CLST 102 Greek Civilization Test 2 Review PDF

CLST 102 Greek Civilization Test 2 Review Session TAs: Emily Croft, Tessy Waugh, Pungavi Linghan, Joshua Holmes A Court What Concerned the Gods? Who was protected? Suppliants Heralds Strangers Beggars They were protected because they could not rely on the law What an...

CLST 102 Greek Civilization Test 2 Review Session TAs: Emily Croft, Tessy Waugh, Pungavi Linghan, Joshua Holmes A Court What Concerned the Gods? Who was protected? Suppliants Heralds Strangers Beggars They were protected because they could not rely on the law What angered them? Homicide was the biggest thing that concerned the gods It caused severe pollution and threatened the whole community Miasma = pollution ○ Ex: The story of Oedipus, who killed his father and slept with his mother [unknowingly] Sacrifice A performance that represented and renovated the relationship and hierarchy between animals, humans and gods ○ Procedure regulated to distinguish the sacrifice of the victim from an act of violence ○ Usually done at a sanctuary, altar was an essential part Ritual ○ Washed hands, prayers, throw grain over victims, slit their throats, thigh bones wrapped in fat for gods, libation of red wine, gods consumed sacrifice by fire, eat the entrails, divide portions and give to all a fair share In special circumstances, the whole animal was burnt ○ Called Holochaust ○ Done for purification after homicide or for some Greek hero cults ○ Carcass not eaten by participants Purification Before a sacrifice, the place had to be purified ○ Katharma = the purified place Purification needed after: ○ Contact with the dead ○ Homicide ○ Childbirth ○ Sexual Intercourse Private Sacrifice Private individuals could perform sacrifices outside of sanctuaries, especially for their own family Human Sacrifice Not done in real life, only done in myth Banned, seen as savage and inhuman and would cause grave consequences Libations Form of a food and drink offerings Liquid (milk, honey, wine, animal blood) could be poured on altar or on ground for the gods Prayers Asking the gods for a specific request Followed a template: ○ Call god by series of flattering names and titles ○ Remind them of when you gave them sacrifices and offerings before ○ Make request ○ Promise something good for the gods if they grant you your request Supplication Performed by those who were helpless and didn’t have their community to rely on ○ Ex: Foreigners and Strangers ○ Defeated enemies To become a suppliant, required physical contact: ○ Could touch knees or chin of person in superior position ○ Could also touch statue or altar as a proxy Gods not directly involved, just witnesses Was dishonourable to harm a suppliant and would offend Zeus Hikesios the protector of suppliants Greek Sanctuaries Had to have temenos = sanctuary, space cut off from normal use and reserved for cult activity Temples (naos) not necessary, housed cult statues (like the Parthenon) Always needed an altar outdoors for regular cult activity ○ On the Acropolis there were dozens of sanctuaries without a temple building Religion in Practice in Ancient Athens Most civic functions under the patronage of gods ○ Boule [council] - Zeus Boulaios & Artemis Boulaia ○ Agora - Zeus Agoraios & Hermes Agoraios Religion is a form of diplomacy, so religious activities are political in nature No distinction between civic and religious life Phratria [think “frat”] ○ Group of citizens symbolically related to one another and participated in cult activities together ○ Zeus Phratrios, Athena Phratria Panathenaia Month=Hekatombaion First month of the Athenian year, in modern day June and July When the Panathenaia is celebrated Great Panathenaia – big version of festival every 4 years Lesser Panathenaia – smaller version of the festival every year 28th – Goddess Athena’s Birthday ○ Athena is the daughter of Zeus and Metis Birth of Athena Zeus impregnated Metis and swallowed Metis to prevent their child from being born (same prophecy as Kronos, his child will overcome him) Zeus got a headache and made Hephaestus split his head open to relieve the pain Athena sprung out of a hole in Zeus’ head as an adult Panathenaia con’t The celebrations revolved around narratives of Athena – mostly her birth and relationship with the city Purposes: ○ Celebrate/showcase the community of Athens ○ To show appreciation for the goddess Athena Festival Proceedings Procession to the Acropolis and the altar of Athena (most important event) Animal sacrifice at the altar of Athena ○ The people of Attica had a banquet with the meat The city also offered the goddess a large and splendid robe [peplos] woven by a select group of girls The last few days of the festival were contests (athletic, musical, literary) Examples of Contests Musical and Rhapsodic contests Pentathlon Torch relay (Night before the Foot-race of armed warriors procession) Apobates (chariot race, jump out and Chariot-race run to finish line) Foot–race Armed race (pyrrhic dance, it’s a Boxing military contest) Wrestling Pankration (cross between boxing and wrestling, the most difficult and violent of this martial arts) Who could go to the Panathenaia? Male and female citizens Resident aliens (metics) Freed slaves Foreigners (including non-Greeks) Athenian communities overseas and allies of Athens could send sacrificial cows Contest Prizes Amphorae filled with olive oil – similar idea to a modern-day trophy ○ Olive oil was connected to the myth of Athena, and the olive tree is the sacred tree of Athena, so olive oil was used instead of wine ○ On one side of the amphorae was goddess of Athena and the other showed the contest that they won Other prizes were gold crowns, money and food Anthesteria (flower festival) During the month of Anthesterion (Jan-Feb), was a ‘new year festival’ In honour of Dionysos Anthesteria Proceedings ○ First Day: Jar Opening (Pithoigia), open new wine for the first time and thank Dionysus by pouring him libations ○ Second Day: Wine Jugs (Khoes), symbolic procession of the “holy marriage” of Dionysos and the wife of the “king archon.” Drinking contests. First taste of wine for children (at 3 years old, a big milestone!) ○ Third Day: Cooking pots (Khutrai), grains and vegetables are cooked for spirits of dead. To end the festival, they shout “Get out Keres (evil demons), the Anthesteria is over!” Marked the beginning of the agricultural year Myth of Persephone (Kore) Begins with the goddess Demeter and her daughter Kore (not given a name) Kore was given as a wife to Hades by Zeus Demeter refused to return to Olympus because her daughter was kidnapped, so she did not allow crops to produce like they usually would Zeus then asks Hades for Kore to be returned, but she already married Hades and has eaten a pomegranate (symbol of becoming an adult woman) and gotten the name Persephone/Proserpina Compromise: two thirds of year she is with her mother and one third (winter) she will be with Hades (which is when crops don’t grow in the mortal world, because Demeter is sad and does not allow it) Eleusinian Mysteries Festival of Demeter at Eleusis (based around myth of Persephone) According to Athenians, Demeter lived with a local ruler in Eleusis disguised as the nurse of their child when she left Olympus ○ She performed immortality rituals on the child, which freaked the mother out, forcing Demeter to reveal herself as a goddess ○ She decided to give a form of immortality to those that did these rituals she established at Eleusis Mystery cult: only initiates can join, and they could not talk about the rituals to those that were not members Two parts of the mysteries: ○ Smaller Mysteries: Performed in Athens to purify and prepare for Greater Mysteries ○ Greater Mysteries: In Eleusis, with a procession that came from Athens Great Mysteries Messengers went to Greek cities to ask for a truce to allow travel to Eleusis All were invited except for ○ People who couldn’t speak Greek ○ People under trial for homicide ○ The ritually impure Some examples of pre-procession rituals ○ Bath in the sea ○ Sacrifice of a piglet During the procession participants carried myrtle branches, walking sticks, and a sack After the procession there would be a period of fasting for a few days to prepare for the secret part of the festival Great Mysteries Cont. In the night only initiates were allowed in the sanctuary Rituals would be dramatic reenactments of the Persephone myth ○ Not an explanation of the myth but rather an emotional experience Epoptes: ‘one who sees” ○ An initiate was called this after first stage of initiation Telesterion: indoor hall where final ceremony would take place Connected to agriculture and the crop cycle, but also hope of a better afterlife due to their connection to Demeter through this cult This mystery cult promised something for after your death, it promised individual salvation Apatouria Major festival of the Phratries (a symbolic kinship group connected by religious practices) All Athenian citizens were members of a Phratry Lasted 3 days, it was a rite of passage ○ 3rd day - Koureotis (Day of Youths/Hair-cutting): presentation of new members to the phratry (children and new brides). ○ Libations for dead members of the group ○ Boys entering adulthood would have their hair cut Also had athletic and intellectual contests for children This festival focused on the continuity of the group [generations to come] Deme Festivals Demos (pl. Demoi) ○ ‘The people’ - Athenian citizens ○ ‘Deme’ - village community in Attica, administrative district of the Athenian state These were public festivals that were held by the Demoi Similar to rituals of cities, but also festivals of cults of the local communities Competition in Ancient Greece Agon - competition ○ For the public eye to witness 2 main types of people that one would compete with ○ Friends (philoi): there for support/help those close to the individual ○ Enemies (ekhthroi): those who would harm you and have harmed you in the past, you would expect to seek revenge The public eye would measure individual and community success ○ The perceptions of others is the most important Life was regulated by honour and shame, and thus success and failure ○ Time - honour, public acclaim, respect ○ Philotimia - love of honour, ambition ○ Atimia - dishonour Story of Ajax (Aias) - killed himself out of shame due to his conduct ○ Ajax and Odysseus speak publicly on who gets Achilles’ armour, Odysseus wins, Ajax goes mad and makes a fool of himself, then commits suicide (bad competition) Athletics and Other Competitions Competition expressed in an acceptable and positive way ○ Has set of rules set by the community, regulated by judges and umpires Could include Athletics but also poetry, music, and dance Sports and festivals - festivals are happy events with release of competitive tension with food and drink ○ This was a way to get rid of any grudges or potential “bad blood” with your competitor Strigil - important tool in athletics ○ Used to scrape off mixture of oil, sweat, and dirt on body after physical activity The Pan-Hellenic Games Open to Greeks from all over Greek world (not just Athenians) Participating states were not supposed to wage war during the games Locations ○ Olympia - associated with Zeus ○ Nemea - associated with Zeus ○ Delphi - associated with Apollo ○ Isthmus at Corinth - associated with Poseidon Runs on four-year cycle (Periodos) ○ Isthmian Games and Olympic Games ○ Nemean Games ○ Isthmian Games and Pythian Games ○ Nemean Games Those that excel become celebrities ○ Kroton ○ Milon Alkibiades vs Hesiod: Thoughts on Competitiveness Alkibiades ○ Ambition brings honour to the greater community ○ If others envy you, it is proof of your success Remember, Alkibiades was a show-off, a young and fit Olympian athlete. Makes sense that he thought this way Hesiod, Works and Days ○ More realistic take on competition and envy ○ 2 main types of competition, a bad one that brings war and strife [Greek term “Eris”] while the other is a good one that is kinder to men and inspires/motivates people to do better Ostracism Once a year citizens are asked to vote if they wanted an ostracism, needing a simple majority to proceed Voted on 2 months later by writing name of the person to exile on an ostrakon (pot sherd). 6000 people had to vote for it to be valid ○ The man with the most votes would be exiled for 10 years ○ He would not lose status or property during this time It was a way to channel envy, and makes sure that people do not become too powerful in society Enemies and War Ekhthroi - personal enemies Polemioi - war enemies If two cities are at war, then personal rivalries are put aside as private enemies became comrades in war due to common interest in protecting the city Xenia ○ A guest friendship ○ A friend from another city, and friendship would go on for generations and looked over by the gods ○ In war it was expected that one would be loyal to their city, and treat a ‘guest friend’ as their enemy, but this was not always the case Self-Control vs Hubris Hubris - Intentionally dishonouring behavior ○ Frequently associated with use of violence ○ There are set limits in competition and set limits within society Sophrosune - self-control, moderation, modesty, acknowledgement of one’s limitations Sophron - a self-controlled person Two maxims: ○ “know yourself” ○ “nothing in excess” ○ Both inscribed at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi Symposion Symposion: “drinking together” A male aristocratic activity ○ Women present as entertainers Krater - vessel used to mix water and wine Symposiarch - the master of drinking chosen by rolling dice ○ In charge of the wine to water ratio, how much is served, and topics discussed Symposiasts - other participants at the event Kottabos ○ A popular symposium game where the last drops of wine in one’s cup were flung at a disc, in order to knock it down Aim of symposions were not to get drunk, it was a test of self-control and sociability among peers Eg. Decoration of cups with Satyr eyes Population of Athens Different groups: Men ○ Male citizens above the age of 18 are politically active ○ Between 18-39 serve in the army and fleet each year Women Children Metics (Resident aliens) ○ Residents but not citizens ○ Expected to fight in the army but couldn’t vote Freed Slaves ○ If they stayed in Athens they would be considered metics Slaves Population of Athens Cont. Citizen’s obligations ○ Attending the ekklesia (assembly) every 10 days ○ Each year 6000 citizens were drawn to serve as jurors in population courts ○ Expected to be landowners, but were not penalized if they did not own land Athenians considered themselves autochthonous = “sprung from the soil” ○ They believed were the original inhabitants of the land Perikles’ citizenship law, 451 BCE: ○ Only men whose parents were both Athenian citizens qualify as citizens Oikos = ‘Household’ (plur. Oikoi) Members of the oikos/household included: ○ The Kurios (plur. Kurioi) = “master”; the senior male His responsibility was to pass the property to the next generation Legal representative and controlled the property ○ Kureia = protection, tutelage ○ Kins (minor sons and women) ○ Slaves Legitimacy and transfer of property ○ Lots of court cases ○ Cases based on questioning citizenship Epikleros - if there were no males, the only female heir to an oikos, Problems of property inheritance In ideal circumstances, the property passed to the sons who inherited an equal share ○ If the kurios died before his son(s) were 18, guardians were appointed until they came of age Citizens without sons could: ○ Adopt a relative as his son ○ Leave a will ○ Not leave a will Magistrate made sure the heiress (epikleros) got married to the nearest relative ○ If already married might be forced to divorce Marriage Main purpose of marriage was to produce the next generation of Athenian citizens and create legitimate children (heirs) Was really a contract between two oikoi and their kurioi Official formula ○ “I give you this woman for the plowing of legitimate children” Marrying age of girls was 15/16 whereas for men it was around 30 Wife brought her dowry to her husband’s house ○ Dowry was passed down to the children ○ Not directly controlled by husband Divorce Could be initiated by either spouse but it was easier for the husband - he sent his wife back to her family Wife had to go to the eponymous archon and produce evidence of bad behaviour of her husband Divorce was mandatory in cases where the wife cheated on the husband ○ It was mandatory because it created possible problems about legitimate/illegitimate children and claims to inheritance (lots of court cases!) ○ If a wife cheated and the man she was sleeping with was caught in the act, he could be killed The husband could have sex with prostitutes and concubines Concubines = pallakai Had a permanent or at least long-term relationship with a man with whom they were not legally married. In 5th century Athens, their children were free, but not citizens and didn’t inherit from the family Prostitutes = pornai Slaves or free women, usually not Athenian by birth. Worked for money in brothels, homes, and other venues Courtesans = hetairai Educated and sophisticated women whose clients were the Athenian elite and who could become wealthy and to a certain degree respected ○ Eg. Aspasia, Perkles’ companion, rumoured to advise him on political decisions Separate Spaces? IDEALLY, free women were not expected to leave the house except for religious festivals, funerals and other events - their connection with the outside world was to be through slaves ○ REALISTICALLY, many women had to work outside the home and perform tasks otherwise reserved for slaves ○ Space outside of the home was supposed to be reserved for male activities (war, athletics, justice, politics) Non-related males could enter the house only if the kurios was present and if they were invited inside Household Activities of Women Food preparation and storage Textile production Administration of resources Supervision of slaves (both male and female slaves) Housekeeping Upbringing of children ○ High rates of child mortality Women working out of the home ○ Fetching water from public fountains Ancient Greek Sexuality Survival of the oikos very important - pressure on the male and female members of the oikos to marry and produce legitimate children BUT sexuality in Ancient Greece was very complex Sexuality wasn’t established at birth: males and females were seen as similar beings when they were children ○ Only with puberty do they become different groups ○ For males, this was a slow change from their original ‘feminine’ status. Only complete when they were fully adult and political active ‘Pederasty’ - (the love of boys) Males of different age classes were not seen as identical in gender Their age dictated their role in the pederastic relationship ○ Older male = ‘erastes’ = ‘the lover’: man in their 20s-30s ○ Younger male = ‘eromenos’ = ‘the beloved’: below 18-20 Not a homosexual relationship because it was not an equal relationship Relationship would end when the younger boy came of age, and so became fully a man Shameful to exchange money The pederastic relationship was more than physical, the erastes (the lover) had a mentor position ○ Played a very educational role in the coming-of-age process Mythical models of Pederasty Achilles and Patroklos ○ Later periods (when pederasty prevalent in society), their relationship was thought to be a case of pederasty Zeus and Ganymede ○ Zeus falls in love with a young boy named Ganymede ○ He abducts him and brings him to Olympus so he can act as a cup-bearer for the gods ○ Very big gap in age and status Education in Ancient Athens Xenophon: if parents find a competent teacher, they pay to send their son to them ○ Education was NOT public Education was a private affair and arranged by parents based on their means and expectations for their child Three main fields: ○ Basic literacy ○ Music ○ Physical education Literacy Most went to the grammatistes = the elementary teacher who taught basic literacy ○ Had to be literate to fully participate in democracy Grammata = the letters of the alphabet Reading works of the greats ○ Plato: after a boy learns his letters, he reads the works of the great poets and memorizes them by heart, here he finds good advice and can model himself on them ○ Memorization was very important because it was part of adult life (ex: had to memorize speeches for court) Dance Was a mixture of music and physical activity Important to know as: ○ Symposium ended in khoros = dance/chorus ○ Warriors danced together to improve their synchronization on the battlefield ○ Boxers danced to improve their agility Physical Education Paidotribes: sport trainer Gymnasion = gymnastic school (both public and private) Palaistra (wrestling school) Education of Girls Women didn’t really go to school, some did though [social status element] ○ Girls from poor families only received basic literacy and went to work ○ In upper class families, it was normal that the female members received a good education If written sources are believed, would seem that girls didn’t go to school at all BUT there are images of women reading long scrolls of text, records of women attending philosophical schools and becoming philosophers There are also depictions of girls partaking in physical education (like dancing, swimming, and exercise) Girls would need to be literate to effectively administer their households Higher Education Sophists = “sage” or “wise man” ○ Teachers that specialized in rhetoric (the art of speaking and persuasion) ○ Not members of a “school” ○ Claimed to teach “arete” = excellence One of the most famous sophists was Gorgias from Leontinoi ○ He was famous for his ability to speak and defend any subject Socrates NOT a Sophist He was a professional educator Known for the Socratic Method ○ Reducing people to a state of confusion and helping them recognizing the truth by a process of questioning ○ It was because of this that he was charged and condemned to death for impiety and corruption of the youth Not very well-liked anywhere, noted by Aristophanes in his play Clouds: ○ Made fun of Socrates ○ Plot: Strepsiades (who is in debt) sends his son Pheidippides to the school of Socrates (The Thinkery) and getting false education, making him a bad person and forcing his father to burn The Thinkery down The Academy and the Lyceum Schools of higher education The Academy was founded by Plato, the Lyceum was founded by Aristotle, the former student of Plato The Academy was the first educational institution with permanent facilities, an integrated curriculum and a headmaster Agriculture and Society Most Athenians were owners of land, usually small fields The goal of agriculture was to provide economic self-sufficiency Athenian citizens exported goods, mainly olive oil, their biggest and most profitable export Wealth derived from land is the most honourable, not from craft trades Silver Mining While agricultural work involved small fields and manufacturing work involved small workshops, silver mining was industrial, and required many workers Most famous silver mines were at Laureion ○ They were public but leased to wealthy private entrepreneurs who sublet areas of the mines to contractors ○ Slave-operated Silver used for coins, high risk of counterfeit Feeding Athens, the Piraeus Athens relied heavily on the export of olive oil and so a lot of their land was given over to growing olive trees Need to import grain to feed the population ○ Athenians passed laws to encourage traders to bring grain to city There was an import-export tax of 2% at the Athenian port of Piraeus ○ Very small tax to not discourage traders Slavery Roles of slave labour: ○ Agriculture ○ Mining ○ Large-scale workshops ○ Housekeepers ○ Educators/caregivers for children Public slaves worked in places such as the Agora as policemen or secretaries because they had no personal bias and could they remain neutral Slaves were mostly foreigners Metoikos=Metic Freed slaves and non-Athenian Greeks or foreigners who were in Athens for a month had to register as metics Had to pay monthly tax and have patron (prostates) Metics were not full citizens and could not own property ○ They could serve in the army, appear in court, take part in festivals, and could be very wealthy Foreigners and Religion: the Thracian cult of Bendis Due to the many Thracian slaves and Metics present in Athens, the cult of Bendis became an accepted city cult