Ancient Greece: Socrates, Politics, and Architecture

What sources can we rely on to know what Socrates thought?

Xenophon, Plato, Aristophanes (playwright), various secondary writers.

How confident is Johnson that these sources reveal the real Socrates?

He believes that Xenophon is not a trustworthy source, while Plato was trustworthy but lost credibility over time.

In what sense was Greek life defined by competition?

Very competitive, Athens was most competitive city in Greece, seen in Greek cities' athletic and cultural competitions held during this time.

What was the result of the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC?

6,400 Persians were killed, while only 192 Athenians were killed, leading to an Athenian victory

Describe Socrates' father and mother.

Socrates' dad was a craftsman and he made various important sculptures. His mother was a midwife, and she was very kind

Why did Alcibiades compare Socrates' appearance to that of Silenus?

Various statues of Socrates resemble Silenus, but with human features, and Socrates was known to be ugly

Who was Pericles?

Son of Xanthippus, politician in Athens at the time, led Greece in mid-fifth century B.C. following their victory over Persia

What distinction does Socrates make between oratory and philosophy?

Oratory seeks to persuade, while philosophy seeks the truth.

What is the subject of Prometheus Bound?

It is about Prometheus, who was punished by Zeus for giving fire and the arts to mankind.

Who is the author of Prometheus Bound?

Aeschylus

How did Prometheus Bound influence Greek thinking and Socrates?

It presented Prometheus as being for the people and an independent thinker, something that Socrates both sympathized with and was against at times.

Who does Johnson claim to be the most influential of Pericles' pleiad?

He claims it was Protagoras who, among other things, taught virtues in a worldly way to those in ancient Greece at the time, expressed ideas of atheism, and grew rich off of his teachings

What was the Delian League?

It was a way for Athens to collect money from allies and territories, helping them to be able to fight enemies.

What was the centerpiece of the Acropolis?

The centerpiece was the Parthenon, in which there was to be a statue of Athena

Who was the architect of the Parthenon?

Phidias, who mainly worked as a sculptor

When was the Parthenon completed?

438 BC

What two philosophical problems did the Parthenon raise for Socrates?

Slight curves and deviations gave it a more life-like appearance, supporting his statement that math should be used for practical purposes;

It is one of few temples to show mortals

Who was Thespis?

a sixth-century writer who introduced a solo actor that changed with the chorus

Who was Phidippides?

A messenger for the Greeks that ran to inform Greece of the Persian Empire coming. He ran 140 miles in 2 days and died shortly after delivering the message.

Who was Darius of Persia?

Head of the Persian Empire, "the Great King"; died in 486 BC

What was the Battle of Marathon?

Greek victory over the Persian army that ended the First Persian War

Who was Themistocles?

Greek general, used the trireme ships in battle; lied about purpose for building up navy, used it to fight and defeat the Persians at sea

What happened to Themistocles later on after they defeated the Persians?

He was exiled and never recovered, dying in Persia

Who was Xerxes?

Darius's son, wanted to avenge his father's defeat. Built up great army, set out for Greece; forces burned down Acropolis, gained control of Athens before losing to Themistocles' naval forces.

Who/what was the Oracle of Delphi?

Most famous of Greek oracles, Greeks would come to discover their future; considered to center of universe

What did the Oracle of Delphi tell the Greeks who asked about whether they would beat the Persians?

Said the Greeks would lose to the Persians unless they used the "wooden wall"; scared Athenians but inspired Themistocles to fight the Persians at sea using trireme ships.

How long did it take to complete the Parthenon?

15 years

What is the Parthenon frieze?

carvings of Athenians in the Parthenon along the walls.