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