Lecture 13 Flashcards
1
Q
Archaic Period
A
- ca. 800-480 BCE
- foundation of Poleis: city-states each individually governed
- colonies abroad
- introduction of Greek alphabet
- had linear A and B writing previously but no literature
- new sophistication in material culture
- stories of the gods written for the first time (Hesiod, Homer, Homeric Hymns)
2
Q
Classical Period
A
- ca. 480-323 BCE
- Persian wars-death of Alexander
- Often considered apex of ancient Greek culture
- City-state of Athens dominant
- Production of literature, architecture, art, drama
- Age of democracy, philosophy
3
Q
Persian Wars
A
- wars between Greece and the Persian empire to the East
- Persians seen as very different from the Greeks
4
Q
First Persian Invasion
A
- city of Marathon
- 26 miles from Athens
- somehow the Athens hold them off.
5
Q
Second Persian Invasion
A
- Allied Greek Poleis, led by Athens and Sparta
- Defeat of Persia, continued alliance of the Poleis
- Athens will use this alliance to control the Greek world
6
Q
Athens takes over alliance
A
- Sparta focused on land power (military and fighting)
- Athens is focused on commerce and diplomacy because of their large navy.
- helpful in going out to establish relationships and travel
- So they say to the other city-states hey you should pay us and we’ll keep you safe, so they do
7
Q
Classical Athens
A
- defeat of Persia fosters new belief in human capabilities
- new interest in human potential, relationship of human and divine
- what can humans accomplish
- how man can rise up to be something great
- individual excellence
- gods become an interest in how they reflect on man instead of the other way around
- first clearly see instance of evidence for questioning gods existence
- flourishing of art, architecture, literature, politics, philosophy, science, drama
- large amounts of wealth gathered from taxes paid by other Poleis
8
Q
Greek theater
A
- Classical period
- Centered at Athens
- Religious
- Musical
- Competitive (agon: competition)
- Tragedy vs. comedy
9
Q
Tragedy
A
- comes from word meaning “goat song” (?)
- origins in 6th century
- continued long tradition of song and myth
- 2 or 3 actors, 12 or 15 chorus members
- Themes: mythology (most common) or history
- Didactic: teaches a lesson, has a moral we should take away
10
Q
Comedy
A
- Komodia=”song to do with a komos (group revelry)”
- Origin in early 5th century
- 3 actors, 24 chorus-members
11
Q
The Tragedians
A
- Aeschylus: 92 plays, 7 survive
- Sophocles: 120, 7 survive
- Euripides: 88 plays, 18 survive
12
Q
The Comedian
A
-Aristophanes: 11 plays survive
13
Q
Satyr Drama
A
- Satyr Plays accompany tragedies
- Several actors + chorus
- Featured satyrs, companions of Dionysus
- Themes mythological; action was bawdy, obscene
- Stories often tragic, but presented ridiculously
14
Q
City Dionysia: Major Dramatic Festival
A
- Festival honoring Dionysus, held in late March at Athens
- Day 1: pompe (procession), music and poetry competitions, sacrifices, feast, komos
- Day 2: announcement of titles; selection of judges
- Day 3-5: performance of tragedies by three playwrights (4 plays each-3 tragedies and 1 satyr play)
- Day 6: performance of comedies by five playwrights (1 play each)
- Day 7: announcement of victors, celebration, pompe
15
Q
Masks
A
- affected performance
- very exaggerated and loud
- much different from modern acting
