) political philosophy & pragmatic human behaviorover gods/fate/cosmic justice, etc.d) Speeches - did people talk like that?

Thucydides "Eulogy" of Pericles

Thucydides notes that Athenians listened to Pericles and did NOT surrender to Sparta THEN moves onto Pericles' death (plague) & comments on his leadership- clearly, Thucydides sees Pericles as strong, principledleader who (if he had survived) could have led Athensto victory, BUT after his death Athens strayedPericles' leadership & democracy while Thucydides commends Pericles for "respect(ing) the liberty of the people and at the same time hold(ing) them in check.""So, in what was nominally a democracy, power was really in the hands of the first citizen." Basically, Athenians re-elected a popular autocrat who led them & could rule them

Stasis in the Greek World 3

Thucydides on stasis & political parties: "These parties were not formed to enjoy the benefits of the established laws, but to acquire power by overthrowing the existing regime; and the members of these parties felt confidence in each other not because of any fellowship in a religious communion, but because they were partners in crime. If an opponent made a reasonable speech, the party in power, so far from giving it a generous reception, took every precaution to see that it had no practical effect ...In struggles for ascendancy nothing was barred; terrible indeed were the actions to they committed...they were deterred neither by the claims of justice nor by the interests of the state; their one standard was the pleasure of their own party at that particular moment..."

Thucydides "Eulogy" of Pericles 2

Tightrope balance Pericles never violated law or constitution, but through persuasion could keep Athens united & in-line with his policyAfter Pericles Thucydides criticizes Athenian leaders after Pericles for being unable to do the same thing, resulting in foolish and/or dangerous decisions:a) expanding (rather than maintaining) empire Pericles warned against this, but Athens tried to add more territory (Melos, Sicilian Expedition)b) internal conflict no longer united by Pericles,Athens became divided into factions & fought with each other over policy

Social and Historical Context of Tragedy:

Tragedy = Athenian genre, all famous & surviving tragedies written by Athenians - "3 Great Tragedians" = Aeschylus, Sophocles, & Euripides- Tragedies performed between 472 BCE (after victory over Persians) & 404 BCE, between two major wars:A) Persian War (480-479 BCE): Greeks, led by Athens & Sparta, defeat invasion of Persian EmpireB) Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE): AthenianEmpire vs. Spartans & allies; Sparta wins, Athens loses Empire

Trojan War

Trojan war = backdrop for action in Oresteia- While Homer (Iliad & Odyssey) presents characters & events from Trojan War, he never really questioned the reasoning behind the war itself (except for maybe Achilles)- Later writers/thinkers note that it was implausible (all this trouble for one woman???), but Aeschylus takes another angle: what is the moral significance for a community undertaking such an action (war) for such reasons (recovering woman / honor of a single hero, Menelaus)

Stasis in the Greek World 2

Two examples of stasis:a) Mytilene & Cleon Mytilene = Athenian ally (Delian League), but certain oligarchs planned revolt, colluding w/ Spartans & Peloponnesians- in anger, Cleon & many Athenians argue that ALLMytileneans should be killed; others argue only the oligarchs who planned revolt b) Corcyra democratic faction takes over polis; learning Athenians coming to bolster them, the democrats begin killing all oligarchs & pro-Spartans "death in every shape & form" according to Thucydides (e.g., fathers killing sons, murders in temples & on altars, etc.)

Athenian Acropolis

Under Pericles (=leading Athenian strategos (general) during build-up & beginning of Peloponnesian War), $$ from League Treasury used for elaborate constructions on Athenian Acropolis (=highest point of Athens, destroyed in Persian War)a) Parthenon Temple to Athena Parthenos ("virgin"),including massive gold/ivory statueb) Temple of Athena Nike ("victory")c) Erechtheion Temple to Athena/Poseidon, named after Erectheus (mythical king of Athens, supposedly born from earth); home of sacredolive tree (=Athena's gift) & salt spring (Poseidon's gift)

The Furies = Chorus of Furies

Underworld/chthonic goddesses, gorgon-like in appearance"They are the wizened ancient children, repugnantTo the gods and untouched by man or beast. The progeny of evil wallowing in miserySpewed from their infernal abyss, the bowels of hell.Abhorred by men on earth & despised by the Olympian gods."Apollo in Furies 69-73 (trans. Meineck)

Democracy & Athens in 5th Century

Unlike Sparta (mixed constitution), Athens = true democracy BUT several different positions & governing bodiesEkklesia: Assembly voted on impt. Matters (war vs. peace, ostracism); members= all free citizensBoule - Council of 500; prepared agenda for ekklesia, managed $$ & foreign affairs; 50 members per tribe; serve one year; chosen by lot annuallyArchons: Chief Administrators; 9 total; one-year term appointed by lot; once per lifetimeStrategoi: Generals; 10 total (1 per tribe); one-year term; elected (and possibly re-elected) only majorposition w/ direct elections and re-election opportunities (Themistocles, Cimon, etc.)

Juries & Trials in Action (5th Century BCE Athens)

Unlike modern courts, Athenian courts NOT professional- Archon = judge, BUT not "legal expert", more referee who oversaw time limits for speakers, voting process of jurors, & asssigned cases to particular courts- Prosecutors & defendants = NOT lawyers; citizens represented themselves; prosecutors could bring private case on own behalf OR public case on state's behalf- Jurors = large group (often 200-500 per trial); majority vote (pebbles in guilty / not guilty jars); sentencing on wax tablets

Role of Furies in Greek Religion

Vengeance / Punishment for:- broken oaths- failure to honor dead- miasma (pollution) tied to murder, - esp. murder of kin / relation by blood (not spouses)- "Old School" figures -In Furies, they despite Apollo & "new gods":"These new gods, this is how they behave,Their power exceeds the bounds of justice." - Represent "old school" justice: those wronged can invoke Furies, who then plague / torment the offender- private justice, tied to family / religion ratherthan polis & courts

Delian League & Athenian Leaders (2)

W/in 20 years after end of Persian War (479 BCE), Athenshad great success (Delian League, leaders of Greeks), BUT still dealing with nature & consequences ofdemocracy in the polis- Some issues:- leadership: what role did leading statesmen play & to what extent should Athenians keep them in check?- citizens: who are driving force of Athenian democracy? (middle class) hoplites? (poorer) rowers on naval ships? (upper class) members of Areopagus?- foreign policy: was it still Greeks vs. Persians? Or (democratic) Athens vs. (non-democratic) Greeks (e.g., Sparta)? What is Athens going to do with all

Athenians on Empire

When Corinthians accuse Athenians of building an empire, Athenians don't deny it, BUT argue that it is reasonable for them to hold such an empire:a) security Spartans & Greeks let them lead afterPersian War; if Athens gave up leadership now,they would be at riskb) honor Athenians upholding their reputation as saviors of Greece & cultural pride in their historyc) self-interest ok, so Athens is making some $$off of their allies/subjects, what of it? Doesn'tSparta do the same thing in Peloponnesus?

Archidamian War & Pericles' Response

When Sparta issues ultimatum, Pericles (Athenian strategos)Refuses to give in, even though he knows what Sparta will do (invade, destroy crops, etc.)- Pericles & Athenian war strategy: a) Sparta = awesome at short, defensive wars @ home, but bad at long wars abroad b) Spartans & allies = disorganized, quarrelsome (vs.centralized Athenian empire) c) Athens = way better at naval warfare (Spartans won't/can't learn fast enough) d) Athens = island i.e., w/ fortified walls & port, theycan outlast Spartan invasion- cf. Athenian destruction in Persian War

Context of Athenian Tragedy

When: City Dionysia Festival ("Great Dionysia") - March/April, 5-day contest, 3 tragedians have 1 day each to perform 3 tragedies (& satyr play)- Festival created by Pisistratid tyrants (kept onin Democracy)- Tragedies, like comedies = plays, performedin same theater & during (mostly) same festivals,BUT tragedies = more prestigious2) Where: Theater of Dionysus (Athens) Dionysus = Greek god of madness, wine, & tragedy3) Who: Choregos ($), Actors, Audience, judges

Role of Clytemnestra (Pre-Murder)

While Ag. is gone, Clytemnestra rules ArgosClytemnestra criticized BOTH for being too manly:- Watchman: "I take my orders from a woman... / She's a woman all right, a woman with a man's heart." AND too womanlyChorus: "Trust a woman to praise a sign / before the truth is clear. / Persuasion is all too quick / to cross a woman's mind. / Women's gossip flies fast and quickly dies." Ag. 483-487

Critias vs. Theramenes in Xenophon's Hellenica

Xenophon = Greek historian (& soldier), writes about post-War Greek history in Hellenica (follows Thucydides)Critias (extreme) & Theramenes (moderate) = members of 30 TyrantsTension: 30 Tyrants start acquiring power & money by targeting "threats" (i.e., democratic rivals), then targeting everyone esp. wealthy metics (=resident aliens, non-citizen foreigners living in Athens) Tyrants prosecute on (bogus) charge, execute, then seize $$ and assets (cf. Lysias)- Theramenes refuses, saying that Tyrants = actinglike sycophants (except sycophants let their victims live)

Lysistrata's Plan = Success?

Yes: War is over, everyone parties, Lysistrata's sexual embargo gets men to do what she wants-No: Men ignore every. single. Argument Lysistrata makes; status quo -> men have power, men want sex, women don't get political voice-Caveat: Lysistrata = play written by man, performed by male actors (women = men in costumes), for audience of men and women (still patriarchy) -> provocative play, but not TOO provocative

Lysistrata's Political Advice to Athenians & Spartans

a) value: "I'm female, yes, but still I've got a brain. I'm not so badly off for judgment, either. My father and some other elders, too, have given me a first-rate education. b) Reason: In no uncertain terms I must reproach you, both sides, and rightly. Don't you share a cup at common altars, for common goods, like brothers, at the Olympic games, Thermopylae, and Delphi? ...The world is full of foreigners (barbaroi) you could fight, but it's Greek men and cities you destroy!"- BUT Athenian and Spartan ambassadors NOT persuaded by speech/reason; instead, lust after Reconciliation figuratively = "peace", but literally represented by naked woman

Paid Juries in 5th Cent. BCE

ericles was also the first to institute pay for service in the law-courts, as a bid for popular favour to counterbalance the wealth of Cimon.... as (Pericles) was beaten in the matter of private possessions, he should make gifts to the people from their own property; and accordingly he instituted pay for the members of the juries. Some critics accuse him of thereby causing a deterioration in the character of the juries, since it was always the common people who put themselves forward for selection as jurors, rather than the men of better position." Constitution of Athens 27