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.