SOCSCI 100 ESSAY

Homer’s Iliad
Troy
Archaeology 19th Century
Excavation

Library of Alexandria
Greek and Egyptian scholars
Scrolls (eager for knowledge)

Archimedes (Eureka!)
Principle of Buoyancy – science

Hercules
Series of adventures/conquests to atone for his sins and to shape humanity’s environment

Minotaur
Myths might be used to mirror natural causes by Greeks
Geological processes and mythology are rooted in understanding the world while science uses
measurements and experiments

Olympics
Competition fosters excellence

Byzantine Empire
Medieval-Roman Empire

Prometheus
Progression of civilization
Orpheus
Poetry

Greek tragedies
modern theater

Aristophanes
Father of comedy
Komos – revel
Oide –singing
Addresses common events

Democracy in Athens
Elections are the epitome of democracy
elections are only a small part in Athenian democracy
Direct democracy – encouraged wide participation through the principle of HO BOULOMENOS (anyone
who wishes) could attend the ECCLESIA (a general assembly meeting several times a month)
they have the right to propose a law or bring a public lawsuit (6,000 people)
BOULE – meeting of 500 council members ‘
They are chosen by lot (sortation)
Social and political tension (nobles)
Rather than a privilege, civic participation was the duty of all citizens
Plato believed that this kind of democracy is being anarchic and run by fools
They elect those who think are qualified to legislate on their behalf. Which includes people who are only
wealthy and professional politicians with different interests than their constituents
Should it require specialized knowledge and skills to become a member in your government?
Jury, citizens’ assembly and poll makes you part of the democratic sortation today.

A day in the life of an ancient Athenian

427 BCE (Peloponnesian War)
They attend the Ekklesia (assembly of citizens) to the Agora (civic and commercial heart of the city)
Pnyx sprinkling it with pig’s blood

The Philosophy of Stoicism

Zeno of Cyprus
Stoicism- teachings of virtue, tolerance, and self-control
Stoic –someone who remains calm under pressure, avoids emotional extremes
Stoics believed that everything around us operates according to the web of cause and effect resulting in a
rational structure of the universe (logos)
We can control on how we approach things
Rather that imagining an ideal society, stoics tries to deal with the world as it is while pursuing self-
improvement through the 4 cardinal virtues:
Practical Wisdom –the ability to navigate complex situations in a logical, informed, and calm manner
Temperance –the exercise of self-restraint and moderation in all aspects of life
Justice –treating others with fairness even when they have done wrong
Courage –not just in extraordinary circumstances, but facing daily challenges with clarity and integrity
Seneca –“sometimes even to live is an act of courage”
While Stoicism focuses on personal improvement, it is not a self-centered philosophy.
Seneca calls for humane treatment of others.
Stoicism does not encourage passivity, its idea is that those who have cultivated virtue and self-control
in themselves can bring positive change in others.
Marcus Aurelius , Thomas Aquinas
Stoic Ataraxia parallels with the Buddhist concept of Nirvana
Epictetus (Stoic philosopher) –suffering stems not from the events in our lives, but from our judgements
about them.
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy –focuses on changing the self-defeating attitudes people form
about their life circumstances.
Logotheraphy- we can harness our will power to fill our lives with meaning, even on the bleakest
situations.

Herodotus –Father of History

“Circumstances rule men; men do not rule circumstances.”
The Histories by Herodotus –Ancient Greek writer from 5 th Century BCE (It revolutionized the way the
past was recorded).
Before, the past was documented as a list of events with little or no attempt to explain their causes beyond
accepting it as the will of the gods
Deeper, more rational understanding by looking at both sides to understand both reasons
Persian Wars 499 BCE
Darius 490 BCE
Herodotus collected all their stories because of his creativity and method/approach; first to record the past
through Opsis or eyewitness accounts, Akoe or hearsay, and Ta Legomena or tradition.
He used Gnome or reasons to reach conclusions about what actually happened.
“INQUIRIES”
Autopsy –seeing for oneself
History, right down to the present day, has always suffered from the partiality and mistakes of historians.

Did the Amazons really exist? (equals of men in knowledge and skill)
“Well-behaved women seldom make history.”
Herodotus, Plato, and Strabo
Scythians ride horses and trained to shoot an arrow; harsh landscape and nomadic lifestyle created its own
form of equality.
In a male-dominated classical Greece, the very idea of strong women who gloried in freedom and war
aroused mixed feelings.

Homer’s Odyssey (sequel to Iliad) incur the wrath of the gods – century of myth and history
It is a 12,00-line poem spanning years of Ancient Greek history, myth, and legend.
It is perfomed by oral poets called rhapsodes –stitching together. (existing stories, jokes, myths, and
songs)
It is a repetition of memorized passages or set pieces.
The stories are caused by the people’s hubris –excessive pride in believing themselves superior to the
gods.
Xenia –code of hospitality
“in medias res” -in the middle of things
Periodization is a problem and the wealth of the details it contains
Science behind the Odyssey
Odysseus –Trojan War
Island of Aeaea – the myths might have been fictional expressions of real experiences.
Histort of herbs and drugs in the poem.
Jimson Weed – can cause amnesia, hallucinations, and fantasy from reality.
Mikhail Mashkovsky
Snowdrop –helps in polio and Alzheimer, antidote against poisons
It suggests that ancient stories may have more elements of truth to them than we thought.

Plato’s best and worst ideas

Plato argued that beyond our imperfect world there was a perfect unchanging world of Forms.
Forms –the ideal versions of the things and concepts we see around us; instruction manual to our world.
Reality –imperfect copies of forms.
Should we trust our senses or reason to come to the truth?
Plato argues that it is reason provides the potential to contemplate the Forms.
Ruling was the craft of contemplating the forms.
Plato’s Republic –imagined a utopia where justice is the ultimate goal; harmonious between its indiv parts
and ruled by a philosopher kings.
He believed that society should be divided into three groups: producers, military, and rulers. (NOBLE
LIE) elements are used to determine our roles in life.
Despite his errors, we continue to refine, amend, and edit his ideas which becomes the foundations of the
world.

SPARTA –purpose is to serve Sparta

Ancient Greece –premier warriors
Sparta –most feared warriors in the ancient world
Herodotus, Plutarch, Theodicyces
Spartan boy and girl must be strong, mentally sharp, and emotionally resilient.
Loyalty belonged to Sparta and then family.
Agoge –place where 13 year of training happens.
Diamastogosis
They believe that only strong women could bear children that would become strong and capable warriors.
To die for their city is the completion of one’s duty to Sparta.

Music and Creativity in Ancient Greece

Music to worship, tell stories, exercise, and dance.
Music is important in Greek society.
Human creativity –result of divine inspiration from a group of goddesses called Muses.
Creative pursuits
Hallmarks of civilization
Proficient in all areas of creative pursuits
Planet and stars created songs
Music –basis for understanding the fundamental interconnectedness of all things in the universe.
HARMONIA
Form of medicine
Vital of accompaniment in sports
Music –can affect the person’s ethos –personal ethics
Music that promotes intelligence, self-discipline, and courage.
Anarchy, degradation of youth –music that deviates

2.After watching, write a short essay that answers the following questions:
a. What are the major institutions/activities/ideas that characterized, defined, and organized Greek society
and life? Provide at least three and discuss them briefly.
b. What are the major events/nodal points in Greek history discussed in the videos? Discuss them and
their significance to Greek society and life.
c. What are the roles of myths in Greek society based on the videos? Substantiate your answer through a
discussion of one Greek myth showed in the videos.
d. What are the roles of the arts (e.g. theatre, literature, music) in Greek society and life? Substantiate
your answer through a discussion of one of the Greek arts showed in the videos.