Ancient Greece: Unit Notes and Commentary I. Hellas: the land A. As ancient Greeks called their land, consists of the Greek Peninsula and the Aegean Sea. B. Extension of the Balkan Mountains. C. See quote p. 117 D. Rivers are non existent; thus we get our first non river based civilization. Thus, many of the idiosyncrasies of Greek civilization can be explained by the lack of a dynamic river system. E. A land blessed with great harbors and sea access F. Dynamic location between Europe and Asia Minor. G. Was Geography a hindrance for the Ancient Greeks? What aspects were hindrances? Helpful? II. The First Greeks: A. Archaeology has not revealed an exact date for the birth of Mycenaean (My sine an) Civilization. Common belief is that the Mycenaean s were an Indo European Group that migrated at roughly the same time that their Hittite, Persian, and Aryan counterparts infested Mesopotamia, Persia, and India respectively. B. 1650 is one acceptable time scale given to Mycenaean beginnings. Great city of Mycenae (My scene e) C. Greeks merged with these peoples and formed Modern Greek civilization. D. This epoch is known as the Heroic period and is recount in the works of Homer. The Iliad and the Odyssey. Both of which are available in my room for reading. E. Most of these legends deal with the semi historical war; the Trojan War. F. Discovered by the legendary archaeological excavation in Turkey. G. Sir Arthur Evans also unveiled another civilization at the turn of the Century the Minoans. Named after the legendary Minoan (My know an) King; Minos. This civilization existed on the island of Crete, they spoke a script unknown to modern scientists: Linear A. Here is a Linear A script link if you would like to take a crack at deciphering it! Here is another one, comparing it to the early Greek/Mycenaean language of Linear B, which we have translated. H. Considering the unknown script all we know about Minoan civilization comes from excavation and scientific study of the island and the legendary castle that sits upon it; Knossos. I. The society dominated by kings and the nobles of their court. J. Minoans served as a cultural bridge (Diffusion) as they traded with Asia Minor, Europe, and Egypt. K. Mycenaean civilization began to flourish about 1650 with settlements in Athens, Thebes, Sparta and Pylos. L. The Political structure of Ancient Greece was the Kingdom, far from its later democratic roots. M. Kings drew their legacy and power from the splendor and size of their castle. Scribes kept accurate records of taxation in Linear B a relative of Linear A.
N. An extensive division of labor tightly controlled from the palace controlled the economy. O. Minoan/Mycenaean contacts were initially peaceful and commercially productive however this relationship soured in the 1450 when Mycenaean s attacked Crete destroying palaces and conquering Knossos (Cnossus). The island was in foreign hands for the next 50 years. The palace will be largely destroyed (see Greek PowerPoint for images) by whom the occupying Mycenaean s or the revolting Minoans is uncertain. P. Whatever the reason the fall of Minoan civilization led to a further resurgence in trade for the Mycenaean s and the early Greeks. The civilization of the Minoans and Mycenaean s is known collectively as Pre Greek or Aegean civilization. Q. While this group certainly prospered, it quickly entered into a period of decline due to the likely invasion by foreigners known as Dorians. However, the evidence points to a series of internal conflicts that are in response to the Mycenaean s warlike nature, and it is likely that the Dark ages of 1100 800 BC were caused by Mycenaean s themselves. This period saw a decline in trade, farming, and even literacy! R. However, this Dark Age was not without its benefits as the age saw massive migrations of Greeks out of the centralized areas to Crete, Asia Minor and Turkey, spreading their ideas with them and creating the basis for a Greek Empire. III. Homer, Hesiod, and The Heroes of the Past: A. The Greeks unlike any of our civilizations had no single sacred series of religious texts that enhanced our historical understanding of them. B. They did however possess the writings of the legendary (fictional) blind poet Homer. C. The writings spoke of heroes, heroines, and a time where gods walked the earth and played with humans as if they were clay figurines. i. This represents much of the problems that relate to Greek history and that is that much of our awareness and understanding comes from fictitious accounts, and thus our analysis is not of a primary source basis rather is interpretive. D. The basis of Greek religion, however can be traced to the epic poem Theogony by Hesiod. E. The writings of Hesiod and Homer are dated to roughly the same time as Greece was emerging out of the Dark Ages and into the age of Heroes. F. Accounts accounts of Achilles the tragic hero and his conflict with the Mycenaean king Agamemnon. G. Odyssey the account of the hero Odysseus and his journey home from Troy encountering and surviving the gamesmanship of the God. H. It is in these stories and Theogony by Hesiod that we see glimpses of the Greek mythological beginnings and their pessimistic portrayal of their anthromophorbic gods. I. For more divine inspiration please see the information on Greek Mythology on the Greek PowerPoint on the website. J. Story of Hesiod and his familial dispute sums up the afterlife and the perspective of Greek Gods and Justice/Morality.
IV. Polis: A. The basic political state in Greece, the Polis or Greek City State B. Three dominant Polis Athens, Thebes and Sparta, the rest of the peninsula was dotted with small city states who could not muster multi regional support. See map 5.1 C. City, town and the countryside definition. Similar to a medieval fiefdom in geographical terms. D. Later in the 5 th century these cities were walled, for protection from attack generated by other polis. E. Polis contained (see PP for pictures) an Acropolis, or an elevated point of the Polis. F. Agora: market place G. Surrounding areas, farm and wasteland the objects of wealth in Greece. H. Given the roots of Greek Democracy it is widely believed that towns and Polis structures outside the big three were quite small. I. This small, cozy nature provided Greece with some of its character and mystique. The close knit society made for easy governance and a close knit personable society. Unlike the vacuous empires of the past in which Kings were almost mythological. J. You will find no divine type emperor in Greek society due to this structure in Greece. K. Nor will you find armies, rather wealthy individuals kept cavalries in the name/good of the society. L. Greek Political Terms: (Founders of most things political) i. Monarchy: rule by one man ii. Aristocracy: Best people iii. Oligarchy: rule of a few (over the many) iv. Democracy: rule by all citizens. v. Tyranny: rule by one who had seized power via extra legal means. vi. Whoever controlled the power wealthy or poor dictated system; poor/commoners usually drove system to Democracy, wealthy to Oligarchy. vii. As a result of this intimate relationship the Greeks allowed nearly no foreigners into their realm. M. Birth of Greek Federalism came with the creation of multiple polis states, which inevitably led to one becoming more powerful. N. Greeks were so intensely individualistic that they had a very difficult time creating a large scale society due to the intense feelings about Democracy and the freedom of individuals. V. Lyric Age A. Based on the great literary genius of the post dark age period. Poets and politics dominated the era. B. Overseas expansion into the areas across the Mediterranean also crucial. This period and the expansion were vital for the Greeks as had they not moved abroad they would not have survived given the agrarian handicaps of the peninsula.
C. Given the climactic similarities of the region it was easy to adapt to any new surrounding whether on the Italian peninsula, Cyprus or The Eastern Mediterranean. D. Archilochus: a member of the colonial organizations and a brilliant poet. Energetic, self reliant, angry adventurous and obscene. E. Sappho: born on the island of Lesbos specialized in intense, personal, erotic poetry celebrating the homosexual relationships that marked her lifestyle. From her birth island we get the phrase Lesbian. VI. VII. The Growth of Sparta: A. During the Lyric Age; Sparta became the leading polis in Greece. Faced same problems, tackled them differently. B. Problem: Overpopulation and Hunger conquest not colonization. Example Messenian wars a conquest of fertile lands in the Peloponnesus. This conquest last for 20 years, turned the defeated Messenians into serfs of the Spartan State (Helots). C. The harsh treatment led to a second conflict known cleverly as the second Messenian war, which was a very violent horrific struggle. Thirty years it took for the Spartans to subdue the Messenian Helots. D. Speaks volumes about Spartan society. E. Restructuring of society by non nobles was a result of the 2 nd Messenian war, brought on by the laws of Lycurgus who equalized laws. Created a dual executive oligarchy (similar to France today in some political regards). They also divided the defeated Messenian lands equally amongst all citizens. Helots worked and slaved the land providing for Sparta. Spartans used terrorism to subdue the ancient slaves. F. Also under the new rules of Lycurgan society Sparta became even more military in nature with the suppression of individual needs to the state (Fascism) and a barracks type military state. All males over 12 were sent to a military company for preparation, at 24 they were ready. Spartan mother s perspective 127. G. See comparison sheet/story on Athens Sparta. H. Spartan women deemed equal, in many regards as free as any in the ancient world. A key cog in the military state of Sparta. The Rise of Athens A. Athenian response to problems of Greek civilization markedly different from the Spartans. B. Colonization v. Conquest C. Democracy v. Oligarchy D. Philosophy v. Violence. E. Evolution i. Draco: first law code of Athenian Polis, harsh yet based in the hands of the people. (621 BC) Conflict between Aristrocrats/Poor over land. Debtors exiled, tyranny on rise until ii. Solon: an aristocrat and poet who saw the rights of all as important, condemned greed in his poetry. Oral citations called for justice and fairness, elected the Archon or Chief Magistrate of Athens in 594 implementing many of his policies by freeing debtors, canceling all debts and ending enslavement on the basis of debt.
Divided society into 4 legal groups all enjoying rights. When people called for him to assume a tyrannical role he left Athens. iii. Pisastratus: returned to Athens conquered and established a tyranny when he realized that Aristocrats were the problem he reduced their power and supported the common people. iv. Cleisthenes: emerged victorious in a brief battle over tyranny with the son of Pisastratus, Hippias. Reorganized the Athenian democracy based on the will of the people, all had a say. Created the Deme a local unit to serve as the basis of his political system. Citizenship was tightly linked to the Deme. All Demes were grouped into tribes (10), which worked with the assembly of all citizens and a council of 500. World s first bicameral political structure. 1. Boule council of 500 2. Ecclesia assembly of all (major power) open to all males over 18. v. Athenian democracy perfect for a small state (est. population during the rise of democracy 180 220K). Women and slaves denied rights. Compelling aspect the state existed for good of citizen. VIII. 11 th : Using the Map in your book (page 118), prepare for the Map Quiz on Thursday the A. Identify the following: i. Macedonia ii. Ionia iii. Ithaca iv. Crete v. Mount Olympus vi. Cnossus vii. Delphi viii. Thessaly ix. Delphi x. Thebes xi. Athens xii. Sparta xiii. Corinth xiv. Mycenae xv. Byzantium xvi. Troy xvii. Rhodes xviii. Lesbos xix. Halicanarsus xx. Peloponnesus xxi. Messenia xxii. Hellespont xxiii. Aegean Sea
xxiv. Mediterranean Sea xxv. Ionian Sea IX. The Classical Period: (500 338 BCE) A. Warfare: main rival the Persians and themselves. B. 499 BCE the Greeks living on the edge of the Persian Empire rebelled against the pressing Persians. 490 the turning point arrived at the battle of Marathon (story of 26.1 mile race). C. Angered at the defeat of the Persian Empire in 490, ten years later Xerxes lead a powerful invasion force that was turned back by a Spartan led coalition on land and an Athenian led Naval force. (Themistocles) D. Greek fighting forces known as Hoplites, showed their mettle at Thermopylae (pass in Euboea). E. Key victory came at battle of Salmis an Island just west of Athens F. The victory ended the Persian threat and allowed for the continuation of Greek Civilization G. Result II: The establishment of the Delian league an alliance structure aimed at liberating Ionia from the Persians. Leadership fell to Athens, controlled financial system as well. H. Athenian success against Persia had a sinister side, became an Athenian empire. Controlled finances and fruits of success turning Sparta and the rest of Greece against the Athenians. I. Sparta began to form a counter allegiance against the Athenians. J. It was during this time that Pericles emerged as the dominant statesman, a war broke out in 459 BC over these matters with an end in 445. The war resulted in no damage or power struggle. K. However, the Athenian attitude did not change despite the war. Spartans declared a second war in 431 that would last a generation and would bring about major changes in Greece; the Peloponnesian War. Chronicled by the historian Thucydides L. Alcibiades: a prominent politician who replaced Pericles who died in a plague, one of the series that emerged during the crisis. He was a student of Socrates who had a self seeking side that led this demise. His scheming helped bring about an end to Athens, he for personal gain deserted to Sparta and even aided the Persians M. War ends in 404 BC with the destruction of Athens by the Spartans. A serious blow to this civilization will be dealt results forthcoming. X. The Birth of the Philosopher Kings: A revolution in Thought. A. A time of great thinking and thought was the Classical Age. B. Herodotus: chronicled the wars with Persia. The first Historian. C. Thucydides: chronicled the wars with Sparta; the Peloponnesian War. D. Development of the Acropolis by brilliant architects. (See PP for pictures.) Such buildings as the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, Poseidon s temple, etc Sculptures by Phidias. E. Playwrights: i. Aeschylus: dramatist: Oresteia. Wrote about betrayal, murder, reason and reconciliation.
ii. Sophocles: tragic poet authored Antigone, Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colunus. Wrote about the personal and political. Great influence to Shakespeare and Marlow. iii. Euripides: last of the tragic dramatists. Explored personal conflict, wrote about situations pertaining to Polis during struggle like Peloponnesian war, the role of the divine, the importance and splendor of humans. Profound impact on Rome and beyond. F. Philosophers: i. Pre Socratic thinkers 1. Thales: learned mathematician took mathematics and astronomy to new levels, built on the achievements of the learned Babylonians, Greeks and Indians. Applied reason to Nature; ex. Solar Eclipses. Natural elements such as Water building blocks of nature. 2. Anaximander: infinity of universe. 3. Heraclitus: world had no beginning or end. 4. Culmination of Pre Socratic thought: elements in the Universe were Air, Earth, Fire and Water. 5. Aesop: a non scientific thinker a storyteller, moralist. Good sense and simple patterns, in certain regards similar to Confucius. Check the link for some fables! ii. Classical Thinkers: 1. Hippocrates: father of Modern Medicine. Sought natural explanations to phenomena of the body. Basing information on knowledge and not magic, he made great strides in the advent of reason and logic. Viewed medicine as a craft. 2. Sophists: traveled the Greek world teaching young MEN about philosophy. All Human Beings were proper subject matter. Excellence and logic could be taught. Prepared for life in the Polis. Laid groundwork for the later Philosophers. 3. Socrates (470 399): an artisan spent his life investigating and defining. Never formally taught so not a pure Sophist his legacy was his orations, which were composed by his followers. Posed ethical questions and drove the learner to understanding through questioning: The Socratic Method. Placed on trial for corrupting youth read this for key info on the trial and accusations. 4. Plato (427 347 BC): a prolific student of Socrates and a brilliant author. Created the Academy. Essays on everything from ordinary life, to science, to politics. His text the Republic is the pre eminent work in the annals of Political Science. Wrote with satire, irony, and comedy to portray deep methods of thought. His experiences during the Peloponnesian War forced him to ask new questions of Humankind. Where had society gone wrong? Ignorance was a wretched principle the worst in human scheme. Wrote extensively on the life of Socrates and his demise to point out problems in society. Only a divine province brought about goodness. Anything visible, tangible, are constant and indestructible.
a. His utopian polis was a society of balance, order, and education, equal, with all contributing. Later contradicted in Laws, as Peloponnesian War clouded his vision. 5. Aristotle: a student of Plato (384 322 BC), authored Politics. Wrote about the ideal Polis, he stressed moderation concluding that the balance of the ideal state depended on peoples talent and education. Both a philosopher and a scientist. Utilized logic as his guide, attempted to bridge gap between abstract and concrete. Wrote Physics and Metaphysics expressing his empiricism. Physics dealt with the natural phenomenon that surrounds us all, principles that lasted through the Enlightenment. Four principles matter, form, movement and goal as building blocks of life. Took up the matter of Ionian speculation in the text On the Heaven. Theories of cosmology added ether to the normal building blocks emphasized in the past. Universe revolves and it is both spherical and infinite. In short he tried to learn everything! 6. Philosopher Quiz: Wednesday! Everything in this Roman numeral! Short and sweet. XI. XII. Daily Life in Athens: A. Lived very happily and peacefully in Athens, miserable and intense in Sparta. B. Cooking done over a hearth, ate bread, olives, figs, lentils and grapes, occasionally meat which was in rare supply. C. Jobs: farmer, potter, bronze smith, sailor, merchant, boat maker, construction and laborers. D. Slavery: commonplace very different than US version. VERY IMPORTANT I ll explain why in class. E. Difficulty of agriculture. F. Religion: based upon the presence of a group of anthromophorbic gods who ruled and meddled in the lives of humans. They were so involved that people did nothing in their daily lives to anger any of them! Expressed in the development of mythology. Stories designed to foster morality and the experience of all Greeks. See a link on Mythology, read a story or two if you are interested! i. Much was done to please the gods such as temples and sacrifices. Oracles common for divine inspiration. ii. Olympics designed to please the gods develop heroes. G. Sexuality: homosexuality viewed as a normal stage in life. The Demise: 404 338 BC A. Sparta defeats Athens, and begins striving for the creation of a Spartan Empire. Their arrogance and attitude was as dangerous as the Athenians they replaced. Solicited Persian help to attain an empire. Theban army under Epaminondas destroyed the Spartan army. Thebes was unable to bring peace to the region, Epaminondas death in 362 BC brought about an end to an exhausted age. B. Rise of Macedonian empire under Philip II the father of Alexander the Great. His genius, patience and determination brought all of Greece under his yoke. The final end came in 338 BC when the combined armies of Thebes and Athens fell to
Philo pat Chaeronea. He had defeated the Greeks and brought an end to their freedom. C. Why they fell? i. Agricultural weaknesses ii. Philosophical differences between Athens and Sparta iii. Failure to unite D. The Hellenistic World: World History Notes I. Alexander the Great is ushered into power as his father is slain in 336 BC A. The assassination is a mystery? B. His affairs and betrayal of his wife Olympias angered both Alexander and his mother. C. The assassin was a bodyguard with little motivation of his own? II. Alexander the Great and the Great Crusade:
A. Had inherited his father s dream and plan; to unite the Greeks under Macedonian rule, using Greek principles. Both Alexander and Philip were more Greek acting than Macedonian. B. Plan 2: lead Macedonians against the Persians and conquer the known world. C. Challenge 1: after Alexander became king, the rebellious city states of Greece were skeptical of the young 20 year old son of Philip. They revolted throughout the region, he ventures into major Greek cities and restakes his claim with unprecedented swiftness and destruction they were now sold on his authority. D. Alexander was well prepared for the role, as his father had raised him with a very strict military type upbringing, as well as a rigorous intellectual upbringing introducing him to the classics of the Greek world and even employing Aristotle to tutor the boy. (Rumors and myth have it that Aristotle quit in a huff because Alexander intimidated him intellectually, those stories are unfounded.) E. First conquest aims: 334 BC after conquering Greece (re) Alexander turns his attention to Persia wins major victories at Granicus, Issus and Guagamela (See Alexander video for further clarification.) Outnumbered at every stop Alexander makes a fool of the Persian King Darius V. After conquering the Persian empire and assuming role of Sultan of Persia, Pharaoh of Egypt (he created 17 Alexandria s!), he turned his attention to present day India where he traveled through deserts and jungles to stake his claim. F. Great interactive map of his claims: G. He conquered the Raja s battle elephants and was making head way in India restoring all of the Persian claims under his rule, yet the troops refused to go any further at Hyphasis after a 1 way trip of 11,000 miles in the name of pure conquest. H. Ever respectful of his men, whom he fought with and was one with Alexander relented. He was the richest man in the world (ever) and had conquered parts of India, Persia, Asia, Egypt, and the Former Greek world he had achieved his vision to rule the known world under his yoke and vilify his dream of becoming a warrior the equal of Achilles whom he idolized. He read the Iliad for inspiration and slept with it under his pillow. I. Alexander turned around and headed back to Greece/Macedonia the land of his birth, which he would never see again. The journey home was littered with Chaos for Alexander as his boyhood companion and life partner/lover Hephestian will fall ill and die, Alexander will weep for days. His own death will come from Malaria in 323 BCE. The result of his death had left his empire (see map on 151) in chaos. His response to his generals at this bedside when asked who inherited his throne: The strongest. A power struggle for control of the mighty kingdom will emerge. Civil war raged for 43 years. By the end they had carved out semi stable monarchies. i. Ptolemy Egypt ii. Seleculus overthrown by Mauryans inherited the largest part Western Persia to India iii. Parthians arose in Iran iv. Greeks reclaimed a monarchy in Bactria v. Antingonous claimed Macedonia in Europe vi. See map on 153
Changes by 90 BC: Major impact was the incredible wave of cultural diffusion known as Hellenism. II. The Spread of Hellenist Ideas: Like the game of Risk, the Greeks brought the ideas of Classical and Heroic Greece into every area they entered. These ideas spread and evolved in conjunction with the ideas existing in the areas upon the arrival of Alexander. A. Achievements/Developments/characteristics:
i. Cities and Kingdoms: the resurgence of Monarchy 1. Monarchs were a thing of the past, no more. 2. Most kingdoms as you can see from the maps above are very diverse, many different groups contained within these kingdoms. 3. Attempted to create a relationship with the King and the local religion/gods. 4. Power in the hands of Hellenistic queens 5. Large numbers of Greeks needed to run these kingdoms, major parts of the bureaucracy. 6. Greeks necessary to emigrate to create that society. 7. Problem, historically the Greeks had never been able to deal with a non sovereign polis. 8. Polis were given the same institutions yet were ruled by the kings without reprieve. It was his/her property. Female leaders existed. 9. Societies were so diverse that class categories emerged that became racially profiled with Greeks as the upper class and lower classes the diverse groups. Jews and others resisted. 10. Resembled a modern city with cultural centers, temples, libraries and a place for amusement. 11. Emphasis on securing borders as political focus made warfare very common. Seculids and Ptolemies engaged in 5 wars for the possession of Syria. ii. Economic and social progress 1. Land and money were available for immigration 2. Talented Greeks rose through the ranks of the Bureaucracy. 3. Armies places of power and employment. Natives rarely allowed to serve. Professional armies arise consisting of Greece. 4. Greeks dominated all professions including artisans, architects and skilled craftsmen. Greek buildings and homes were commonplace. 5. Literacy and learning increased. Poets, philosophers contributed to the intellectual life of the age. 6. Women had a dramatically increased role participating in commerce and politics. iii. Hellenistic problems: never able to achieve legitimacy given their diversity and origins. Relocation was only financial in nature; never did they truly buy into areas they moved to. As immigration slowed, the progress of Hellenism slowed. iv. The result a collapse as they ran out of Greeks! The immigration slowed and they collapsed in 202 BC in the wake of the Roman Empire. B. Greeks and Easterners. i. Greeks were a minority but the monarchies were remarkably successful in at least partially Hellenizing Easterners and spreading a uniform culture throughout the East.
ii. The culture that was spread was wide, not deep. Languages were not unified, customs were not unified and thought was not unified, the assimilation of these is very difficult. iii. Particular problems in Egypt where the Ptolemies were not city builders or diffusers of knowledge and only built 1 city at Thebes. The people of Egypt really did not change when compared to the Pharaohic age. 1. Their bureaucracy was ruthless and efficient. The population was treated brutally 2. Adoption of Greek lifestyles occurred largely through intermarriage. 3. Major cultural barriers, symbolized some of the problems of Hellenism. iv. Seleucids established many cities along Tigris and Euphrates in order to nurture a vigorous and large Greek population. The military nature of the society led to the rural areas being Hellenized with the presence of military bases. Also spread the culture to India. Greek language became very common in the East. Greek became the speech of the royal court. 1. Jews and other native groups were granted religious tolerance, no need for royal interference of religion. Most declined citizenship, as it required worship of cities Greek gods. Thus, many groups never became citizens due to segregation and religion. 2. Jews did adopt Hellenism as evidenced by the translation of the Hebrew texts into the Bible. v. Conclusions in the East a true fusion never occurred. III. The Economic Scope of Hellenism a. No revolution in the way people lived and worked. Commerce however was impacted. b. The gold that Alexander had found changed the commercial balance of the world. c. Financed new cities, new roads, and harbor development. d. Commerce altered by transactions in a common standard Attic. e. Greeks spread their laws and business throughout the east given these innovations. f. Trade spread to all ends of the known world. g. All of this commerce led to the sharing of ideas. h. Caravans: as Caravans of traders emerged through the regions, state arose in the Mid East region along these rounds. i. Sea routes also especially important. j. However, warfare also impacted the development as constant warfare made travel precarious. k. Famine and food shortages common during the Hellenistic period. l. Trade of slaves common, as was the kidnapping and piracy of slaves. Set standard for Rome. Only in Egypt was this practice discouraged.
m. Mining was a major Hellenistic industry, due in part to the creation of currency. Pottery an important commodity, made locally. n. Volume increased despite no change in methodology or industrial machines. o. Agriculture a focus as evidenced by Ptolemies who sought experts and recognized the need for planned and constant irrigation. Agriculture did not increase despite this focus. IV. Religion in the Hellenistic World a. Easterners were the major contributors. b. Greek cults common based on ancient times. c. Greek religion from the classic age common. d. Emotionless religions when compared to the east. e. Greek religions and their civic importance declined. f. Yet Eastern religions did not impact the Greeks for another century. g. Impact was mutually slow and indecisive. h. Some kingdoms supported new religious cults. i. These new religions did not strike the Greeks as odd, such as the Elueusinian mysteries in Attica. j. All religions developing claimed to save their adherents from the worst that fate could do and promised life for the soul after death. They all had rites of initiation devotees became united with the god who had himself died and risen from the dead. Much like the mystery religions in Greece these faiths demanded a period of preparation in which they strove to become holy. Upon completion they learned the secrets of the religion. k. Cults of Egypt: Serapis and Isis i. Serapis: Whom Ptolemy invited combined elements of Greek gods with Osiris. A judge of souls who rewarded virtuous and righteous people with eternal life. He was very popular and thought of as Zeus during these times. ii. Isis: wife of Osiris claimed to have conquered Tyche (Fate/Chance a focus of superstition) and promised to save any mortal who claimed to have conquered her. Became very popular with women the first feminine faith. iii. Tyche: became a goddess of such cities as Antioch her forte fate or chance. Lady Luck was worshipped in the hope that she would be kind. l. Neither conflict nor acceptance between these faiths. m. These tendencies toward religious universalism and the desire for personal immortality and would prove significant when the Hellenistic world came under the sway of Rome, will pave the way for the spread of Christianity. V. Philosophy and People. a. Exclusive province of the wealthy only they could focus and spend time on it. However, it had reached out to effect many during this time period. b. Why? Since the end of the Polis had died and democratic/politic development was on hold people needed something to think about. Search for someway to combat Tyche c. Philosophers more common now teach people how to deal with Tyche.
d. Cynics: urged a return to nature, discard tradition and customs and live simply. Reject material things and you can become free and nature would provide for you. e. Diogenes of Sinope (412 323 BC) spread the philosophy of the Cynics happiness (Buddhism?) only possible by living in accordance with nature and forgoing luxuries (this time question not why suffering, but what can be done to combat Tyche?). Alexander story. Nature will provide all. Political allegiances and Kings were nothing and they should be ignored in favor of nature. f. Epicureans (Epicurus 340 270 BC) the result of the founding of a school in Athens. View based on science and put forth a naturalistic theory of the Universe. Gods had no effect on human life, principal good is pleasure, which is the absence of pain. Taught people to seek pleasure or avoid things that caused pain. Ignore the outside world and seek inner sanctum to find your pleasure. Ignore political issues which disturb your peace and pleasure g. Stoicism: Founder Zeno (335 262 BC. A philosopher from Cyprus, formed his own school in Athens named Stoa after the building. Became the most popular philosophy of the Hellenistic times. Nature an expression of divine will, in their view people could be happy only when living in accordance with the universe stating that all men were brothers and obliged to help each other. Politics a forum for participation. Stoics are actors who play a play and never change the play. Live a virtuous life and in that way you could conquer Tyche. Ethical philosophy. VI. Hellenistic Science a. Built on the foundations of the near East. b. Astronomy: Aristarchus of Samos educated by Aristotle. Concluded that sun is much larger than earth and stars are very from earth. Argued that the Earth was not the center of the Earth contradicting the Aristotelians the heliocentric theory 1600 years before Copernicus. Thanks to Ptolemy s support (Mathematician not king of Egpyt) of Aristotle s theories. c. Euclid compiled a mathematical text known as the elements of Geometry which was a cumulative look at all Geometry. (300 BC) Basis for modern Geometry. d. Archimedes: greatest thinker, inventor. Lived in Syracuse and watched Rome emerge in the Mediterranean. To combat the Roman siege he invented several machines to thwart the armies of the Romans. Catapults, grappling devices and the pulley. Father of modern engineering. Also interested in mathematics On Plane Equilibriums dealt with the principles of mechanics/levers. On Falling Bodies founded the science of Hydrostatics, whenever a solid floats in the water the weight of the solid is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced. Eureka e. Eratosthenes: used mathematical studies to calculate the circumference of the earth, map studies, geography, and sailing. f. Theophastrus: botanist g. Overall they invented the air gun, steam engine, water organ, never were these used to make human life easier science productive yet impractical. h. Medicine: Hippocrates carried to new levels. Herophilus (300BC) accepted the writings of the four humors and studied medicine in a systematic fashion he dissected dead bodies and measured his observations. Discovered the nervous system motor and sensory nerves. Brain center of intelligence. i. His contemporary Erasistratus also conducted research on Herophilus work, felt air and diet best healers.
ii. Dogmatists: school of medicine in Alexandria speculation played an important part in research, invented new surgical techniques. Empiric school founded by Philinus and Serpaion students of Herophilus, based on research and anatomy/physiology. iii. Dark side of Medicine: 167. 1. Magic and incantation great quote on 167 Epilepsy and medicine.