Section 3: Greek Achievements

Section 3: Greek Achievements

Main Idea

The ancient Greeks made great achievements in philosophy, literature, art, and architecture that influenced the development of later cultures and ideas.

Objectives

• How did Greek philosophy influence later thinking?

• What types of literature did the Greeks create?

• What were the aims of Greek art and architecture?

I. Greek Philosophy

Philosophy comes from philosophia - “the love of wisdom” - emerged in 500s BC

A. Socrates (c. 470-399 BC)

Socrates was interested in human life; believed learning came from asking questions

Socrates (c. 470 - 399 BC

"The unexamined life is not worth living."

A. Socrates

Socratic Method - learning through questioning

A. Socrates

Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David

B. Plato (c. 428-348 BC)

Plato was a student of Socrates; wrote on variety of topics

Plato believed that humans could not reach perfection

B. PlatoWrote The Republic - government should be led by philosophers

B. PlatoFounded the Academy to make education more formal

C. Aristotle (384-322 BC)

Aristotle studied at the Academy; applied philosophical principles to all knowledge

Aristotle founded his own school - the Lyceum

C. AristotleEmphasized using reason to learn about world, using logic to make inferences

II. Greek Literature

Greeks excelled in poetry, history, drama

The Trojan Horse Greek Theater

II. Greek Literature

Hesiod, a poet, wrote about the works of gods and lives of peasants

Bronze bust of Hesiod, 8th century BC

II. Greek Literature

Lyric poetry dealt with emotions and desires; Sappho and Pindar

Poets Sappho and Alcaeus, who flourished in the

42 Olympiad (612-609 B.C.)

II. Greek LiteratureHerodotus lived during Persian Wars; The Histories describes battles and public debates

Herodotus (484 BC - 425 BC) the “Father of History”

II. Greek LiteratureThucydides wrote about Peloponnesian War

Thucydides (460 - 404 BC) wrote the History of the

Peloponnesian War

II. Greek Literature

Xenophon fought in Persia; wrote about famous men of his time

II. Greek LiteratureGreeks created a form of writing for entertainment - drama, the art of playwriting

Ancient theatres were open spaced. One of the better-preserved theaters is located in ancient Epidauros. The theatre is famous for its acoustics - viewers sitting in the higher seats far away from the orchestra can hear the performers. The seats are made of marble.

II. Greek LiteratureDramas began with festivals to honor Dionysus; two forms of drama - tragedy and comedy

Greek Chorus

II. Greek Literature

Three greatest tragic writers were Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides

Euripides c. 480 - 406 BC

Sophocles

c. 496-406 BC

Aeschylus

c. 525-456 BC

II. Greek Literature

Greatest comedy writer was Aristophanes

III. Greek Architecture and ArtGreeks expressed love of beauty through art and architecture

III. Greek Architecture and ArtFew original paintings and statues survive