Greek A&A 3-11-26

The instructor emphasizes the importance of feedback on notes prior to the exam to refine students' approaches.
Acknowledgment of the progress in students' note-taking abilities with being provided a term identification list and a word list.
The number of terms has increased from 20 to 22.

Announcement of a significant change in the exam structure:
- Introduction of an unseen slide in place of one of the short essay prompts.
- Students will still have the choice to write an essay from a selection of two out of three themes.

Discussion of the shrinking time frame covered in each exam, emphasizing the increase in the pace of historical changes:
- Previous exam (or the first exam) covered approximately 2000 years of ancient Greek history, from 3000 BC to 1000 BC.
- The current exam covers a period of about 500 years, from 1000 BC to the beginning of the 5th century BC.
- The next exam will cover a period of just over 300 years.
- Reason for this contraction: rapid rates of innovation and more detailed historical sources.

Introduction to the Berlin Painter, recognized by a distinctive style:
- Named by the scholar Beasley, who identified the painter's works based on stylistic analysis.
- Argument against his honesty in artistic representation by Beasley.
The Berlin Painter is comparable in quality to Renaissance artists, suggesting high standards of artistry.
An example of his work discussed is the Panathenaic amphora attributed to Ezekielus, a black-figure painter of the mid-6th century BC:
- These amphorae were awarded as prizes during the Panathenaic Games, a four-yearly competition that reflected Athenian culture and power dynamics.
- Emphasis on how the amphorae illustrated Athenian identity; while valuable, they were less prized than the oil they contained.
- One example of such an amphora was discovered in an Etruscan tomb in Italy, indicative of trade and cross-cultural interactions.
- Features like drilled holes on the vase suggest careful repair, indicating value and care in preservation.

Introduction of key figures and events:
- Discussed Positronius, an important figure in Athens who contributed to civic structure and water supply infrastructure.
- Mention of the naming convention in Greek families, such as the recurring use of the name Pesistratus.
Pesistratus is acknowledged as a tyrant who held power, leading to discussions around succession:
- His practices included passing power to his son, Hippeus, tying into broader themes of political power in ancient Athens.

Opposition and struggles within the governance of Athens:
- The tensions between family, tyranny, and emerging democratic principles.
- Ordinary Athenians as contrasted with the ruling classes, illustrated through figures like Hipparchus.
Events leading to Hipparchus' assassination by Amaronius, a key turning point in Athen’s leadership dynamic:
- The motivations rooted in personal vendettas highlight interpersonal conflicts shaping political change.

Critical discussions on significant events like the battle at Marathon:
- Despite being outnumbered, the Athenians' strategic approaches led to a monumental victory against the Persian forces.
- Emphasis on the event's implications for Athenian identity and democracy.
The aftermath of Marathon initiated further Persian ambitions, leading to later conflicts under Xerxes:
- Darius’ death and Xerxes' massive expeditions were pivotal in Athenian historical narrative.
- The cultural self-affirmation of Athenians as resistors of an imperial power.

The presentation of Theseus as an icon of Athenian democracy in art:
- Found in the treasury of the Athenians at Delphi, conveying messages of Athenian pride post-battle successes.
Mention of historical monuments that visually commemorate Athenian victories, including artistic advancements in sculpture and pottery:
- Discussion of the techniques involved in bronze sculpture, such as hammering and shaping.
Recognition of artistic responses to historical events, illustrating the deep connections between political events and cultural expression:
- The installation of statues of tyrannicides in public spaces reinforcing their legacies in Athenian society.

Description of the freestanding male statue known as the 'charioteer':
- Attention to details in dress that reflect the athlete's status in Greek culture.
- Comparison with other art pieces, identifying stylistic shifts in Greek sculptural representation.
- Focus on technicalities of materials used in sculpture, such as the peculiar detailing in drapery and other stylistic choices.

A note on how various historical and artistic critiques will continue in subsequent classes:
- Reflection on the link between these individuals and the broader scope of Athenian democratic ideals.
Connection to upcoming examinations and how cultural artifacts and histories will be further analyzed in the context of Athenian identity.