Test 1 Flashcards
What was the Delian League?
An Athenian alliance formed after defeating the Persian invasion
Who was Pericles?
Respected Athenian statesman
What were Pericles’s main goals?
To strengthen Athenian democracy and glorify Athens
Main Idea- Greece/Golden Age
Democratic principles + classical culture flourished during Greece’s golden age
Relevance-Greece/Golden Age
At its height, Greece set lasting standards in art, politics, lit, and philosophy that are still adhered to today
When was the Age of Pericles?
461-429 BCE
How did Pericles strengthen Athenian democracy?
Since government positions were unpaid, originally only wealthy people could afford to hold this position. Pericles increased the # of paid positions, and now even the poorest could serve if chosen, since he would receive a salary.
Why was Pericles’s speech inaccurate? (please study that on your own)
It says whole people but what about women?
How did Pericles ‘glorify’ Athens?
By stealing cash from the League communal fund and using it to beautify Athens, buying gold, ivory, marble and building the Parthenon.
Who was Phidias?
The most famous sculptor in Athens (remember it sounds like Phineas, who was amazing at building stuff :P )
What impact did Persian invasion have on Greece?
It unified and empowered the Athenians and they started fighting for each other instead of a king
Who was Aspasia?
Pericles’s wife
Study Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns.
Awesome.
What did the Parthenon represent to the Athenians? Why was it so important?
Freedom, after they were attacked. They were almost killed, but, well, they weren’t. Yay.
How did Pericles obtain the funds for the Parthenon?
Stealing from the Delian League along w/ the other things in the name of glorifying Athens
Was the athenian democracy truly in hands of all the people?
No. Although Athenian citizens were widely represented at all levels of government, citizens only small part of athenian total population
Who in Athens qualified to be a citizen?
male eighteen year old or older w/ a citizen father
How was the Parthenon built?
Wooden frame built around each block of stone and pulled by oxen to site, then pulleys were used to lift them.
What was the centerpiece of the Parthenon?
Statue of goddess of Athena, made of ivory and a ton of gold
How did Pericles’s opponents attack him and his temple?
Claimed pericles was dressing Athens up like a pretentious woman and used others’ gold to make it more so
How was the new sculpture style better than the old one?
The first style seemed unnatural
How were laws passed in Athens?
Voted on and proposed directly by an assembly of all citizens
How were leaders chosen in Athens?
By lot
How were laws carried out in Athens?
Executive branch composed of 500 man council
How big were the juries in Athens?
It varied
Who was Polyclitis?
architect of theater of epidaurus
what was a scayner?
a scene
What was the supposed correlation between theater and healing?
Theater was medicine. Plays at this time were fundamentally musical experiences. A distressed individual could for example ease his nerves by listening to calming music or watching a funny show. This is why the theater was next to the healing center.
Where was the theater?
Next to the healing center
What was the purpose of the two story stage building?
Painted as backdrop and special effects
How were perfect acoustics achieved in the theater?
No completely flat surface, so when the sounds hit the wall it is diffused in many different directions. Enhances the original sound by stretching it a little longer then it was
How were sounds made even clearer in the theater?
Used a resonator, tuned to frequencies they wanted to delete so the audience could hear the sounds more clearly
What is tragedy?
Serious form of drama w downfall of heroic or noble character, who often has a tragic flaw
What is comedy?
Humorous form of drama, often including slapstick (physical comedy)
Ancient Olympics vs. Modern: Who could participate?
Men of Greek descent/Both sexes, various countries
Ancient Olympics vs. Modern: How many athletes?
Few hundred/2600 from 77 countries
Ancient Olympics vs. Modern: Religious significance?
Held as a religious event to honor Greek god Zeus/None
Ancient Olympics vs. Modern: Winners?
One only/Gold, silver, bronze medals awarded
Ancient Olympics vs. Modern: Where?
Olympia, Greece/anywhere in the world
Ancient Olympics vs. Modern: What season?
Summer only/Summer and Winter
Polis
City-State
What was unique about Olympia?
It was the only place in the world where both gods and men were worshipped
What types of races did the Greek have?
200,400, and 5000 meters; later came the pentathlon (running, jumping, discus, wrestling and javelin.)
How was the final Olympic victor chosen from the remaining two athletes?
hey would fight it out in wrestling and boxing combat.
How long did athletes train for the Olympics? Why could only wealthy compete?
10 months on their own, followed by one month @ Olympia. Only the wealthy could afford to train for that long without working.
What took place in the “echo-colony?”
A contest for trumpeters and heralds
What took place in the Hippodrome?
Chariot and horse races (it was the horse race track)
What did the victor of the Olympics receive?
A band around his head, a palm branch to wave and an olive wreath to take home. Allowed his pick of heiresses, fame, and good meals at public expense.
Why were the Olympics eventually abolished?
Roman emperor considered them pagan.
