Athens/Socrates Pre-Trial Quiz Flashcards
Public Piety and Why it “protects the polis”
- Festivals were a vital form of “public piety” which as it protects tradition and builds community
- Attending these events protects the polis as neglecting them could lead to hubris and nemesis.
Hubris + Nemesis
Hubris - The worst possible crime where someone would imagine themselves as great as a god.
Nemesis - Hubris would lead to nemesis, where a god would strike down the individual, and tragedies would follow.
Cosmos of daemons, mantis
Daemons - The Greeks believed in a world full of daemons (divine beings), consulting Mantis (a kind of prophet or oracle) to learn their fate.
Importance of Panathenian Festival
Celebrated the birthday of Athena.
IMPORTANCE: It was important to the Athenians as they sacrificed at many temples and held athletic competitions in honor of the goddess
Importance of Dionysian Festival
3 day festival famous for its theatrical competitions.
IMPORTANCE: Sophocles first presented his play Antigone during this festival.
Importance of Eleusinian Mysteries
Closed off cults that celebrated the goddess Demeter and kept their ideas and beliefs secretive and held festivals in honor of these mysteries.
IMPORTANCE: ???
Sophists
- wise, private teachers who specialized in public speaking (and being able to win an argument)
-elites only
Sophists Teachings (Agnosticism, Subjectivism)
Agnosticism - the belief that it is not known that gods exist. It was a turning point as it contrasted traditional beliefs.
Subjectivism - the idea of moral realism: there is no absolute standard of truth + religion.
Why were the Sophists suspicious/problematic to some Athenians
- challenged traditional beliefs and societal norms via:
- being skeptical of religion: scientific theories > religion
- their rational thinking
- rhetoric beliefs (art of persuasion)
Sophist Protagoras
- A famous sophist who believed humans are the measure of all.
- He expressed views about the nature of truth and morality - following these ideas of subjectivism that outraged many.
Causes of Peloponnesian War (for both Athens and Sparta)
Athens: - Their agressive democratic reforms which Sparta always opposed + their control of the Delian League
Sparta: Opposed to Athenian expansion as it is a threat to their security.
4 phases of Peloponnesian War
(main ideas/events of each)
Pericles’ War:
- Pericles convinces Athens into going to war believing that giving into Sparta would be like choosing slavery
- Hoplites created a defensive wall around Athens; focusing on avoiding land battles
- HOWEVER, Plague struck Athens, killing thousands including Pericles.
Alcibiades & Syracuse :
- Alcibiades, a key Athenian leader, pushed for an aggressive campaign against Syracuse.
- Initial Athenian success turned into a disastrous defeat, costly for Athens.
End
Oligarchy → Defeat → Tyranny
- Alcibiades comes back to Athens and promises to get persian help, however, Athens gets defeated because Sparta gets persian navy
-Thirty takes over
Pericles
- Pericles: Athenian leader; promoted naval power; died during plague.
Alcibiades
- Alcibiades: leader who switched allegiances (alternating his leadership between Sparta and Athens) + was involved in Syracuse campaign.
Nicias
- Nicias: Athenian general; opposed Alcibiades’ plans; negotiated temporary peace.
Critias/The Thirty
- Critias led a group the Thirty Tyrants (pro-Spartan oligarchy) in Athens after its fall - takes over and rules with violence.
Tragedy and Comedy Key Features + Purposes
Study sheet
The Clouds by Aristophanes (comedy) + Ideas it Reflects
Old = to young: Socrates ‘s son comes back from getting taught by Euthyphro and fights with the Socrates but then Socrates soon realizes that the son has the right to say these things.
Socrates - bio and philosophical ideas
Bio:
Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher known for the Socratic Method (questioning that promotes critical thinking)
Allegory of the Cave:
- Represents the importance of education and enlightenment (the outside of the cave representing a world outside of education)
- Someone who is willing to use their knowledge to benefit their polis is to be leader.
If Democracy is Beautiful:
- He does not support democracy (says if democracy is beautiful, it follows that tyranny is even more beautiful)
- steers youth away from tradition
- questions common beliefs
- Uses his knowledge to act superior
Dialogues
Apology:
- He believes in questioning things and self - discovery
- Questions beliefs of artisians, politicians, and poets, to see how wise they really are (Socratic Method)
- Believed true knowledge starts with recognizing one’s ignorance, famously saying, “I know that I know nothing.”
Euthyphro:
Socrates questions Euthyphro about piety, asking whether actions are pious because the gods approve them, or if they are approved by the gods because they are inherently pious.
