HELLENISTIC GREECE
Greek Golden Age- Represented largely by Athens
Arts
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400’s BCE known as Greek Golden age. Advancements in Architecture, painting, sculpture, and
art were prevalent
Architecture
Athenian Greeks surrounded themselves with beauty.
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Built and designed lavish temples, gymnasiums, and theaters
Acropolis: high hill at center of original city-state.
o Offered a perfect setting for special artistic creations
o Gate at the base marked entrance to path up hill
o Bronze statue of Goddess Athena found at base of acropolis
Parthenon: white marble temple built at top of Acropolis in honor of Goddess Athena
o Parthenon seen as perfect example of Greek architecture: balanced proportions, length
to width and height
o Columns were prevalent in Greek architecture; seen in design of Parthenon
Painting
Painting in Ancient Greece portrayed mythological scenes, and everyday life.
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Graceful, natural movements of the subject was emphasized
Initially painted pictures of animals (Egyptian influence); later moved to human figures
Sculpture
Originally very stiff (Egyptian influence) and unnatural, Greek sculpture began a wave of change during
the 400’s BCE
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Myron and Phidias were two of Greek History’s greatest sculptures.
o Myron: Discus thrower (famous sculpture pg. 132)
o Phidias: Statues of Athena that decorated the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens
 Phideas’ greatest work: Statue of Zeus at the Temple of Olympia (considered
one of the Seven Wonders of the World in ancient times)
o Praxiteles: lifelike, natural in form and size. Expressed Greek admiration for the beauty
of the human body.
Greek art/architecture/sculpture can be summarized by 4 themes
1. Greek art glorified human beings
- Detailed sculptures/paintings of athletes, warriors, citizens
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Golden Age art symbolized Greeks’ pride in their city’states.
Architecture was a tribute to the power of the city-state
Greek art expressed belief in harmony, balance, order, and moderation
Art expressed belief in combining beauty and usefulness
GREEK PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy- The study of basic questions of reality and human existence. Philosophy was used by the
Greeks to better understand themselves and the world around them.
Philosopher meant “lover of wisdom”
Socrates
According to Socratic thought:
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Education was key to personal growth
Students must be trained to think for themselves
Asked questions that forced students to test their own values and ideas (Socratic Method)
Criticized Democracy “unskilled people should not hold any position of power”
Mocked Sophist teachings
Socrates’ enemies accused him of denying the existence of many Greek Gods. At a trial, Socrates did
little do defend himself; refusing to deny his teachings.
Plato
Plato was a young Athenian Aristocrat at the time of Socrates’ death; was the greatest of Socrates’
students.
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Founded the Academy, special school in Athens for teaching Philosophy
Wrote dialogues, or imaginary discussions among several people (many had Socrates in them)
Dealt with topics such as education, government, justice, and religion
“Theory of Forms”- all material things were imperfect expressions of perfect and universal
ideas, known as forms. Perfection cannot be reached in the perfect world,
o Human senses can be fooled; philosophers should pursue knowledge of perfect form
that lay beyond the senses. EX: ideal geometrical shape can only be done with
mathematical formula
Plato’s perfect form of government: Aristocracy. However, this was different than aristocracies
seen in Greece
o Ideal rulers were philosophers who had great wisdom, morals, and ability
Aristotle
Aristotle was a bright student of Plato’s Academy who founded his own school in Athens in 335 BCE.
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Aristotle believed every field of knowledge needed to be studied logically
Studied science, biology, poetics, ethics, and politics
Politically; Aristotle believed that monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy were equally viable
governmental options. Problem: All three could easily be corrupted. Solution: Limited Democracy
Greek Mathematical/ Medical/ Scientific Advancements
Pythagoras- Philosopher who believed everything could be explained via mathematics.
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Developed Pythagorean theorem: a2+b2=c2
Greek approach to scientific thought differed greatly than did Egyptian or Mesopotamian thought in that
Greeks believed that the natural world could be explained by natural laws, and that rules that govern
are universe are identified, observed, and defined.
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Objectivity, reason were relied on as opposed to superstition
Hippocrates- founder of medical science. Wrote between 60-70 medical works, based on observation,
experimentation, and experience.
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Taught that disease is not a punishment of the Gods; is naturally occurring
Rest, fresh air, diet are crucial to health
Hippocratic Oath: ethical code that doctors still take today
History/Theater
The Greeks were the first people to take written history seriously.
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Herodotus was the first historian of the Western world; often called the Father of History
o Traveled Babylonia, Egypt, Phoenicia, recording historic events
Thucydides- famous for history of the Peloponnesian War
Greek theatre can be divided into three categories: Dramas, Tragedies, Comedies
Dramas- plays containing action or dialogue and involving conflict and emotion
Tragedies- main character struggles against fate, events, or outside forces that defeat the main
character. (Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus all famous Tragedy writers)
Comedies- tragic and humorous figures, made fun of people and of ideas. (Aristophanes was a very
famous Comedic writer; poked fun at Socrates)