Classical Greek Culture - Note Sheet 3

Which philosopher was interested in analyzing and classifying things based on observation and investigation?

Aristotle

In what ways did classical Greek culture reflect a search for perfection? (Give one specific example)

Artists portrayed ideal human forms, playwrights highlighted the attempt to be the best is a worthy endeavor even if not successful, philosophers sought insights into truth and reality, philosophers attempted to perfect forms of government.

What was the most important thing for the Sophists?

For individuals to improve themselves through rhetoric (persuasive speaking)

How was Euripides different than other Athenian/Greek dramatists?

He attempted to create realistic characters in real-life situations - He was controversial and questioned traditions, and portrayed war as barbaric.

Why didn't Socrates accept any pay even though he taught many pupils?

He believed that the goal of education was only to improve the individual

Who could be called the "father of history" because his work is often seen as the first real history in Western civilization? What conflict did he write about?

Herodotus / The conflict between the Greeks and the Persians

The most important form of architecture was the temple. What was the center room of Greek Temples used for?

Housed statues of the gods and the treasuries of the gifts to gods and goddesses were safeguarded.

In Classical Greece, art attempted to express eternal ideals. What was the subject matter of Greek art and how was it presented?

Human being - presented as an object of great beauty

Classical Greek sculptors did not seek to achieve realism, but rather a standard of _____________ ______________.

Ideal beauty

What does the Greek root of the word "philosophy" mean?

Love of wisdom

According to Aristotle, what are the 3 good forms of government? Which did he favor as the best form for most people?

Monarchy, aristocracy, and constitutional government - Constitutional government which can be democracy

Which philosopher was obsessed with reality and questioned, 'how do we know what is real?'

Plato

Who is considered by many the greatest philosopher of Western Civilization?

Plato

Who said, "the unexamined life is not worth living"?

Socrates

What teaching style uses a question-and-answer format to lead students to see things for themselves through their own reasoning skills?

The Socratic Method

Which historian saw war and politics as caused by the activities of human beings rather than gods?

Thucydides

What was the purpose of Greek comedies?

To criticize politicians and intellectuals, meant to entertain and provoke a reaction

The first Greek dramas were _________, which were presented in a ___________.

Tragedies / Trilogy

Which type of government system did Plato distrust?

democracy