Midterm 1 Flashcards
Historical Significance of People, Speeches, and Events
- I perceive that you are calumniated by those who are jealous of you and are accustomed to throw their own
cities into confusion, who regard the peace which is for the public advantage as a war against their own private interests, and, unconcerned about everything else, speak of nothing but your power, asserting that its growth is not for the interests of Hellas but against them, and that you
have been already for a long time plotting against us, 74. and that, while you pretend to be anxious to assist the
Messenians, as soon as you have settled with the Phocians, you are in reality endeavouring to get Peloponnesus into your power. They further assert that the Thessalians, Thebans, and all the members of the
Amphictyonic league are ready to follow you, and that the Argives, Messenians, Megalopolitans and many others are prepared to fight on your side and to exterminate the Lacedaemonians; and, if you do this, they say that you will easily overcome the rest of the Hellenes. 75. By talking such nonsense and pretending that they possess an accurate knowledge of affairs, and by speedily overthrowing everything in their speech, they persuade many, in the first place, those who desire the same evils as the speech-makers; in the next place, those who exercise no judgment in regard to public affairs, but are
altogether apathetic and exceedingly grateful to those who pretend fear and anxiety on their behalf; and lastly,
those who do not reject the idea that you are plotting against the Hellenes, but think that what you are charged
with is not unworthy of your efforts. 76. The judgment of the latter is so far from being correct, that they are not aware that, by means of the same
statements, a man might hurt some and benefit others. For instance, in the present case, if one were to assert
that the king of Asia was plotting against the Hellenes and was preparing to march against us, in that he would say nothing to his disparagement, but would make him appear more courageous and deserving of greater consideration;
but if, on the other hand, anyone were to bring such a charge against one of the descendants of Heracles, who
proved himself the benefactor of all Hellas, he would bring the greatest shame upon him. 77. For who could help feeling indignation and hatred if a
man were seen to be plotting against those on whose behalf his ancestor elected to undergo perils, and, instead
of endeavouring to maintain the legacy of goodwill which he bequeathed to his posterity, were to pay no heed to this and to devote his attention to disgraceful and evil undertakings? - This you must bear in mind, and not view with indifference the growth of such a report concerning yourself, which your enemies seek to fix upon you, and which every one of your friends would venture to contradict on your behalf. However, you will best discern the truth in regard to your interests by considering the
views held by both. 79. Now, you perhaps consider it weak-minded to pay attention to detractors and babblers and those who listen
to them, especially when you are conscious of no offense on your part. You must not, however, despise the
multitude, nor think it of little importance to be in good repute amongst all.
Author: Isokrates, speech to Philip and a prominent Greek rhetorician and educator.
Genre: This speech is categorized as deliberative rhetoric, as it is addressed to Philip II of Macedon, urging him to take action for the greater good of Greece.
Historical Significance: Isocrates’ Speech to Philip is significant as it represents an attempt to persuade Philip to unify the Greek city-states under his leadership and embark on a pan-Hellenic campaign against the Persian Empire. Isocrates advocates for a peaceful resolution to internal conflicts among Greek states and emphasizes the importance of Philip’s role as a unifier and protector of Greece against external threats.
1 On many occasions, men of Athens, one may, I think, recognize the manifest favor of heaven towards our city, and not least at the present crisis. That Philip has found men willing to fight him, situated on his frontiers and possessed of considerable power, above all so determined that they regard any accommodation with him as both delusive and fatal to their own country—this has all the appearance of a super-human, a divine beneficence. 2 So the time has come, men of Athens, to look to it that we do not prove more unfriendly to ourselves than circumstances have
been, for we shall show ourselves the meanest of mankind, if we abandon not only the cities and the places which we once called our own, but the very allies that fortune has raised up for us and the chances she throws in our way. 3 Now I do not choose, Athenians, to enumerate the resources of Philip and by such arguments
to call on you to rise to the occasion. Do you ask why? Because it seems to me that any dissertation on that topic is a tribute to his enterprise, but a record of our failure. For the higher
he has raised himself above his proper level, the more he wins the admiration of the world; but the more you have failed to improve your opportunities, the greater is the discredit that you have incurred. All this then I will waive. 4 For an impartial investigation, men of Athens, would trace the source of Philip’s greatness not to himself, but to this very platform. Of transactions, then, for which Philip should be grateful to those whose policy has served his interests, and for which you
might well demand satisfaction, I do not find this the proper time for speaking. There are, however other topics open to me; you will be the better for having heard them, and if you will consent to scrutinize them accurately, men of Athens, you will find in them grave charges against Philip. On these topics I shall endeavor to address you. 5 Now to call a man perjured and faithless, without drawing attention to his acts, might justly be termed mere abuse; but to describe his conduct in detail and convict him on the whole count
fortunately requires only a short speech. Moreover, I have two reasons for thinking the story worth the telling: Philip shall appear as worthless as he really is, and those who stand aghast at his apparent invincibility shall see that he has exhausted all the arts of chicanery on which his greatness was founded at the first, and that his career has now reached its extreme limit. 6 For my own part, Athenians, I too should be inclined to regard Philip with mingled fear and admiration, if I saw that his success had crowned a career of integrity. But when I consider him attentively, I find that at the outset, when the Olynthians were anxious to consult you, but certain
persons were for excluding them from our Assembly, he won our simple hearts by promising to hand over Amphipolis to us and by negotiating that secret treaty 1 once so much talked about. 7 I find that next he won the friendship of the Olynthians by capturing Potidaea, which was yours,
and thus wronging you, his former allies, 2 in presenting it to them. Lastly he has won over the Thessalians by promising to bestow Magnesia upon them and by undertaking to conduct the Phocian war 3 in their interests. In a word, he has hoodwinked everyone that has had any dealings with him; he has played upon the folly of each party in turn and exploited their ignorance of his own character. That is how he has gained his power. 8 Now even as he has raised himself by these arts, while every community imagined that they were to be the recipients of his favors, so by these same arts he is bound to be brought low again now that the utter selfishness of his
conduct has been amply demonstrated. Yes, men of Athens, this is the turning point of Philip’s
career. If not, let someone step up and prove to me—or rather to you—that my words are untrue, or that those who have been once deceived will continue to trust him, or that the Thessalians who stooped to become his slaves would not now welcome their emancipation. 9 Again, if anyone here admits the truth of this, but fancies that Philip will remain master of the situation, being already in possession of the fortresses and harbors and other points of vantage,
he is mistaken. For when a league is knit together by goodwill, when all the allied states have the same interests, then the individual members are willing to remain steadfast, sharing the toil and enduring the hardships; but when a man has gained power, as Philip has, by rapacity and crime,
then the first pretext, some trifling slip, overthrows and shatters all. 10 It is impossible, men of Athens, impossible to gain permanent power by injustice, perjury, and falsehood. Once in a way
and for a brief season such things endure, and fed with hopes make, it may be, a brave show of blossom, but at the last they are detected and fall to pieces. For a house, I take it, or a ship or anything of that sort must have its chief strength in its substructure; and so too in affairs of state the principles and the foundations must be truth and justice. There is no vestige of these today in the power that Philip has built up. 11 I urge you strongly to send help to Olynthus, and the best and quickest method that anyone can suggest will please me most. To the Thessalians you must send an embassy to inform some of them of our intentions and to stir up the others; for they have already decided to demand the
restoration of Pagasae and to protest against the occupation of Magnesia. 12 But you must make sure, men of Athens, that our envoys do not confine themselves to words; they must be able to give some practical proof that we have taken the field in a way worthy of our city and that we are
really grappling with the situation. All words, apart from action, seem vain and idle, especially words from Athenian lips; for the greater our reputation for a ready tongue, the greater the distrust it inspires in all men. 13 You must indeed prove the thoroughness of your reformation
and the importance of your change of policy by raising money, by serving in the field, and by doing everything with a will, if you want anyone to take you seriously. If you consent to carry
through the necessary reforms at once, not only will Philip’s alliances, men of Athens, prove unstable and untrustworthy, but the weakness of his native power and sovereignty will be
completely exposed. 14 Yes, the power and sovereignty of Macedonia is indeed, as an adjunct, no slight contribution, as you found it when on your side against Olynthus in the days of Timotheus. 4 On another occasion, in dealing with Potidaea, the Olynthians found its cooperation of some value; and lately it came to the help of the Thessalians in their factions and feuds against the ruling house.
The accession, I suppose, even of a small force is in every way helpful; but by itself Macedonia is weak and full of defects. 15 For indeed Philip by all that might be deemed to constitute his
greatness, by his wars and his campaigns, has only reduced his country below its natural level of
insecurity. You must not imagine, men of Athens, that his subjects share his tastes. No: glory is his sole object and ambition; in action and in danger he has elected to suffer whatever may befall him putting before a life of safety the distinction of achieving what no other king of Macedonia
ever achieved. 16 But his subjects have no share in the glory that results. They are perpetually buffeted and wearied and distressed by these expeditions north and south, never suffered to give their time to their business or their private affairs, never able to dispose of such produce as they can raise, because the war has closed all the markets in their land.
Author: Demosthenes, 2d Olynthiac, an Athenian statesman and orator known for his opposition to Philip II of Macedon.
Genre: This speech is a deliberative oration delivered to the Athenian Assembly, urging action against Philip and his expansionist policies.
Historical Significance: The 2nd Olynthiac speech by Demosthenes is significant as it reflects the intense political and military tensions between Athens and Philip of Macedon during the 4th century BCE. Demosthenes warns the Athenians of the threat posed by Philip’s growing power and urges them to take decisive action to defend Greek autonomy and sovereignty. The speech exemplifies the political rhetoric and diplomatic maneuvers employed by Greek city-states in response to the rise of Macedon.
Author: Author, Text #29 Ptolemy and Cerene (The Constitution of Cerene).
Ptolemy I was the founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt, although the actual authorship may be uncertain.
Genre: It is a legal document or constitution detailing the governance and administration of the city of Cyrene in North Africa under Ptolemaic rule.
Historical Significance: Austin’s Text #29 provides valuable insight into the political organization and administrative practices of the Hellenistic period. It illustrates the establishment of Greek political institutions and cultural influence in regions outside mainland Greece, as well as the strategies employed by Hellenistic rulers to maintain control over distant territories through local governance and legal frameworks.
Author: Author, Text #29 Ptolemy and Cerene (The Constitution of Cerene).
Ptolemy I was the founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt, although the actual authorship may be uncertain.
Genre: It is a legal document or constitution detailing the governance and administration of the city of Cyrene in North Africa under Ptolemaic rule.
Historical Significance: Austin’s Text #29 provides valuable insight into the political organization and administrative practices of the Hellenistic period. It illustrates the establishment of Greek political institutions and cultural influence in regions outside mainland Greece, as well as the strategies employed by Hellenistic rulers to maintain control over distant territories through local governance and legal frameworks.
Author: Plutarch, Life of Alexander. A Greek historian and biographer who lived during the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.
Genre: Biography.
Historical Significance: Plutarch’s Life of Alexander is one of the most influential biographies of the ancient world, providing a detailed account of the life and achievements of Alexander the Great. The passages from pages 283-285 likely cover significant events or episodes from Alexander’s conquests, leadership, or personal life. Plutarch’s biography offers valuable insights into the character of Alexander, his military campaigns, his relationships with companions and adversaries, and his impact on the course of history. It also reflects the reception of Alexander’s legacy in the later Roman period.
Author: Plutarch, Life of Alexander. A Greek historian and biographer who lived during the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.
Genre: Biography.
Historical Significance: Plutarch’s Life of Alexander is one of the most influential biographies of the ancient world, providing a detailed account of the life and achievements of Alexander the Great. The passages from pages 283-285 likely cover significant events or episodes from Alexander’s conquests, leadership, or personal life. Plutarch’s biography offers valuable insights into the character of Alexander, his military campaigns, his relationships with companions and adversaries, and his impact on the course of history. It also reflects the reception of Alexander’s legacy in the later Roman period.
Author: Plutarch, Life of Alexander. A Greek historian and biographer who lived during the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.
Genre: Biography.
Historical Significance: Plutarch’s Life of Alexander is one of the most influential biographies of the ancient world, providing a detailed account of the life and achievements of Alexander the Great. The passages from pages 283-285 likely cover significant events or episodes from Alexander’s conquests, leadership, or personal life. Plutarch’s biography offers valuable insights into the character of Alexander, his military campaigns, his relationships with companions and adversaries, and his impact on the course of history. It also reflects the reception of Alexander’s legacy in the later Roman period.
Alexandria and Aï Khanum were two new foundations of the Hellenistic Age.
Citing specific sources for your answer, compare and contrast how these two settlements were
representative of the period. In what ways were they different?
Both Alexandria and Ai-Khanoum were significant foundational settlements during the Hellenistic Age, but they emerged in different regions and had distinct characteristics:
Geographical Location:
Alexandria: Located in Egypt, Alexandria was strategically positioned at the mouth of the Nile River, providing access to both the Mediterranean Sea and the Nile Delta.
Ai-Khanoum: Situated in present-day Afghanistan, Ai-Khanoum was located at the junction of trade routes linking Central Asia, India, and Persia, making it a crucial hub for commerce and cultural exchange in the region.
Founders:
Alexandria: Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, Alexandria was established as a cosmopolitan center of Hellenistic culture and power.
Ai-Khanoum: Founded by Alexander around 329 BCE. Ai-Khanoum was surrounded by a massive stone wall to protect from the nomads in the steppes.
Cultural Influence:
Alexandria: Known as the intellectual capital of the ancient world, Alexandria housed the famous Library of Alexandria and the Museum, fostering advancements in various fields such as science, mathematics, and literature.
Ai-Khanoum: While influenced by Greek culture, Ai-Khanoum also assimilated elements of local Bactrian and Persian cultures, creating a unique blend of Hellenistic and indigenous traditions.
Economic Importance:
Alexandria: As a major port city, Alexandria played a crucial role in facilitating trade between Europe, Africa, and Asia. It became one of the wealthiest cities in the ancient world due to its strategic location and economic activities.
Ai-Khanoum: Situated along the Silk Road, Ai-Khanoum served as a vital trade link between the East and the West, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between different regions.
Architectural Features:
Alexandria: Known for its grandeur and architectural innovations, Alexandria boasted impressive structures such as the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Serapeum, a temple dedicated to the Greco-Egyptian deity Serapis.
Ai-Khanoum: While not as extensively documented as Alexandria, Ai-Khanoum featured Greek-style urban planning with well-defined street grids, public buildings, and residential areas, reflecting the Hellenistic architectural influence.
Legacy:
Alexandria: Despite its decline over the centuries, Alexandria left a lasting legacy in the realms of scholarship, philosophy, and culture. Its intellectual heritage continued to influence subsequent civilizations, including the Roman Empire and the Islamic world.
Ai-Khanoum: Ai-Khanoum’s legacy is less prominent in historical records, but its role as a crossroads of cultures and civilizations contributed to the diffusion of Hellenistic culture in Central Asia and beyond.
In summary, both Alexandria and Ai-Khanoum played crucial roles in the expansion and diffusion of Hellenistic culture, though they differed in geographical location, founders, cultural influences, economic significance, architectural features, and legacies.
Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great was one of the most influential figures of the Hellenistic period, known for his unprecedented conquests that spread Greek culture and Hellenistic influence across three continents. His empire laid the foundation for the Hellenistic world, facilitating cultural exchange and the spread of Greek language, art, and ideas.
Antigonus Monophthalamus (“The One-Eyed”)
Antigonus was one of Alexander’s successors, known for his ambition to reunify Alexander’s empire under his rule. He played a significant role in the Wars of the Diadochi (Successor Wars), attempting to assert control over the fragmented territories following Alexander’s death.
Antipater
Antipater was a Macedonian general and regent of Alexander’s empire after his death. He played a crucial role in stabilizing the empire during the early Hellenistic period and was involved in the Wars of the Diadochi, ultimately becoming one of the most powerful figures in the successor states.
Apollonius of Rhodes
Apollonius of Rhodes was a Hellenistic poet known for his epic poem “Argonautica,” which narrates the mythical quest of Jason and the Argonauts for the Golden Fleece. The poem reflects the cultural and literary developments of the Hellenistic period, blending traditional mythology with new poetic techniques and themes.
Argonautica
An epic poem written by Apollonius of Rhodes, which narrates the mythical quest of Jason and the Argonauts for the Golden Fleece. The poem reflects the cultural and literary developments of the Hellenistic period, blending traditional mythology with new poetic techniques and themes.
Aristotle
Aristotle was one of the most influential philosophers and intellectuals of the ancient world, known for his contributions to philosophy, science, and ethics. His works were widely studied and preserved during the Hellenistic period, shaping intellectual discourse and education in the Hellenistic world. He tutored Alexander the Great in his youth.
Arrian
Arrian was a Greek historian who wrote extensively about Alexander the Great, providing valuable firsthand accounts of his military campaigns and conquests in his work “Anabasis.” Arrian’s writings are crucial sources for understanding Alexander’s life and achievements.
Battle of Chaeronea
The Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BCE was a decisive victory for Philip II of Macedon over the Greek city-states, establishing Macedonian hegemony over Greece. This paved the way for Philip’s campaign against the Persian Empire and laid the groundwork for Alexander’s conquests.
Bucephalus
Bucephalus was Alexander the Great’s legendary horse, renowned for its speed, strength, and loyalty. The bond between Alexander and Bucephalus symbolized the king’s leadership qualities and played a significant role in his military campaigns.
Burning of Persepolis
The burning of Persepolis, the capital of the Persian Empire, by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE marked a symbolic and strategic turning point in his conquest of Persia. It symbolized the overthrow of Persian power and the assertion of Greek dominance in the region.
Callimachus
Callimachus was a Hellenistic poet and scholar who played a pivotal role in the development of Greek literature and scholarship. He was associated with the Library of Alexandria and is known for his innovative poetic techniques and contributions to literary criticism.
Cassander
Cassander was one of Alexander the Great’s successors and a prominent figure in the Wars of the Diadochi. He established the Antipatrid dynasty in Macedon and played a key role in shaping the political landscape of the Hellenistic world.
Darius III
Darius III was the last king of the Achaemenid Persian Empire and the primary adversary of Alexander the Great during his conquest of Persia. His defeat at the Battle of Issus and subsequent capture marked the downfall of the Persian Empire and the culmination of Alexander’s eastern campaign.
