Our Heritage from Ancient Greece

Today we’re going to begin the study of Greek Literature. We’ll be examining various aspects of the Golden Age of Greece including culture, art, playwrights, philosophy and theater, and how these things are still affective in today’s society. We’ll be looking into Greek Mythology, their belief in immortality of the gods, and how the very building blocks of our language today stems from that of the ancient Greeks.

What do you already know about Greek literature, culture, etc?

Homer Homer was a blind poet. He is most famous for

writing The Iliad and The Odyssey. These two pieces are

based off of the Trojan War

900-800 B.C.

The Olympics Religious festival dedicated to Zeus Took place every four years In times of war, a truce was called

during the Olympics, no matter what!

Shrine of Apollo Apollo has been variously recognized as

a god of light and the sun; truth and prophecy; medicine, healing, and plague; music, poetry, and the arts

Know thyself Nothing in excess

Government System Democracy: 1st government by the

people Not quite perfect Still had slavery Still more democratic than a monarchy

How does “nothing in excess apply to Greek sculpture, and architecture Simplicity Clarity Grace Physical Beauty

How did drama begin in Athens? Public ritual First began as a festival for the god,

Dionysus A chorus appeared with a lyre, people

began to sing praise. Eventually dialogue began. Hence, birth of theatre

Socrates Most famous

philosopher of Greece

Asked questions instead of giving answers

Charged no fees Taught lessons Wrote nothing

Plato Disciple of

Socrates Gave Dialogue to

Socrates’ ideas

Greeks were concerned with What were each citizen’s responsibility to his

fellow man? Each Greek tried to understand his own

nature. Greeks said “The unexamined life is not worth

living”. Greeks pursued excellence The true Greek hero was the whole man-the

man of excellence; wisdom; strength; balance

Death of Socrates/Fall of Athens Condemned to death after trial for his

words of truth. He was considered subversive for speaking against the war.

Forced to drink poison. Athens fell under Spartan rule.

Think about it… What are some things rooted in Ancient

Greek culture that we still see in our society today?

a. The Olympicsi. Brings unity to a war stricken worldAll groups agreed to halt battle when the games occurred. ***Extra credit*** Have the Olympic games ever been cancelled? Ask your history teacher, look online or at the library. Bring proof of your findings to class. ii. Provide entertainment. Prevention from chaos.

b. Democracyi. Framework for today’s government.ii. Deplored dictatorship of a monarchy. Equality of man.

c. Theatrical Influencei. Provides inspiration to writers of todayii. Again, serves the purpose of entertainment.

d. Philosophy i. Ideas still studied today. ii. Examined against science and religion of today and yesterday.

Discussion1. Why are these still important parts of

our world today?2. How do they serve a purpose?

Homework Look at question three. Re-read the quotes

inscribed on the shrine of Apollo. (“Know thyself and Nothing in Excess”)

What do phrases mean to you? Do you think it provides useful advice to follow in today’s society?

Answer the questions above for each quote. Each quote is to be written on one side of the note card, followed by the student’s explanation.