Greek Democracy & Golden Age

Greek Democracy & Greek Democracy & Golden AgeGolden Age

Age of Pericles 461-429 B.C.Age of Pericles 461-429 B.C.

PericlesPericles WiseWise Power 32 yearsPower 32 years Skillful PoliticianSkillful Politician Inspiring speakerInspiring speaker Respected generalRespected general

3 Goals of Pericles’3 Goals of Pericles’

1.1. Strengthen Athenian DemocracyStrengthen Athenian Democracy

2.2. Hold & strengthen empireHold & strengthen empire

3.3. Glorify AthensGlorify Athens How?How?

1. Stronger Democracy1. Stronger Democracy

Increase # of paid public officialsIncrease # of paid public officials Before only wealthy could hold officeBefore only wealthy could hold office Now everyone couldNow everyone could Result: most citizens engaged in Result: most citizens engaged in

governmentgovernment Direct DemocracyDirect Democracy

Citizens in rule directly & not through Citizens in rule directly & not through reprehensivereprehensive

2. Athenian Empire2. Athenian Empire

Enlarge:Enlarge: WealthWealth PowerPower

Strengthen navyStrengthen navy Why?Why? 200 ship navy200 ship navy Location to seaLocation to sea Needed tradeNeeded trade

3. Glorifying Athens3. Glorifying Athens

$ used to beautify Athens$ used to beautify Athens Bought gold, ivory, & marbleBought gold, ivory, & marble Paid artisans to build from 447-432 Paid artisans to build from 447-432

B.C. & created the ParthenonB.C. & created the Parthenon

ArtArt

ParthenonParthenon 23,000 ft23,000 ft²² Typical temple Typical temple

designdesign Built in honor of Built in honor of

AthenaAthena Greek sculptureGreek sculpture

Statue of AthenaStatue of Athena Goddess of wisdomGoddess of wisdom Athens protectorAthens protector

38 foot tall w/ gold 38 foot tall w/ gold & ivory in it& ivory in it

Wanted statuesWanted statues GracefulGraceful StrongStrong Perfectly formedPerfectly formed Faces showing Faces showing

serenityserenity Classical ArtClassical Art

Body in motionBody in motion OrderOrder BalanceBalance ProportionProportion

DramaDrama

11stst theaters built in west theaters built in west Showed civic prideShowed civic pride Tribute to godsTribute to gods Colorful costumes, masks, & setsColorful costumes, masks, & sets

Dramatize storiesDramatize stories LeadershipLeadership JusticeJustice Duties owed to godsDuties owed to gods

Paid for by wealthy citizensPaid for by wealthy citizens

Tragedy & ComedyTragedy & Comedy Serious drama w/ Serious drama w/

themesthemes LoveLove HateHate WarWar BetrayalBetrayal

Tragic hero (main)Tragic hero (main) Tragic flaw leads to Tragic flaw leads to

downfalldownfall Hubris is biggestHubris is biggest

3 main playwrights3 main playwrights Aeschylus: 80 playsAeschylus: 80 plays Sophocles: 100 plays, Sophocles: 100 plays,

Oedipus the KingOedipus the King EuripidesEuripides

Slap stickSlap stick Crude humorCrude humor SatiresSatires Aristophanes (most Aristophanes (most

famous)famous) Made fun of the Made fun of the

Athenian people & Athenian people & governmentgovernment Meaning?Meaning?

Philosophers Search for TruthPhilosophers Search for Truth

Philosophers=“Lovers of Wisdom”Philosophers=“Lovers of Wisdom” Basic principlesBasic principles

UniverseUniverse LandLand SkySky SeaSea

Understanding through logic & reasonUnderstanding through logic & reason

1. Socrates1. Socrates

Wanted people to examine Wanted people to examine themselvesthemselves

Judge own moralsJudge own morals 399 B.C. (age 70) put on trial399 B.C. (age 70) put on trial

Charged w/ corrupting youthCharged w/ corrupting youth Neglecting city’s godsNeglecting city’s gods

2. Plato2. Plato

Socrates pupilSocrates pupil 28 when Socrates dies28 when Socrates dies 385-380 B.C. wrote 385-380 B.C. wrote The RepublicThe Republic

Perfect governed societyPerfect governed society ÷ into 3 Groups÷ into 3 Groups

1.1. Farmers & artisansFarmers & artisans2.2. WarriorsWarriors3.3. Ruling classRuling class

Greatest insight from ruling class was Greatest insight from ruling class was “Philosopher King”“Philosopher King”

Dominated thought of Europe for 1,500 yearsDominated thought of Europe for 1,500 years

3. Aristotle3. Aristotle

Plato’s pupilPlato’s pupil Created basis for scientific method Created basis for scientific method

todaytoday Method of arguing according to rules of Method of arguing according to rules of

logiclogic Famous pupils was AlexanderFamous pupils was Alexander

Son of King Philip of MacedoniaSon of King Philip of Macedonia 343 B.C. took invitation to tutor 13 year old 343 B.C. took invitation to tutor 13 year old

princeprince 336 B.C. stopped when Alexander b/c king336 B.C. stopped when Alexander b/c king