Exploring Ancient Greek Mythology

Greek Mythology

• Ancient Greeks worshipped numerous gods and goddesses.
• They believed in 12 gods who resided on Mount Olympus.
• Zeus was the king of all gods, known for great strength and wisdom.
• Ancient Greek heroes were often portrayed as half-gods and half-men.

Literature and Drama

• Greek myths provided European literature and drama with abundant themes.
• Examples include "The Iliad," "The Odyssey" by Homer, "Oedipus Rex", and "The Prometheus".

Languages

• Many modern English words have roots in Greek myths.
• Examples: chaos, hygiene, and music (related to Greek gods).

The Olympic Games

• Held to honor Zeus.
• The first Olympic game took place in Athens in 1896, now taking place every four years.

Philosophy

• Philosophy: the love of wisdom.
• Ancient Greek thinkers explored various facets of life.
• Politics: how to govern a city-state.
• Morality: how to uphold high moral values.
• The universe.
• Rational argument was used to find answers, giving rise to Western philosophy.
• Socrates studied Morality.
• Plato studied Politics.
• Aristotle studied Politics and natural sciences.
• The three above are known as the "three Greek sages of philosophy".

Sculpture (Ancient Greece)

• Statues were crafted from bronze and marble.
• Common themes included worship activities, myths, and athletes.
• Greek sculptures showed the ideal proportion of the human body.
• They possessed lifelike personality and body movements.
• Ancient Rome sculpture style was relatively realistic.
• They displayed real images of mortals.

Architecture (Ancient Greece)

• Utilized tall stone columns.
• Featured beautiful patterns included The Doric order, Ionic order, and Corinthian order.

Architecture (Ancient Rome)

• Had the cities connected by huge road networks linking Rome and other provinces.
• Had good water supply.
• Their sewerage system was supported by the construction of aqueducts and pipelines.
• Roman forums were open spaces between buildings used for political, religious and commercial activities.

Europe Enters Medieval Times

• The fall of the Western Roman Empire marked the end of ancient times.
• Europe entered Medieval Times, ending after the Eastern Roman Empire fell in AD 1453.
• Early Medieval Times saw in frequent wars in Western Europe.
• The classical civilization declined, introducing the feudal system.
• Christianity further spread, leading to the formation of feudal society and Christendom.
• The Dark Ages, or Early Medieval times, saw European civilization start to develop again.

Rise of the Feudal System

• Western Europe divided into different Kingdoms.
• Kings strengthened their rule by giving land to nobles to gain their loyalty.
• The feudal system spread during AD800-1400.

Formation of Feudal Society

• Overlords gave land and protection in exchange for loyalty and services from vassals.
• This formed a hereditary system.

Characteristics of Feudal Society

• Rigid class structure: The Medieval European Society had a hierarchy.
• There were four classes: King, upper nobles, Knights, and Peasants.
• Overlords and vassals had a contractual relationship.
• Social mobility was low.

The Feudal System Social Structure

• The King gave land to the upper nobles
• The King expects loyalty from them to fight for them
• The Upper Nobles gave Land to Knights who served the King.
• The Knights allow the peasants to farm and live on their manors.
• The Nobles provide protection.

Hereditary System

• The system help maintain power and wealth of ruling class
• After death, Their titles and lands gets passed to their heirs
• Similarly, Peasants pass their right to use the land to their heirs

Manorial System

• The manorial system helps overlords mange lands
• built castles and houses as residence
• The manor's economy was self-sufficient

Local Nobles

• Lords are hereditary rulers of lands.
• Local nobles have strong power.

Knights and Chivalry

• Knights: professional cavalry (騎兵)
• Knighthood is a honorary title
• Knights follow rules of chivalry (馬騎士精神)
• Knights show loyalty, bravery, diligence as some examples that knights follow, protecting the weak and selfless sacrifice.
• Knights show moral behaviors and duties of knights and Chivalry.

Contractual Spirit and Constitution

• In 1215, English nobles dissatisfied their King and forced the King to sign Magna Carta to protect their rights.
• Magna Carta states that the King should respect the rights of his people, and the people will obey him.
• Magna Carta is the forerunner of modern constitutions.

Rise of Towns

• a craftsman and merchants started to live outside the manors to provide services that give trade
• Old towns revived and new towns developed.
• Towns were owned by feudal lords.
• Towns people still pay taxes.
• Social status of townspeople depended on wealth than birth
• Merchants pay to get a charter from their lords.
• have a certain amount of autonomy(自主權) for electing mayors and setting up courts.
• Life in towns freed Europeans from feudal society, it made more Europeans go live there
• The towns were an important stage in European urbanization at the time
• Medieval craftsmen and merchants had greater influence in towns

Rise of Universities

• Education was strictly controlled by the Church during early Medieval times was strictly controlled by the Church.
• Townspeople pursued knowledge other than religious aspect.
• Universities served as a symbol of higher education.
• Universities taught Mathematics, Geometry, music, astronomy, logic, rhetoric, and grammar.