general facts about the ancients Flashcards
What is the basis of religion?
Religion for the ancients involves practice, it was something you do.
ex. perform sacrifices, libations etc.
How is myth viewed from the perspective of the ancients?
Myth is a traditional story passed down generationally.
What are four aspects that can be involved in myth?
Myth can involve:
1. legendary figures.
2. explanations for either the universe of the gods
3. folktale motifs.
- It can also explain a society and a culture to those who study it, either in the present or in BCE.
What is an absolute regarding interpretation of myth?
THERE IS NO TRUE, DEFINITIVE, ONE INTERPRETATION OF A MYTH.
Why is the Ptolemaic Kingdom most significant of the Hellenistic Kingdoms?
Under the Ptolemies, Egypt becomes the center for Greek culture in the ancient world.
What are three aspects of the Etruscans?
- NOT GREEK
- Lived in Eturia
- Had connections to the Greek world.
What are the three stages of being a woman?
- Parthenos - unmarried, virgin.
- Nymphe - married
- Gune - mother
What kind of shield does a Hoplite carry?
Hoplon
What kind of technique was common to use? What was the purpose of a battle?
- Phalanx
- The point wasn’t to kill but to break the opposing phalanx.
Myth is connected with both..? What is the proof of this?
- early religion and fertility
- proof is seen in the Cycladic female marble figures (emphasis on the public area of the figure)
What are three key terms relating to the Sumerians (4000-2300 BCE)?
- Cuneiform - writing system that used a wedge shaped form
- Polytheism
- Ziggurat - home of a god in ancient Sumerian communities
Who are two significant groups of Semites (4000 - 2300 BCE)?
- Akkadians
- Babylonians
In what way did the Hebrews deviate from the norm within Ancient cultures?
They were monotheistic, believing in only one god as opposed to multiple.
What is something notable regarding the relationship of the Greeks and the Egyptians?
The Greek were fascinated with the Egyptians and absorbed much of their culture.
Where were the Hittites located?
In Asia Minor, in the Anatolian coast.
Is myth authoritative?
YES. It is considered truth and connects generations to their past.
What was the most popular way of oral transmission of myth?
Aoidos
What are three aspects of an Aoidos?
- They are a poet and singer.
- They are often illiterate and learn their craft through apprenticing
- Composition of songs are done WHILE IN PERFORMANCE
What were the three main genres of myth?
- Epics
- Hymns
- Wisdom literature
What are the four main poets and works?
- Homer
- Homeric Hymns
- Hesiod
- Cycladic poems
What are the two works Homer is most known for?
- Iliad - Trojan War
- Odyssey - Odysseus’s voyage back to Ithaca after the Trojan War
What are two aspects of the Homeric Hymns?
- They were NOT written by Homer but they feel like they were.
- Were often the opening act to a play by Homer.
What are the two works Hesiod is most known for?
- Theogony - A form of wisdom literature, describing the origins of Greek gods
- Works and Days - About human life and the place of mortals in the world
What are the Cycladic Poems considered to be?
Inferior to the quality of Homeric Epics but considered to be supplemental; fills in the gaps of the Homeric Epics.
Did Homer actually exist?
NO, it’s just a name. The Iliad and Odyssey were part of oral tradition, spanning multiple generations (they were reworked and reformed regularly)
Where were Homeric Epics performed?
They were often performed publicly; usually in a festival context.
What are two features of a chorus?
- Size can vary based on needs of composer/poet (ranges from 12-50 members)
- Includes songs and choreography
Where were tragedy plays developed?
Athens
Who are the 3 most notable Tragedians?
- Aeschylus (525 - 456 BCE)
- Sophocles (496 - 406 BCE)
- Euripides (484 - 406 BCE)
What meter did Homer and Hesiod write in?
Dactylic Hexameter
What is the fundamental question asked by Hesiod and the Greeks?
Why is life so hard?????
-Hesiod’s Works and Days is an attempt to understand why.
Why is life so hard according to Hesiod?
Zeus commanding for the creation of Pandora.
What are the 5 Ages described by Hesiod?
- Golden Age
- Silver Age
- Bronze Age
- Heroic Age
- Iron Age
What are features of the Golden Age according to Hesiod?
- Pre Pandora, Cronus is in charge.
- No work or old age.
- Men are like gods
What are features of the Silver Age according to Hesiod?
- Humans do not revere the gods as they should.
- Humans have long lives.
- Humans act foolish and violent.
What are features of the Bronze Age according to Hesiod?
- Most myths involving human beings take place during this period.
- Violent / warlike, humans are killing each other.
What are features of the Heroic Age according to Hesiod?
- HESIOD INVENTED THIS AGE
- Time of demigods / half gods, their lives end on the Isle of the Blessed with Cronus overseeing them.
- Last time where humans and gods interacted.
What are features of the Iron Age according to Hesiod?
- The age Hesiod lives in
- Mostly awful because of the events at Mecone
What is the broad message the Hesiod communicates through his 5 Ages?
The ages depict the decline of humanity.
How are women a ‘punishment’ to the Greeks?
- They were seen as the origin for bad things, through Pandora.
- The reason why men had to work; women were seen as lazy consumers.
