6. Panhellenism and the Greek Culture Identity Flashcards
When was the Greek alphabet created and what were its consequences?
c. 800 BCE Developed from Phoenician Consequences of the alphabet Widespread literacy Intellectual Revolution Development of literature and genres
What was religion like at this time?
Some gods continued from Mycenaean Greece
Others adopted from Near East, Egypt, etc.
Ex. Aphrodite – possible import from Near East (Ishtar)
Polytheism
Anthropomorphism
Religious ritual
Prayers, sacrifices, processions, music, dancing, festivals
Religion bound up in civic identity
Formal, ritualistic, communal
Varied ideas about the gods
What is theology? Who was the first to use this?
Tales of creation and the gods told by poets
Stories as explanations of their world
Create patterns for society
Hesiod
First to systematically explain origins (that we know of)
Who wrote Theogony?How was it different from views of the past?
Hesiod “Genealogy of the gods” Panhellenic view of the gods and universe Not the Greek theology Advances of the Archaic Period Elements considered common knowledge
What was the structure of Theogony? What poetry styles did it incorporate?
Structure – Myths of Succession
From Chaos to the castration (rule of Ouranos/Heaven)
Rule of Kronos/Saturn
Rule of Zeus/Jupiter
Oral poetry styles
Hymns
Catalogues
Dramatic tales
Did the Greeks believe that the Olympians created the universe? who were some of the notable patron gods/goddesses and their temples? How did they honour the gods?
Olympians not creators of the universe
Worshipped for their power to help and harm
Patron gods/goddesses
E.g., Zeus at Olympia
Aphrodite at Corinth
Apollo at Delphi
Honour the gods to keep their favour
Prayers, sacrifices
Temples, sanctuaries
Did the Greeks believe that the Olympians created the universe? who were some of the notable patron gods/goddesses and their temples? How did they honour the gods?
Olympians not creators of the universe
Worshipped for their power to help and harm
Patron gods/goddesses
E.g., Zeus at Olympia
Aphrodite at Corinth
Apollo at Delphi
Honour the gods to keep their favour
Prayers, sacrifices
Temples, sanctuaries
What were some temples throughout history and some notable events that occured between 750-700 (2)?
Mycenaean period - megaron
Archaic Age – civic temples
Construction organized by the community
naos – dwelling
House for the god(s)
c. 750-700 BCE – hekatompeda
(‘hundred footers’)
700 BCE – explosion of temple building
Less emphasis on grave goods
Elites honouring gods and finding recognition during lifetime
When did PanHellenic sanctuaries increase in popularity? What was it used for?
Interstate sanctuaries
Increased in popularity c. 7th-6th c. BCE
Displays of wealth and success by poleis
Trophies and Treasuries E.g. Treasury of the Athenians, Delph
Who were the Amphictyony?
Amphictyony (’league of neighbours’)
Maintain an protect a sanctuary
Political influence
Punish members who broke rules
What were notable Panhellenic sanctuary in Delphi? What else could be found in Delphi?
Important Panhellenic sanctuary
Honouring the god Apollo
Center of the world
Eagles sent by Zeus
Omphalos stone – bellybutton of the earth
Temples, treasuries, theatre, stadium
Who did the Oracle of Delphi deliver messages for? what was 3 things that would occur? What literature mentions the Oracle of Delphi?
Apollo – prophecy, oracles
Oracle at Delphi (c. 800 BCE – 394 CE)
- pay and ask priest
- Pythia raves
- priest “interprets” the message
Ambiguous responses in verse
Herodotus – King Croesus of Lydia -Persian invasion in 480 BCE
What is the timeline for the Panhellenic Games?
776 BCE – Olympic Games established
582 BCE – athletic contests added to Pythian Games
581 BCE – Isthmian Games established
573 BCE – Nemean Games established
What does periodos and periodonikes mean?
Cycle of games – periodos;
winner – periodonikes
What was the importance of the Panhellnic Games?
‘Greek-ness’
Spirit of friendly competition
Rivalry, competition
Importance of victory
agones → ‘agnostic’, ‘antagonist’
Aristocratic athletes
Religious celebrations
