Iliad: Book XXIV – by HomerAchilles has killed the Trojan hero Hector in battle, in revenge for Hector’s slaughter of his own beloved companion Patroclus. Now, in the most touching scene in the Iliad, Hector’s father, King Priam, comes to beg for his son’s body.

Big though Priam was, he came in unobserved, went up to Achilles, grasped his knees and kissed his hands, the terrible, man-killing hands that had slaughtered many of his sons. Achilles was astounded when he saw King Priam, and so were all his men. They looked at each other in amazement, as people do in a rich noble’s hall when a foreigner who has murdered a man in his own country and is seeking refuge abroad bursts in on them like one possessed.

But Priam was already praying to Achilles. “Most worshipful Achilles,” he said, “think of your own father, who is the same age as I, and so has nothing but miserable old age ahead of him. No doubt his neighbours are oppressing him and there is nobody to save him from their depredations. Yet he at least has one consolation. While he knows that you are still alive, he can look forward day by day to seeing his beloved son come back from Troy; whereas my fortunes are completely broken. I had the best sons in the whole of this broad realm, and now not one, none I say, is left. There were fifty when the Achaean expedition came. Nineteen of them were borne by one mother and the rest by other ladies in my palace. Most of them have fallen in action, and Hector, the only one I still could count on, the bulwark of Troy and the

Trojans, has now been killed by you, fighting for his native land. It is to get him back from you that I have come to the Achaean ships, bringing this princely ransom with me. Achilles, fear the gods, and be merciful to me, remembering your own father, though I am even more entitled to compassion, since I have brought myself to do a thing that no one else on earth has done – I have raised to my lips the hand of the man who killed my son.”

Priam had set Achilles thinking of his own father and brought him to the verge of tears. Taking the old man’s hand he gently put him from him; and overcome by their memories they both broke down. Priam, crouching at Achilles’ feet, wept bitterly for man-slaying Hector, and Achilles wept for his father, and then again for Patroclus. The house was filled with the sound of their lamentation. But presently, when he had had enough of tears and recovered his composure, the excellent Achilles leapt from his chair, and in compassion for the old man’s grey head and grey beard, took him by the arm and raised him. Then he spoke to him from his heart: “You are indeed a man of sorrows and have suffered much. How could you dare to come by yourself to the Achaean ships into the presence of a man who has killed so many of you gallant sons? You have a heart of iron. But pray be seated now, here on this chair, and let us leave our sorrows, bitter though they are, locked up in our own hearts, for weeping is cold comfort and does little good. Women are wretched things, and the gods, who no cares

48

themselves, have woven sorrows into the very pattern of our lives. You know that Zeus the Thunderer has two jars standing on the floor of his Palace, in which he keeps his gifts, the evils in one and the blessings in the other. People who receive from him a mixture of the two have varying fortunes, sometimes good and sometimes bad, though when Zeus serves a man from the jar of evil only, he makes him an outcast, who is chased by the gadfly of despair over the face of the earth and goes his way damned by gods and men alike. Look at my father, Peleus. From the moment he was born, Heaven showered its brightest gifts upon him, fortune and wealth unparalleled on earth, the kingship of the Myrmidons, and though he was a man, a goddess for his wife. Yet like the rest of us he knew misfortune too – no children in his palace to carry on the royal line, only a single son doomed to untimely death. And what is more, though he is growing old, he gets no care from me, because I am sitting here in your country, far from my own, making life miserable for you and your children. And you, my lord – I understand there was a time when fortune smiled upon you also. They say that there was no one to compare with you for wealth and splendid sons in all the lands that are contained by Lesbos in the sea, where Macar reigned, and Upper Phrygia and the boundless Hellespont. But ever since the Heavenly Ones brought me here to be a thorn in your side, there has been nothing but battle and slaughter round your city. You must endure and not be broken-hearted. Lamenting for you son will do no good at all. You will be dead

yourself before you bring him back to life.”

“Do not ask me to sit down, your highness,” said the venerable Priam, “ while Hector lies neglected in your huts, but give him back to me without delay and let me set my eyes on him. Accept the splendid ransom that I bring. I hope you will enjoy it and get safely home, because you spared me when I first appeared.”

“Old man, do not drive me too hard,” said the swift Achilles, frowning at Priam. “I have made up my mind without your help to give Hector back to you. My own Mother, the Daughter of the Old Man of the Sea, has brought me word from Zeus. Moreover, I have seen through you, Priam. You cannot hide the fact that some god brought you to the Achaean ships. Nobody, not even a young man at his best, would venture by himself into our camp. For one thing he would never pass the sentries unchallenged; and if he did, he would find it hard to shift the bar we keep across our gate. So do not exasperate me now, sir, when I have enough already on my mind, or I may break the laws of Zeus and, suppliant though you are, show you as little consideration as I showed Hector in my huts.”

This frightened the old man, who took the reprimand to heart. Then, like a lion, the son of Peleus dashed out of doors, taking with him two of his squire, the lord Automedon and Alcimus, who were his favourites next to the dead Patroclus. They unyoked the horses and the mules, brought in the herald, old King Priam’s crier, and gave him a stool to sit on. Then they took out of the polished wagon the princely ransom that had won back Hector’s corpse. But they

49

left a couple of white mantles and a fine tunic, in which Achilles could wrap up the body when he let Priam take it home. The prince then called some women-servants out and told them to wash and anoint the body, but in another part of the house, so that Priam could not see his son. (Achilles was afraid that Priam, if he saw him, might in the bitterness of grief be unable to restrain his wrath, and that he himself might fly into a rage and kill the old man, thereby sinning against Zeus.) When the maid-servants had washed and anointed the body with olive-oil, and had wrapped it in a fine mantle and tunic, Achilles lifted it with his own hands onto a bier, and his comrades helped him to put it in the polished wagon. Then he gave a groan and called to his beloved friend by name: “Patroclus, do not be vexed with me if you learn, down in the Halls of Hades, that I let his father

have Prince Hector back. The ransom he paid me was a worthy one, and I will see that you receive your proper share even of that.”

The excellent Achilles went back into the hut, sat down on the inlaid chair he had left – it was on the far side of the room – and said to Priam: “Your whishes are fulfilled, my venerable lord: your son has been released. He is lying on a bier and at daybreak you will see him for yourself as you take him away. But meanwhile let us turn our thoughts to supper. Even the lady Niobe was not forgetful of her food, though she had seen a dozen children done to death in her own house, six daughters and six sons in their prime.”

(Homer, The Iliad, Book XXIV, translated by E.V. Rieu. Penguin Classics, 1950)

QUESTIONS:

1. Why has Priam come to visit Achilles?2. Achilles and Priam are enemies. Why do they cry together?3. Why does Achilles give the body of Hector back? Is it just the ransom, or

is there something more?4. What does this excerpt tell us about the Greek’s approach to war?

50

Welcome to Hellas VocabDefine the words below:

Democracy –

Solon –

Tyrant –

Cleisthenes –

Direct Democracy –

Archon –

Phalanx –

Pericles –

Persian War –

Peloponnesian War –

Delian League –

Hellas Vocab Pic Due ___________________

Draw a colored pictured defining your assigned word

51

Athens v. Sparta T-GraphDraw a T-graph in the space below and fill in the notes examining the similarities and differences between Athens and Sparta

52

“Welcome to Hellas”, p. 134-141

Do you think direct democracy would work today? Why or why not?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was the ultimate result of the Battle of Marathon?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

How might the Persian Wars have ended differently if the Spartans had not held out

at Thermopylae?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why is the period after the Persian wars considered a golden age of Athenian

history?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why did the members of the Peloponnesian League resent Athens?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

How did Greece change after the Peloponnesian War?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

53

We need a metic!Look at the chart showing Greek democracy, and answer the questions below:

How many Athenians could participate in the government if they wanted to? And how many usually did?

Who decides what will be talked about (the order) in the popular assembly?

How are the military leaders selected? Why, do you think?

How are the judges and archons chosen?

54

Name: __________________________________ Due: _________

Ancient Greece Scavenger Huntwww.AncientGreece.co.uk

Acropolis1. What famous building is on the Athenian acropolis? 2. What might a chariot racer win in a race on Athena’s holiday? 3. What is a plectrum? 4. Why might animals be distressed on the sculpture of the parade? 5. What do you call god or goddess seen as a protector of a particular city? 6. Which version of Athena was seen as most important to Athenians? 7. What are Caryatids? 8. A style of architecture popular in mainland Greece; it is distinguished by

the columns which are sturdy and have a plain capital or column top: 9. Where did sacrifices take place in relation to the temples? 10. What architectural style was commonly used on the Greek Islands and

colonies to the east? Athens

11. What is a Kleroterion?12. What is a metic? 13. What color cloth is used at funerals? 14. In what building did Sokrates spend his last moments? 15. What color balls are used in the kleroterion? 16. What are the most common crops produced around Athens? 17. Who used rope dipped in red paint?

Daily Life18. In which city were women married at 18? 19. In which city would a new bride’s husband be around 30 years old? 20. Who did not have slaves to help out in the home? 21. Who spun thread and wove cloth? Men or women? 22. What is a Gynaikon? 23. What is an Andron?

Festivals and Games24. An Olympic event that involves discus, javelin, jumping, running and

wrestling: 25. What type of events are held on day 3 of the Olympics? 26. Winners at the Olympics are crowned with what? 27. Now we call it and auditorium (hearing place), but it was also called the

what? 28. This is a festival for the god Dionysus:

55

Geography29. Sparta was in what region of Greece? 30. Odysseus was the king of where? 31. Greece has this many islands:

Gods and Goddesses32. A goddess often accompanied by birds such as doves or sparrows: 33. Who was the god of music and poetry? 34. Who is the goddess on the coin in the challenge?

Knowledge and Learning35. This was a person who used reason and argument to discover truth and

knowledge:36. What does Plato say you should try to find? 37. Hippokrates thought that disease was caused by the un-balance of what? 38. Who was the first person to investigate geometry? 39. This man wrote about the Peloponnesian War:

Sparta40. What phalanx do you join at the end of the Challenge? 41. How did a Spartan eat at a feast?

War42. What are the different speeds of a trireme?

Explore the rest of the site and create four more questions (with answers)1.

2.

3.

(45 points possible for assignment)

All done? Try to beat all the challenges!

56

So-crates and Play-Dough VocabDefine the words below:

Socrates –

Plato –

Aristotle –

Reason –

Logic –

Homer –

Lyric poetry –

Herodotus –

Thucydides –

Parthenon –

So-crates Vocab Pic Due: ________________

Draw a defining picture, in color, for the assigned word

57

Name: _____________________________ Due: ________

Secrets of the ParthenonAnswer the questions below while watching the video:

1. What was the name of the team assigned to restore the Parthenon?

2. How long did it take the ancient builders to construct the original Parthenon?

3. What was the goal of the restoration team?

4. How many pieces did the restoration team have to work with?

5. What is architecturally unique about each of the 46 columns?

6. What did the restoration team do to determine which blocks belonged where in the structure?

7. Who was the leader who directed the effort to rebuild the temples of the Acropolis?

8. During what period of Greece’s history was the Parthenon built?

9. What role did democracy play in the reconstruction of the temples of the Acropolis?

10. In what way did the ancient builders use red clay to ensure that their pieces would fit together precisely?

11. How many different stonemasons were identified from the chisel marks?

12. How did the original builders make sure that the diverse workforce all used common measurements?

58

13. What role might the human body have played in Greek architecture?

14. What ratio was found to be prevalent in the Parthenon?

15. How were the ancient builders able to sand their marble pieces so precisely?

16. What device did the ancient builders use to precisely align the Parthenon’s marble pieces?

17. How were the builders able to construct the curved columns without overall architectural plans?

18. What year was the Parthenon completed?

19. What happened in the two years after the Parthenon was completed?

20. Name the groups that took over the Parthenon for the next 2000 years.

59

“So-crates & Play-dough”, 142-148

How did Socrates think people should learn?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why did Plato think that philosophers should be the leaders of governments?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How did Aristotle’s emphasis on reason and logic contribute to the development of science?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Socrates RebutsSocrates' argument against escaping the death sentence Athens has given him:

SOCRATES. Are we saying that in no way are we to wrong intentionally, or are we to wrong in some way, but not in others? Or is it never good nor beautiful to wrong, as we have agreed often at an earlier time?

As I also just said; or are all those earlier agreements of ours in these few days to be thrown out and past, Crito, so as old men discussing seriously with each other has it eluded us that we are not different than children?

Or above all is it as we said at that time, whether the many say so or not,and whether we must still suffer harder things than these or even gentler ones,nevertheless is not injustice both bad and shameful to the wrong-doer in whatever way it happens? Did we say this or not?

CRITO. We said it.

SOCRATES. Then we must never wrong.

CRITO. Of course not.

SOCRATES. Nor retaliate against wrong, as the many think, since we must never wrong.

CRITO. Apparently not.

60

SOCRATES. But what? Must one do evil or not?

CRITO. Doubtless one must not, Socrates.

SOCRATES. But what? Doing evil actions against the evil, as the many say, is just or not just?

CRITO. Never.

SOCRATES. For doing evil to people is no different than wronging.

CRITO. You say the truth.

SOCRATES. Then one must not retaliate nor do evil to any person, no matter what one may suffer from them.

And see, Crito, that in conceding these things you do not agree in a way contrary to your opinion. For I know that these things are held and will be held by few.Thus those who believe this and those who don't, on this there is no common decision, but by force of this condemn each other, seeing each others' decisions.

Therefore look very carefully at whether you agree with this opinion and let us begin with the decision here, that it is never correct to wrong or retaliate or suffering evil to avenge by returning evil; or do you stand aside and not agree from the beginning? For it seems to me thus both before and still now; but if to you it seems anything else, say it and teach. But if you are holding to it as before, listen to the next point.

CRITO. But I am holding to it and agree with you; but say it.

SOCRATES. Then the next thing I am saying, but rather asking is: should someone do what he has agreed is just or deceive?

CRITO. He should do it.

(questions to answer are on the next page)

61

Questions:

What type of sentence does Socrates’ statements usually end with?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

What is a logical argument Socrates is making about doing wrong?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

62

Deity assigned: __________________________________ Due: ___________

Of Gods andGoddesses

“For know that no one is free, except Zeus” -aeschylus, from prometheus bound

The Greek gods and goddesses were not just important to the Greeks. Even today, a knowledge of these ancient deities is considered a mark of an educated person. But perhaps even more importantly the Greek religion gives us insight into their values, morals, and ideas. Therefore, you will complete a research project examining on of the gods or goddesses and present your findings to the rest of the class.

With a partner, you will be assigned a god or goddess to research. The presentation will be in the form of a large poster. Therefore, the more visuals the better, and be creative! Your presentation will need to include AT LEAST the following information:

1. Both the Greek and Roman name of the god or goddess2. A representation of the deity copied from an ancient Greek or Roman

source. Show what props (like birds, shields, fruit, etc) that indicate this is a representation of your deity

3. What role does the god or goddess play? For instance, Poseidon was god of the sea. Most deities had multiple roles – don’t just list one!

4. Founding story: How did this god or goddess come to be?5. At least 2 myths in which this god or goddess plays an important role. Be

prepared to tell the story in your presentation to the class!6. What day-to-day interactions did ancient Greeks have with this deity?

Any important festivals or holy days? What time of year?7. Based on what you have learned about the god or goddess, what new

insight does this give you about the Greeks?8. Provide an example where the idea of this god or goddess is still used

today. This could be in advertising, pop culture, or even just an archetypal idea that we still have.

Remember, this is the minimum. You get bonus points for expanding and including other interesting and relevant information in your presentation.

63

Alexander the Great (Hellenistic)

The Greek Chronology:

_______________________________,

_______________________________,

_______________________________,

_______________________________ (which includes: _______________________________,

_______________________________, _______________________________),

_______________________________.

Hellenistic Means: ______________________________________________________________

A Northern Greek ruler from _______________________________ conquers all of Greece after

the Peloponnesian war. His son Alexander then goes on to conquer all of the Persian

Empire, from _______________________________ in the south to _______________________________

in the east. For this, he is known as Alexander _______________________________

The empire breaks apart into four pieces after his _______________________________, but

Greek culture _______________________________ with the local cultures, causing a major

______________________________________________________________. This causes an explosion in

the advancement of art, philosophy, and technology, centered at the city

_______________________________ in Egypt. The city attracts many of the great thinkers of

the period, who come to use the _________________________________________________________,

the largest collection of books in the ancient world.

64