Ancient Greek Culture

"Focus on man"

"To the Greeks the ability to think and reason made man unique. ("Wonders are many on earth, and the greatest of these is man.")

Eratosthenes' achievements

1) He determined the circumference of the globe with amazing accuracy by using the geometry that Euclid popularized. 2) He also formulated the lines of longitude and latitude that are still used today on maps. 3) The belief that the earth is round was established by the Greeks some seventeen centuries before Columbus.

Plato's achievements

1) He established a school of philosophy and science called the Academy, located in Athens. 2) In the Republic, he devised one of the first plans for an ideal society and government. 3) Although Plato lived in democratic Athens, he realized that too much liberty and freedom without restraint often leads to anarchy (the breakdown of government and order.) **He stated that the "excess of liberty, whether in states or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery."**

Aristotle's achievements

1) Like Plato, Aristotle has had a continuing impact on Western thought through his writings. 2) Aristotle was also the tutor of Alexander the Great, and he instilled in the young prince an appreciation for Greek culture.

4 Basic questions of life

1. Where did i come from? 2. Why am I here? 3. Where am I going? 4. What is the highest good in life?

Hellenistic

After Greek culture was spreading out, Hellenic culture mixed with the cultures of East. A new culture emerged; it was no longer just Hellenic, meaning "Greek," but Hellenistic, "like the Greek."

Significance of Alexander the Great's conquering

Although the Greek army never conquered the world, Greek culture did conquer a large portion of it. Alexander's conquests spread the Greek language and the way of life throughout much of the ancient world.

"Cradle of Western Culture"

Ancient Greece has been called the "cradle of Western culture".

Aristotle (Ca. 384-322 BC)

Aristotle was not an Athenian like the other two but came to Athens from northern Greece. He began his study at Plato's Academy. Plato called his most famous student "the mind of the school."

Pythagoras

Before the Golden Age, Pythagoras, a philosopher and mathematician.

Statue of Athena

During the days of Pericles, a forty-foot-high gold and ivory statue of Athena stood inside the temple. The building itself is rectangular in shape and is supported by towering columns in beautiful symmetry.

Myths

Early in their history, the Greeks developed many myths to help them answer these questions. Following the sixth century BC, however, many people lost confidence in these myths.

Epicurus

Epicurus believed that great happiness and pleasure could be achieved through the avoidance of pain and fear.

Thales's Theory

Explanation of the origin of the universe in natural terms: 1). Water was the original substance of all things. 2)He and other early philosophers did not deal with the questions of ethics ---- what is right and wrong.

The Classical Period

From these somewhat crude forms Greek sculpture gradually became more realistic. This change came about during the classical period, a period when Greeks sought to represent the ideal man.

Grecian urns

Grecian urns are among the most beautiful ever fashioned. On the exteriors of these graceful forms, the Greeks painted scenes of everyday life, battles, athletic competitions, and activities of their gods.

Greek Art

Greek art focused on the human form.

Greek sculptures

Greek sculpture falls into three main periods: Archaic, classical, and Hellenistic.

Greek Literature

Greeks literature dealt with how man lives and acts.

Archimedes' Theory

He discovered the principle of the lever, the practical value of which is illustrated today by the raising of a car with a jack. Proud of his discovery of the laws of levers, he once boasted, "Give me a spot to stand on a lever long enough, and I will move the earth."

Euclid's achievements

He founded a school of mathematics in Alexandria.

Pythagoras' achievement

He had concluded that the universe could be explained in mathematical terms.

Euclid

He has been called the Father of Geometry.

0rganon ("Instrument")

He is best remembered for his works on logic, which are collectively called Organon ("Instrument")

Hippocrates (Ca. 460-Ca. 377 BC)

He is the famed physician of the Golden Age, is know as the Father of Medicine.

Hippocrates' Theory

He taught that every illness has a natural cause. He rejected magic and superstition and instead recommended rest and proper diet as the proper treatments.

Archimedes

He was Greek inventor and mathematician, born in the Greek colony of Syracuse, was known throughout the Hellenistic world for his many discoveries.

Plato (Ca. 427-347 BC)

He was the most famous pupil of Socrates.

Hellenic

Hellenic is used to describe Greek culture.

Hellenistic Age

Hellenistic culture permeated the Near East from the time of Alexander until the coming of the Romans in the first century BC. Its influence was so great that this period is known as the Hellenistic Age.

Hellenistic Culture

Hellenistic culture united the peoples of the Near East by blending their arts, religions, philosophers, and customs.

Herodotus

Herodotus, the Father of History, wrote his history of the Persian Wars. Although Herodotus tried to present an accurate history, his work contains many myths and exaggerations and an obvious bias toward the Greeks.

Drama

Homer's epic poems are the monuments of early Greek literature. Later the Greeks excelled in poetic drama. The Greeks held contests to determine the best plays and actors.

Plato's famous theory

In his works, Plato discussed what he considered the nature of true reality. He determined that something would have to be permanent (eternal) if it were to be truly real. He concluded that true reality lies outside the physical world. The things on earth are mere shadows, r imperfect reflections, of their eternal counterparts, or "forms," in the unseen realm of eternity. (SIMILAR TO CHRISTIANITY)

The Hellenistic Period

In the Hellenistic period Greek sculpture lost its simple beauty. Its calm self-confidence was replaced by a frenzied emotional tone.

The Archaic Period

In the archaic period, Greek sculpture shows a strong Egyptian influence. Figures stand stiff and expressionless, their fists clenched by their sides.

Philosophers

Man called philosophers, "lovers of wisdom," tried to find the answers to these questions through man's reasoning ability.

Reason of Socrates' Death

Many in Athens objected to Socrates' questioning of some of the fundamental institutions of the city. They accused him of corrupting the youth and rejecting the gods of Athens. He died at the age of seventy in the midst of his followers.

Socrates' Theories

Socrates was a teacher. Socrates believed that truth (absolutes) could be attained through human reason. To Socrates virtue was knowledge, and ignorance produced evil. Thus, reason was the best guide to good behavior.

Socrates (Ca. 470-399 BC)

Socrates, a contemporary of Pericles, lived in Athens during its Golden Age. He devoted his life to seeking truth and teaching men how to conduct their lives. According to Socrates, "The unexamined life is not worth living."

Sophocles

Sophocles, a writer of comedy, was among the most famous of the Greek dramatists.

Athena

The Athenians dedicated the building to the city's patron goddess, Athena

Epicureans and Stoics

The Epicurean and Stoic philosophies emerged shortly after the death of Alexander the Great.

Thales of Miletus (Ca. 640 - 546)

The Father of Philosophy.

When did the Hellenic culture occur?

The Golden Age of Athens.

The Golden Age of Greek

The Golden Age of Greek culture was also the "golden" or "classical" age of Greek architecture.

Eratosthenes

The Greek astronomer and geographer.

Building Style

The Greek building style became a standard of excellence that later generations copied. Nothing better reflects the beauty of Greek architecture than the buildings of the Athenian Acropolis. (Ex: During the Persian Wars, Xerxes had destroyed Athens, but under Pericles new and more beautiful buildings were erected. Formerly a fortress for refuge, the Athenian Acropolis became the site of temples to the Greek gods. )

Hellas

The Greek land.

"Nothing in excess, and everything in proportion."

The Greek respect for such qualities as self-control, restraint, balance and moderation.

Greek's basic faith

The Greeks believed in the basic goodness of man. They trusted in man's wisdom as a guide for their behavior and as a means for finding happiness. The Greeks relied on man's reasoning ability in their search for wisdom.

Distinction of Ancient Greek Culture

The Greeks cultivated an appreciation for beauty, freedom, justice, truth and knowledge.

Optical illusions

The Greeks gave it the appearance of solidity and symmetry through the subtle use of optical illusions. The steps leading to the entrance are slightly curved at the center; this feature gives the eye the illusion of their being flat. (If they were truly flat, they would appear to dip.) The columns are placed closer together at the sides of the building than at the middle. This spacing gives the appearance of regularity. Likewise, the floor rises gently at the center, giving the whole the appearance of a swelling, living edifice.

Hellenes

The Greeks.

Significance of the Hellenistic Age

The Hellenistic Age brought the East and West TOGETHER in learning, in government, and in trade.

Parthenon

The Parthenon is a symbol of the cultural achievement of the Greek civilization. It is also a symbol of the spiritual blindness of the Greek people.

Humanities

The formal study of human thought and culture. (The Greeks were the first to study it.)

The goal of physical activity

The goal of physical activity was to develop the human body toward physical perfection.

Parthenon

The most spectacular of these temples is the Parthenon. We can get a glimpse of its former beauty and grandeur today, even in its ruined state.

Uses/Influence of Drama

The plays educated the Greek people in religious beliefs, moral behavior, and civic pride. Both tragedy and comedy were among the favorite forms of Greek drama.

Philosophy's influence to science, Medicine, and Mathematics

The questions raised by the Greek Philosophers concerning man and his world encouraged other to seek natural or logical explanations through observation.

Why did the Hellenic culture occur?

The spirit of independence and self-sufficiency, bolstered by the defeat of the Persians.

Significance of Philosophies

These philosophies had greater impact on the Rome world than on the Hellenistic world. (Ex: When the apostle Paul visited Athens in the first century AD, certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers mocked him because his preaching concerning the resurrection (Acts 17:18, 32) contradicted their teaching)

Philosophers' thought

They believed that the highest good was to seek truth and attain knowledge. This, they hoped, would enable men to live properly.

Humanism

They did not accept God's creation of man in His own image; therefore, they praised man for his ability rather than praising the God who gave man that ability. Similarly, they did not acknowledge their responsibility to their Creator. ***They believed that "man is the measure (judge) of all things." ***

Thucydides

Thucydides, a contemporary of Herodotus, wrote the History of the Peloponnesian War, a more accurate and objective record than Herodotus's work. He did not let his personal affections influence his account of the war.

Syllogism

To aid man's reasoning ability, Aristotle developed the syllogism, a three-step logical process of thinking.

The most highly prized art in Ancient Greece

Urns, sculpture and temples.

History

We get our word history from the Greek word meaning "inquiry." The Greeks believed that men could learn lessons from the past to help them live in the present.

Zeno (Founder of Stoicism)

Zeno, the founder of Stoicism, taught that the affairs of men and the universe ordered by fixed laws. Man must accept his fate and live a life of duty and self-control.