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
What are some important structures and events that happend at Olympia?
776 BCE - First Olympics
Heraion - Temple of Hera
Bouleuterion– council building
Stadium, hippodrome, palaestra, etc.
Prytaneion – Hestia
Eternal flame
Temple of Zeus
Statue of Zeus
What is the temple of Zeus made of? What is special about this?
Chryselephantine = made of ivory and gold
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
What happens at festivals?
Poets, painters, sculptors seeking commissions
Spectators and pilgrims
First competitions – music
Procession
Athlete review
Athletic competitions
What running events happened at the games? what was thought of these events?
Stadion
Foot race 1 stade = the 200 m. sprint
Diaulos (400 m.)
Dolichos (c. 8-9 km.)
Hoplitodromos (400 m. in armor)
Most prestigious (of non-equestrian) events
Listed first among victors
Give name to Olympiad
When were the equestrain events added to the games? What did it consist of? Who had the advandage?
Added in 680 BCE
12 laps (total 14.5 km)
Keles (horseback)
Synoris (two-horse race)
Tethrippon (four-horse race)
Elite race
Owner = winner
396, 392 BCE – Kyniska
Daughter of King Archidamos, sister of Aegesilaos
Heavy Events were included in the games? WHen was wrestling introduced?
Combat sports: boxing, wrestling, pankration
Divisions for boys and men
No weight classes
Strength and endurance
Wrestling (palē) added in 708 BCE (18th Olympiad)
First non-footrace event
“Ground” opponent 3 times or tap out
Referee
When was boxing added to the games? How did it work?
Boxing (pygmē/pygmachia)
Added in 688 BCE (23rd Olympiad)
Brutal and dangerous competition
No points, no scores
Win by knockout or tap out
Focus on blows to head
Skill over brutality
What is Pankration? WHat does it mean? When was it added to the games? What are the rules?
Pankration (“all-power”, “all-victory”)
Added in 648 BCE (33rd Olympiad)
No holds barred
The rules are there are no rules!!!
(Just no biting or eyegouging)
Fight to the ground (unlike wrestlers)
No gloves (unlike boxers) so try to break fingers
Kicking was mocked
Win by knockout or tap out
What are some other notable events that happened at the games?
Pentathlon
Wrestling
Stadion
Long Jump
Javelin
Discus throw
Musical competitions
Vocal and instruments
