Classical Greek Civilization The Hellenic Age

Classical Greek Civilization

Hellenic Civilization Platea (479) to Death of Alexander (323) Note: Golden Age of Athens lasted only 479-401 Consisted of several hundred poleis (city-states) Athens cultural center Hellenic Age marks highest achievement of ancient Greeks

Getting Our Bearings

General Characteristics Competitiveness Rivalry Increasingly urban, polis-centered lifestyle Fusion of civic and sacred Demystification of religion Expanded “civil (civic) rights” High regard for balanced life and moderation in achieving it (mh/den a0ga/n = “nothing too much”)

The Polis The term polis which in archaic Greece meant “city,” changed over time to indicate “state” (which included surrounding villages), and finally to describe the entire body of citizens. The ancient Greeks didn't refer to Athens, Sparta, Thebes and other poleis as such; instead, they spoke of “Athenians,” “Lacedaemonians,” “Thebans” and so on. The body of citizens came to be the most important meaning of the term polis in ancient Greece.

The Polis While each polis had its own history and traits, they shared certain features, including an acropolis and an agora, where political leaders spoke, citizens assembled, and the populace conducted business and socialized.

The Athenian Agora

The Athenian Polis: Evolution Nobles initially ruled through councils and assemblies (aristocracy) Protest/revolt when farming/trading did not support expanding population C. 590: Solon (debt reform, steps to participatory government/those with some land or wealth had voice) 508: Cleisthenes establishes democracy – opens participation to all free, male citizens

The Parthenon: The Fusion of Civic and Sacred

Athena Parthenos Marble replica based on 5th century BCE statue by Phidias. The original statue was much larger than life (40 ft. tall!). Note the sphinx on Athena’s helmet. Note, too, the shift from the archaic style in Athena’s idealized features.

Balance: Dionysus and Apollo

Phases of the Hellenic Age The Delian League (478-460) Wars in Greece and with Persia, and ensuing Thirty Years’ Peace (460-431) Peloponnesian War (431-404) Spartan and Theban hegemony and triumph of Macedonia (404-323)

Pericles Athens role in defeating Persians made it dominant for in Greece Power came from navy…and lower-class rowers (thetes) Pericles supported thetes, and for 30 years was elected strategos Policies created the glorious Athens we think of today

Socrates Under Pericles, Athens became center of philosophy New profession arose: Teacher Sophists initially filled role; taught rationality/systematic doubt Socrates rose in reaction, arguing for absolute truths Argument Greeks started continues today

Peloponnesian War (431-404) Pericles more skilled at domestic politics than diplomacy.  Athenians abused position as the leaders of Delian League (the anti-Persian alliance),turning into own “empire.” Resisted by Sparta.  C. 440 Pericles signs treaty with the Persians Members of Delian league (notably Sparta and Corinth) rebel In 431 BCE, Sparta and Athens go to war.

Peloponnesian War (431-404) Sparta was powerful on land, Athens at sea Spartans devastate countryside, put Athens under siege 429: Plague strikes, kills 20% + of population, including Pericles City population = about 150,000 citizens, 35,000 metics, 80,000 slaves 415: Athens makes great mistake and attacks Syracuse; loses invasion fleet, triggering tremendous internal instability Sparta enters into alliance with Persia; in 404, Spartan commander Lysander finally defeats Athenian fleet

Technology Shipbuilding

Domestic and Foreign Affairs Technology Warfare

Encounter: The Representation of Blacks in Greek Art Starting in the Archaic period, Greek artists began to depict Africans in their art. For the rest of Greek history and then in Roman history, artists continued this practice, thus making the representation of blacks a significant feature of Classical art.

Encounter: The Representation of Blacks in Greek Art

Encounter: The Representation of Blacks in Greek Art

The Perfection of the Tradition: The Glory of Hellenic Greece Theater: Tragedy Features of the Tragic Theater Public, religious festival Choral focus Thespis adds actor; number of actors increased to three, then four Tragic Drama Aeschylus (Oresteia) Sophocles (Oedipus trilogy) Euripides (Trojan Women, Bacchae, Medea, etc.)

The Theater at Epidaurus

The Theater at Delphi

The Perfection of the Tradition: The Glory of Hellenic Greece Theater: Comedy Aristophanes Music History Herodotus, Histories Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War

The Perfection of the Tradition: The Glory of Hellenic Greece Philosophy, Science, and Medicine The Pre-Socratics The Sophists The Socratic Revolution Plato Aristotle Medicine

Slice of Life Secrets of a Successful Marriage in Ancient Greece A famous military commander, Xenophon was also a historian, essayist, and student of Socrates. Nonetheless, his discussion of marriage from Oeconomicus, his essay on domestic economy, or home life, is considered a fairly accurate depiction of the marital ideal among well-to-do Greeks of the time.

The Perfection of the Tradition: The Glory of Hellenic Greece Architecture Sanctuaries The Temple: The Perfection of the Form Sculpture Severe style High Classical style Fourth Century style

The Greek Sanctuary: Temple of Apollo at Delphi

The Greek Temple: The Orders

The Greek Temple: The Parthenon

The Greek Temple: Temple of Hera, Posidoneia

The Greek Temple: Temple of Athena Nike

The Greek Temple: Erechtheum

Sculpture: The Severe Style The Severe Style tries to evoke a sense of quiet dignity and nobility. Significant innovations include new frontality, contrapposto, and a serious facial expression

Sculpture: High Classical Style The High Classical style tries to show motion in a static medium. Polykleitos’ Doryphoros (right) set the sculputral canon.

Sculpture: Parthenon Friezes

Sculpture: Parthenon Friezes

Sculpture: Parthenon Friezes

Sculpture: Fourth Century Style As sculpture moves to the 4th century, artists delight in beauty and sensuality. Note the “Praxitelean curve.”

The Legacy of Hellenic Civilization Humanism Classicism Principles of balance, simplicity, and restraint Works of classicism became building blocks of Western culture Skeptical spirit at core of Western consciousness