Chapter 4, section 4 The Culture of Classical Greece

RELIGION RELIGION Considered religion necessary to the well- being of the state Considered religion necessary to the well- being of the state 12 main gods & goddesses 12 main gods & goddesses 12 main gods & goddesses 12 main gods & goddesses

Religion had no doctrine or moral code Religion had no doctrine or moral code Rituals & festivals were popular Rituals & festivals were popular Olympics, 776 BC Olympics, 776 BC Oracle, sacred shrine where a god or goddess revealed the future through a priest or priestess; Delphi Oracle, sacred shrine where a god or goddess revealed the future through a priest or priestess; Delphi Responses were often puzzling Responses were often puzzling

GREEK DRAMA GREEK DRAMA First performed outdoor tragedies, usually in a trilogy; evil acts give way to reason in the end First performed outdoor tragedies, usually in a trilogy; evil acts give way to reason in the end Sophocles, Oedipus Rex Sophocles, Oedipus Rex Euripides; controversial, questioned traditional values Euripides; controversial, questioned traditional values Focused on nature of good and evil; striving to do best did not always lead to success Focused on nature of good and evil; striving to do best did not always lead to success Greek comedy developed later and was used to criticize politicians and intellectuals Greek comedy developed later and was used to criticize politicians and intellectuals

Greek Philosophers Greek Philosophers Greek Philosophers Greek Philosophers Philosophy – organized system of thought; Greek for love of wisdom Philosophy – organized system of thought; Greek for love of wisdom Early philosophers wanted to explain universe on basis of unifying principles Early philosophers wanted to explain universe on basis of unifying principles Pythagoras – music & numbers, theorom Pythagoras – music & numbers, theorom Sophists – traveling teachers who rejected the work of early philosophers; beyond people to understand universe, better to improve yourself; stressed rhetoric; no absolute right/wrong (often viewed as harmful people) Sophists – traveling teachers who rejected the work of early philosophers; beyond people to understand universe, better to improve yourself; stressed rhetoric; no absolute right/wrong (often viewed as harmful people)

Socrates – did not like sophists Socrates – did not like sophists Goal of education was to improve individual Goal of education was to improve individual Socratic method – get student to question themselves, use own reason Socratic method – get student to question themselves, use own reason “The unexamined life is not worth living.” “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Questioned authority Questioned authority Was sentenced to death for being a Was sentenced to death for being a danger to the state danger to the state

Plato – Socrates student Plato – Socrates student Fascinated by reality; How do we know what is real? Fascinated by reality; How do we know what is real? Higher form of reality; objects we perceive with our senses are reflections of the ideal Form Higher form of reality; objects we perceive with our senses are reflections of the ideal Form The Republic bashed democracy; men & women were equal; people were in three groups: The Republic bashed democracy; men & women were equal; people were in three groups: Philosopher kings Philosopher kings Warriors Warriors The masses The masses

Aristotle – Plato’s student Aristotle – Plato’s student Believed that by studying an object we could perceive it’s Form Believed that by studying an object we could perceive it’s Form Loved to observe & investigate Loved to observe & investigate Also studied govt and found that there were three good forms: Also studied govt and found that there were three good forms: Monarch Monarch Aristocracy Aristocracy Constitutional (best form for most people) Constitutional (best form for most people)

Works Cited Works Cited ets+and+the+Greek+Gods ets+and+the+Greek+Gods ets+and+the+Greek+Gods ets+and+the+Greek+Gods ls/socrates/socrates.HTM ls/socrates/socrates.HTM