Classical Studies - Midterm

How did the ancients experience time differently from us?

The ancients were aware of seasons, months, and astronomical cycles, but their methods of reckoning time were often subjective and varied by location.

What was the significance of Julius Caesar's reform of the calendar?

Julius Caesar added July to the Roman calendar, marking the transition to the Julian calendar.

What event did the phrase "Where were you when the Mede came?" reference?

It references the Persian invasion of Greek territory, serving as a significant historical marker.

Why are ancient literary sources important?

They provide context for understanding the ancient world, even if they are not always accurate in their information.

What languages are the ancient literary sources primarily written in?

Ancient literary sources are primarily written in Ancient Greek and Latin.

What is the acme system in ancient historiography?

The acme system dates events to the "high point" of a man's life, typically considered to be around 40 years of age.

What role did the Greek alphabet play in cultural development?

The Greek alphabet facilitated the shift from an oral culture to a literate culture in Greece.

What was the impact of the Ptolemaic dynasty on Greek literature?

Ptolemy I ordered the construction of the first library in Alexandria, consolidating many important texts.

What is one reason why many ancient texts have survived?

Texts that were popular or used in education, like the plays of Sophocles, had more surviving manuscript copies.

What is the significance of papyri in ancient literature?

Papyri are ancient texts that provide valuable insights into works that might otherwise be poorly documented.

How did inscriptions contribute to our understanding of history?

Inscriptions carved into stone provide evidence of local histories, rulers, and societal norms.

What is the time frame of the Historical Age in the Greek world?

The Historical Age spans from 1150 BCE to 476 CE.

What was the Bronze Age's time frame?

The Bronze Age lasted from 3000 BCE to 1150 BCE.

How did the Greek and Roman literary traditions differ in terms of survival?

Many works were preserved through medieval transmission, while others survived through papyri and inscriptions.

What are papyri, and why are they important?

Papyri are ancient texts that have survived in poor condition, providing insights into history and literature.

How is the Palaeolithic Age characterized?

By evidence of habitation, hunting and gathering, and tool usage, but no evidence of social organization.

• Bronze Age Chronology

• Early Bronze Age (3000-2100 BCE), Middle Bronze Age (2100-1600 BCE), Late Bronze Age (1600-1150 BCE)

Front: Knossos

The primary hilltop "palace" of the Minoan culture, discovered by Arthur Evans in 1899, complex structure with no walls, suggests a thalassocracy (rule by sea)

Akrotiri

Cycladic city on the island of Santorini, abandoned and buried in volcanic ash c. 1600 BCE, unique architecture, well-preserved examples of Minoan-style wall painting

Minoan Decline

theories: political centralization, natural disasters (volcanic eruption, famine, pandemic), decline of Minoan society after 1500 BCE, Mycenaeans take over Crete around 1450 BCE

Mycenae

• Capital city of the Mycenaeans, large citadel on a hilltop in mainland Greece, excavated by Heinrich Schliemann, impressive stone walls, Lion's Gate, elite tombs (circle graves)

• Mycenaean Society

• Reached peak during mid 2nd millennium BCE (1600-1050 BCE), descended from Indo-European speakers, fused their religion with indigenous religion, warrior-elite, strong elite class

• Homeric Poems

• Epic poems, formal designation of a literary genre, longform narrative poems, composed in dactylic hexameters, elevated tone, subject matter concerns gods and heroes, derived from traditional mythology

• Epic Features

• Formulaic language, archaisms, type-scenes, extended similes, conventional features of epic poetry, used in Homeric poems to relay traditional mythology.

• Linear A

• System of hieroglyphic writing developed by the Minoans, unable to decode its meaning, similar writing systems existed in the Near East and Egypt

• Bull Leaping

Violent sport depicted in Minoan art, youths leaping over bulls, possibly religious or cultic in nature

Thalassocracy

Rule by sea, implies a strong naval power, Minoans exercised control over the surrounding sea

• Mycenaean Art

Richly decorated, vibrant walls, bull-jumping wall art, highly-stylized art, figurines and pottery from Knossos

• Phaistos Disk

• Mysterious disk found at the palace at Phaistos, covered in symbols, unable to decode its meaning, possibly a game or calendar

• Nestor's Cup

• Golden cup found by Schliemann, matches the description in Homer's Iliad, earliest example of Ancient Greek writing, inscription appears to identify the cup as "Nestor's"

• Sea People

• Mysterious group mentioned in Egyptian texts, invaded and destabilized the eastern Mediterranean, possibly contributed to the decline of Mycenaean power

Hittite Empire

• Ancient empire that existed in central Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), Troy was a major trading outpost of the Hittite empire

• Epic Poetry

Formal designation of a literary genre, long-form narrative poems, composed in dactylic hexameters, elevated tone, subject matter concerns gods and heroes

• Formulaic Language

Conventional feature of epic poetry, repeated phrases and epithets associated with characters, used in Homeric poems to create a sense of tradition and familiarity.

• The Homeric Question

• Refers to the debate about the authorship and composition of the Homeric poems, including the Iliad and Odyssey, due to linguistic inconsistencies, minor mistakes, and the lack of a single, authoritative version.

• Oral Theory

• Proposed by Milman Parry, suggests that the Homeric poems were composed orally, with a tradition of heroic song, and that the text reflects a tradition more akin to jazz than classical music, with an improvisational element to its composition.

• Homer's Iliad

• Epic poem that tells the story of the Trojan War, with a focus on the wrath of Achilles, conflict and anger, and the human condition, featuring extensive speeches, similes, and divine 'machinery'.

• Homer's Odyssey

• Epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus' homecoming after the Trojan War, with a focus on the structure of societies and households, featuring a more accessible and relatable theme and structure compared to the Iliad.

• The Epic Cycle

• A collection of lost poems that describe the mythological cycle, including further episodes from the Trojan War, with extant summaries and scant fragments of text.

• Hesiod

• Ancient Greek poet, known for his didactic poetry, including the Theogony and Works and Days, which provide stories of the Olympian gods and instructive advice on farming and mythology.

• The Catalogue of Women

• A lost poem that listed the women of myth who had relations with gods and gave birth to mythologically significant children, highly influential on later literature.

• The Fall of Mycenaean Civilization

• The decline and eventual abandonment of the Mycenaean palace centers around 1100 BCE, leading to a period of crisis and the eventual rise of the polis, or city-state.

• The Dark Age

• A period of time characterized by the absence of literacy and monumental architecture, with a continuation of agriculture, animal husbandry, and other cultural practices, and the eventual rise of the Greek alphabet.

• The Greek Alphabet

• Adapted from the Phoenician alphabet, innovative for its representation of vowel sounds with letters, making it a true alphabet, and enabling the recording of the Homeric poems and other literary works.

• The Polis

• The city-state, which arose from the consolidation of settlements and the replacement of the Mycenaean bureaucracy with local power structures, featuring a land-owning elite, aristocracy, and increasing stratification of society

What was a central aspect of timekeeping in communities during the end of the Dark Age?

The scheduling of religious festivals.

What does "panhellenic" mean, and what was its significance during this period?

It means "all-Greek," and it established a collective idea of "Greekness," leading to panhellenic worship and festivals.

What is Delphi known for?

It was a prominent panhellenic cult-center with an oracular shrine to Apollo, where people consulted the oracle through the priestess Pythia.

When were the first recorded Olympic Games held?

In 776 BCE, near the temple of Zeus at Olympia.

What role did ancestor and hero cults play during this period?

They reflected a renewed interest in Mycenaean tombs and ancestor worship through grave offerings and rituals.

How did the concept of "hero" evolve in Greek culture?

Initially meaning "really important guy," by the 6th century it referred to "an important dead man worshipped at his grave."

What is synoecism?

A term meaning political unification, referring to the coming together of various groups within a polis.

How did the role of the basileus change in the Greek city-states?

There was a tendency to reduce the role of the basileus, redistributing power to a council of elders.

Why is the Archaic Period referred to as the "Lyric Age"?

It marks the period when lyric poetry began to be recorded, although it existed before this time.

What distinguished early Greek poetry from modern personal poetry?

It was outward-facing, meant for performance, and tied to public occasions rather than private reading.

What was the significance of the symposium in early Greek culture?

It was a social event for elite men, where they discussed important matters and sang poetry.

What did Sappho's poetry focus on, and why is it controversial?

Sappho is known for her erotic songs, particularly about young women, which raises questions about the context of her performances.

What were the occasions for early Greek poetry?

Religious festivals, weddings, funerals, and victory celebrations.

What were the Pythian games, and how did they compare to the Olympic Games?

The Pythian games were the second most important panhellenic athletic event, held at Delphi.

Who is Anacreon, and what is his significance in ancient poetry?

Anacreon was a great lyric poet associated with the symposium, known for his fragmented works celebrating love and desire.

What role does Eros play in Anacreon's poem?

Eros is depicted as a love god who strikes the poet with a ball, symbolizing desire and attraction.

What role does Eros play in Anacreon's poem?

Eros is depicted as a love god who strikes the poet with a ball, symbolizing desire and attraction.

How is the concept of "Lesbos" interpreted in Anacreon's poem?

It may imply sophistication and rejection based on beauty standards, rather than modern associations of homosexuality.

What is the story of Tithonus, and what is its significance?

Tithonus was granted immortality but not eternal youth, symbolizing the Greeks' views on aging and mortality.

How were men and women depicted differently in black-figure pottery?

Men were rendered in black, while women were painted white, reflecting their societal roles and activities.

What is a Kouros, and what does it represent?

A Kouros is a statue of a naked young man, symbolizing youth and beauty, often associated with initiation rituals.

What moral lesson does the story of Cleobis and Biton convey?

It suggests that true happiness is only known in death, emphasizing the precariousness of fortune.

What moral lesson does the story of Cleobis and Biton convey?

It suggests that true happiness is only known in death, emphasizing the precariousness of fortune.

What common subjects were depicted in Archaic sculpture?

Statues often depicted gods and athletes, reflecting the cultural significance of both in Greek society.

What is the primary function of Greek architecture?

Greek architecture marries form and function, primarily seen in public buildings like temples.

What are the main components of a Greek temple?

A Greek temple typically includes an inner sanctum for sacrifices and exterior colonnades that support the roof.

What are the three architectural orders used in Greek temples?

The three architectural orders are Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.

How were Greek temple columns constructed?

Columns were either made of stacked drums or a single shaft, often fluted, with different capitals for each order.

What does the Actaeon Metope depict?

It illustrates Actaeon's transformation into a stag by Artemis after he accidentally sees her bathing.What does the metope depicting Athena and Perseus represent?
A: It shows Athena standing beside Perseus as he decapitates Medusa, highlighting themes of heroism and divine assistance.

What does the metope depicting Athena and Perseus represent?

It shows Athena standing beside Perseus as he decapitates Medusa, highlighting themes of heroism and divine assistance.

What is significant about the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?

Although only its foundation remains, it was known for its colossal statue of Zeus and elaborate pedimental sculptures.

What was the outcome of the Persian Wars for Greek identity?

The successful repulsion of the Persians fostered a sense of shared Greek identity and cultural pride.

How did the concept of justice evolve in ancient Greece?

Justice was seen as a dynamic process related to achieving balance and correcting imbalances caused by crime.

Who led the Persian invasions of Greece?

The invasions were led first by King Darius in 490 BCE and later by King Xerxes in 480/79 BCE.

What were the "Medizers"?

Medizers were Greek city-states that chose to ally with Persia during the invasions.

What is the significance of the Battle of Marathon?

It was a pivotal Athenian victory against the Persians, marking the first large-scale strategic battle for the Greeks.

What is a trireme?

A trireme is an ancient warship with multiple rows of oarsmen, crucial for Athenian naval tactics.

What two powers emerged from the alliances formed during the Persian Wars?

Athens and Sparta emerged as the two leading powers in Greece following the Persian Wars.