2. Greek Philosophers
Greek achievements in the arts signified the
height of human development in the western
world
Greek thinks used observation and reason to
find causes for things instead of believing they
were caused by the whims of the gods
Philosophers---”lovers of wisdom”
Studied logic---rational thinking
Through reason and observation, they
believed, they could discover laws that
governed the universe
3. Greek Philosophers
Others Greek philosophers were interested in
ethics and morality
“What is the best kind of government?” and “What
standards should rule human behavior?”
Developed skills in rhetoric---art of skillful
speaking
Socrates---Athenian stone mason and philosopher
Socratic method---pose a series of questions and
examine the implications of each answer
He believed this patient examination was a way to
help others seek truth and self-knowledge
5. Greek Philosophers
When he was 70 years old, Socrates was put
on trial for supposedly corrupting the youth of
Athens and failing to respect the gods
He stood before a jury of 501 citizens and
offered a calm defense of his practices
He was condemned to death by the jury
He drank a cup of hemlock and died
6. Greek Philosophers
Plato---Socrates’ student---he fled Athens for
10 years after Socrates’ death and distrusted
democracy
He returned and set up a school called the
Academy and taught and wrote
He believed through rational thought, people
could discover unchanging ethical values,
recognize perfect beauty, and learn how to
best organize society
8. Greek Philosophers
Plato’s “Republic”---his vision of an ideal state
Argued that the state should regulate every
aspect of its citizens’ lives in order to provide
for their best interests
Three classes: workers to produce the
necessities of life, soldiers to defend the
state, and philosophers to rule
9. Greek Philosophers
Aristotle---Plato’s most famous student
Analyzed all forms of government from
monarchy to democracy, and found good and
bad examples of each
Was suspicious of democracy---thought it
could lead to mob rule
Believed that rule by a single strong and
virtuous leader was best
11. Greek Philosophers
Aristotle thought about how people should live
“Golden mean”---good conduct with a
moderate course between extremes
Set up a school, the Lyceum, for the study of
all branches of knowledge
Left writings on
politics, ethics, logic, biology, literature, and
other subjects
When the first European universities evolved
some 1,500 years later, their courses were
largely based on his works
12. Architecture and Art
Greek architects sought to convey a sense of
perfect balance to reflect the harmony and
order of the universe
Most famous example of Greek architecture--the Parthenon---temple dedicated to Athena--located on top of the Acropolis
15. Architecture and Art
By 450 B.C., Greek sculptors had developed a
new style that emphasized natural poses
Sculptors carved gods, goddesses, athletes,
and famous men in a way that showed
individuals in their most perfect, graceful form
The only Greek paintings to survive are on
vases and other pottery
16. Poetry and Drama
Greek plays took two forms: tragedies and
comedies
The first Greek plays evolved out of religious
festivals
Plays were performed in large outdoor
theaters with little or no scenery
Actors wore elaborate costumes and stylized
masks
Greek plays discussed moral and social issues
or explored the relationship between people
and the gods
17. Poetry and Drama
Tragedies---one of the best examples of a Greek
tragedy was “Antigone” written by Sophocles
“Antigone”---explored what happens when an
individual’s moral duty conflicts with the laws of
the state
Antigone is a young woman whose brother is
killed leading a rebellion. The king forbids anyone
to bury his body. When Antigone buries her
brother’s body anyway, she is sentenced to death.
She tells the king that the duty to the gods is
greater than human law.
18. Poetry and Drama
Comedies---humorous plays that mocked
people or customs
Comic playwrights sharply criticized
society, much as political cartoonists do today
19. The Writing of History
The Greeks applied observation, reason, and
logic to the study of history
Herodotus---”Father of History”---he visited
many lands and collected information from
people who remembered the events he
chronicled
He cast a critical eye on his sources, noting
bias and conflicting accounts
Standard set for modern historians by
Herodotus---the importance of research
21. The Writing of History
Thucydides wrote about the Peloponnesian
War and vividly described its savagery and its
corrupting influence on all those involved
Standard set for modern historians by
Thucydides---the need to avoid bias
