The Rise of Ancient Greece
Religion, Philosophy, and the Arts with Drew G.
The Athenian Leader, Pericles
Pericles was apart of a aristocrat family but still supported democracy. Around 460 B.C., Pericles was the leader of a democratic group. He introduced reforms that strengthened democracy. The most important change was to have the city pay a salary to its officials. This meant that poor citizens could afford to hold public offices. Pericles accomplishments over time made these years Athens best years, otherwise known as The Golden Ages.
The Parthenon
The Golden Age of Athens is represented by the Parthenon because this was one of Pericles greatest accomplishments during the Golden Age of Athens. The Parthenon was built to honor the goddess Athena.
Some Athenian Coins
Athens grew rich in money during The Golden Age from trade and from silver mined by slaves in regions around the city. Tributes, or payments made to Athens by its allies, added to its wealth of money in this Golden Age.
Democracy
Democracy reached its high point in the Golden Ages. Reforms were introduced to Democracy that strengthened it. The most important change was to have the city pay a salary to its officials.
The Almighty Gods of Greece
Greek Gods and their influence on others
The gods had human forms, and they also had human characteristics. However Gods were immortal, which means they lived forever. These gods also had awesome power. The Greeks honored their gods by having each city-state honor one of the twelve gods, in part by building a temple for that god. Zeus however, was the king of the gods. Zeus not only controlled the gods, but also controlled humanity. Zeus may be known best by little kids as the guy who through lightning bolts at things, but kids, there is plenty more to Zeus than just lightning bolts.
Think Away! We must find knowledge
Ancient Greek Philosophy
Philosophers believed that people could use the powers of the mind and reason to understand natural events, which changed the thinking of Ancient Greeks.
Socrates
Socrates wanted people to consider the true meaning of qualities such as justice and courage. To do this, he asked questions that made others think about their beliefs. Sometimes they got angry because Socrates showed them they didn't know what they were talking about.
Plato and Aristotle
They both went on to found schools where they taught others their beliefs. Plato was the student of Socrates and much of what we know on Socrates comes from Plato. Plato's student was Aristotle. Aristotle believed that reason should guide the pursuit of knowledge
Visual and Dramatic Arts
Ancient Greek Playwrights
Playwrights are people who write plays. The Ancient Greeks are also known for the first playwrights. Playwrights played a major contribution to Greek plays because without playwrights, you can't do any plays.
Ancient Greek Tragedy Plays
A tragedy in a play is a serious story that usually ends in disaster for the main character.Often, tragedies told of fictional humans who ere destroyed when forced to make impossible choices. A Greek tragedy consisted of several scenes that featured the characters of the story.
Ancient Greek Comedy
In Athens, poets wrote comedies that made fun of well-known citizens and politicians and also made jokes of the customs on that days. The Athenians accepted the humor and jokes because of their freedom.
The Parthenon
The Parthenon brought Greek to its highest point. This was the builders most magnificent work. The Parthenon was made of fine marble. There were plenty more great designs to the Parthenon, but the people thought of the Parthenon as the next great thing that would keep them in the Golden Age longer, which it did. The Parthenon played a major significance in the hearts of the Greeks.
An Every day thing
Greeks used visual and dramatic arts every day of their lives. Every day the Greeks were trying to build something to keep the great Golden Age going. Everyday they used comedy to their advantage by having a comedy almost every day. They used all of these arts to create the Golden Age for the Greeks and they used these arts to become successful in life for whatever they did. Point is, these arts made the Greeks an accomplished group of people
What I liked most about the history of Greece
What I liked most about the history of Greece was how cool and old fashioned things were back then. I know today we have all these electronics and gadgets and stuff, but they had none of that back then. It felt good to see that I shouldn't really be asking for more when I should be asking for less. Life wasn't easy for them, and that's not fair. This lesson taught me a true life lesson.