PAGES 115-119

SETTING THE SCENE

Philosopher translates “lovers of wisdom” Greek thinkers were called philosophers

Greeks had confidence in the power of the human mind

They were driven by curiosity and a belief in reason.

Greek thinkers, artist, and writers explored the nature of the universe and the place people held in it.

GREEK PHILOSOPHERS

Greek thinkers challenged the belief that events were caused by the whims of gods.

They used observation and reason to find causes instead.

Modern science traces its roots to the Greek search for such principles.

Some Greek philosophers were interested in ethics and morality.

They wanted to know things such as: The best type of government The standards that should rule human

behavior

SOCRATES

Athenian stonemason & philosopher He wrote no books Socratic method

He posed a series of questions to students Challenged them to examine the implications of their

answers Such questioning was a threat to accepted

Athenian traditions At the age of 70, he was put on trial for corrupting

the city’s youth & failing to respect the gods. He was found guilty & sentenced to death. Athenian law’s death penalty was death by poison. He drank a cup of hemlock for the death penalty

Poisonous herb found in the Mediterranean region

PLATO

After Socrates was sentenced to death, Plato no longer trusted democracy.

He left Athens for 10 years, but returned to set up a school called the Academy.

He emphasized the importance of reason. Author of The Republic, which described his idea of an

ideal state. He argued for a state that regulated every aspect of its

citizens’ lives in order to provide for their best interests. His ideal society was divided into three classes:

Workers- who were used to produce necessities to life Soldiers- used to defend the state Philosophers- to think and rule and would be highly trained to

ensure order and justice. Wisest ruler- Philosopher-king– would have ultimate authority

Talented women could be educated & serve the state Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is included in this book

ARISTOTLE

Was Plato’s most famous student Developed his own ideas about government

He did so by analyzing every form of government Found good and bad examples of each form Though democracy could lead to mob rule (like Plato)

He favored rule by a single strong, virtuous leader

He thought people ought to live in good conduct to pursue the “golden mean” which was a moderate course between extremely good and extremely bad.

He also set up a school, but his was named, the Lyceum

The Lyceum

Set up by Aristotle For the study of all branches of

knowledge Left writings on

Politics Ethics Logic Biology Literature

1,500 years later European universities evolved and courses

were based on the works of Aristotle

ARCHITECTURE

Greek architects Goal was to convey a sense of perfect

balance Balance was between the harmony & order

of the universe

The Parthenon Most famous example of Greek architecture Temple dedicated to goddess Athena

ART

Sculpture & Painting Early sculptures were of people in rigid

poses from the Egyptian style 450 BC Greeks sculpted in natural poses

was lifelike & idealistic by carving gods, goddesses, athletes, & famous men in a way the showed people in a perfect & grateful form

Only surviving Greek paintings are on pottery

POETRY & DRAMA

Greek literature began with the epics of Homer

Drama was the most important Greek contribution to literature

1st plays evolved out of religious festivals Plays were performed in large outdoor

theaters with little or no scenery They had elaborate costumes and masks Playwrights discussed moral & social

issues or explored the relationship between people and the gods

TRAGEDY

Aeschylus, Sophocles, & Euripides All 3 are playwrights that wrote tragedies or

plays that told stories of human suffering that usually end in disaster

The purpose was to stir emotions of pity & fear

Euripides survived the Peloponnesian War and is believed to have led him to question his accepted ideas

His plays suggest people not the gods are the cause of human misfortune.

THE WRITING OF HISTORY

Greeks applied observation, reason, & logic to the study of history

Herodotus Author of The Persian Wars Called the “Father of History” in the western

world He visited many lands and collected information

from people who remembered the events he chronicled

He noted bias and conflicting accounts He invented conversations & speeches for

historical figures This set standards for future historians by

stressing the importance of research and the need to avoid bias