Greek Quest for Beauty and Meaning

Chapter 5-Section 1

Buildings for the GodsParthenon is best example of Greek architecture

Modest, perfectly balanced structure used optical illusions and perspective to appear “perfect”

The Parthenon

Greek ArtsGreeks excelled at depicting the human form

Told stories on storage pots and murals

Glorified the human form in stone statues

Phidias, Myron, Praxiteles are best known sculptors

Famous Sculptors and their Work

Myron

Phidias

Praxiteles

Theatre and DramaPerformed plays twice a year to honor Dionysus

Early plays were tragedies where lead character is doomed to an unhappy ending

Famous tragedians were Sophocles and Euripides

Greeks eventually wrote comedies

OlympicsGreeks emphasized importance of a healthy body

Trade and war stoppedEvents were individual not team

The Greek MindChapter 5-Section 2

Greek ThinkersGreek philosophers lid foundations for history, biology, logic, and poli sci

Sophists rejected Greek traditions and claimed “man was the measure of all things”

SocratesCritic of the sophists and believed in absolute truths

Developed Socratic method Was executed for “corrupting the youth”

Taught Plato, who opened his own school and wrote The Republic

AristotleBelieved one should live moderately

Method of inquiry and classification influenced scientists

Believed that the ideal gov’t was one ruled by the middle class and included parts of a monarchy, aristocracy, & democracy

HistoriansGreeks were first to accurately record history

Herodotus recorded the Persian War

Thucydides recorded the Peloponnesian War

ScienceBelieved world is ruled by natural laws

Studied astronomy, mathematics, and viewed medicine as a science

Alexander’s Empire

Chapter 5-Section 3

MacedoniaLocated North of GreeceDescendants of the DoriansPhilip II conquered the Greek city-states, which were weak from the Peloponnesian War

Philip intended to destroy the Persian Empire, but was killed

Alexander the GreatIn 336, Alexander replaced Philip at the age of 20

Military leader since the age of 16

Well-educated by Aristotle

War with PersiaSought revenge on PersiaSuperior tactics allowed him to defeat the Persians in battle

Liberated many former colonies Established Alexandria in EgyptDeclared himself Persian Emperor

Imperial Ambitions In 327 B.C., Alexander controlled land to the Indus River valley

Soldiers refused to go any farther, many hadn’t been home in over 8 years

Died of malaria in 323 at the age of 33

Alexander’s Long-Term ImpactSpread Greek culture and language throughout the region to create the Hellenistic way of life

Founded over 70 cities

AlexandriaServed as the model Perpendicular, straight streetsLarge harbors and a massive light house boosted economy

First known library and museumScholars came from all over the world

Increased status for women