Abstract This paper discusses ancientGreece and Rome, noting first that the two major city-states in ancientGreece were Athens and Sparta, and these two cities had different social systems and concentrated on perfecting different aspects of life. The writer notes that the ancient Greeks developed a social system that reflected their geography and climate. The writer further points out that the city-state was the name given to the early kingdoms built around a small city, with the largest political unit being the city itself.
From the Paper "The two major city-states in ancient Greece were Athens and Sparta, and these two cities had different social systems and concentrated on perfecting different aspects of life. The ancient Greeks developed a social system that reflected their geography and climate. The city-state was the name given to the early kingdoms built around a small city, with the largest political unit being the city itself. In time, city-states would join together to form larger political units, creating larger kingdoms and eventually empires stretching across much of a continent or other large area. For the Greeks, the city-state was the basic political unit, and the major ones were Athens and Sparta. The leadership in Athens was democratic, while that in Sparta was based more on strong military leaders."
Abstract This paper looks the topic of gynecology in ancientGreece, with a particular focus on the doctor Soranus, who in the early common era wrote a book on the subject. It also provides the content of his theory.
From the Paper "This research examines the topic of gynecology in ancient Greece with a particular focus on the doctor Soranus who in the early common era wrotea book on the subject. The research will set forth the historical and cultural context in which Soranus produced .."
Abstract This paper argues that financial and other practical factors as opposed to supernatural factors shaped the practice of abandoning infants in the real world of ancientGreece and Rome .
From the Paper "To the modern reader the story of how the infant Oedipus was exposed to die on a hillside at his father's insistence is appalling. While it can be argued that the problem of child abuse and abandonment is still very much ..."
Tags: child exposure/abandonment, Greece, Rome, Oedipus, Ion
Abstract This paper explains that the limited information about women's lives in AncientGreece comes mainly from the poems, plays and illustrations depicting women, which were written by men because few women were literate. The author points out that, while women were excluded from many religious rites outside the home, archaeological and literary evidence indicates that there were several festivals and ceremonies, which were exclusively for the women. The paper concludes that, although the women of AncientGreece were marginalized and had no real voice in society, they most certainly did have a great influence on the men as witnesses by the belief of men that, if the men interfered with the Thesmophoria festival, the harvest would be bad. The paper includes images of ancient Greek art depicting women.
From the Paper "Religion in Ancient Greece was very important, although not in the way we now know religion. In Ancient Greece, religion was not presided over by theologians, priests or prophets, as most modern religions are, but rather by the artists, poets and philosophers of the time, according to Hamilton however, define is perhaps the wrong word to use, instead they "express[ed] or suggest[ed] it". The goal of religion was not to achieve a pleasant afterlife, the Greeks believed that the underworld (Hades) was a place of unhappiness, but rather to achieve "Excellence" in this life."
Abstract This paper states that sexual roles were very different in ancientGreece as compared to today. The author points out that the differences between sexuality and gender were even more distinct back in ancientGreece. The paper relates that Odysseus, as he makes his travels through "The Odyssey", frequently pushes the limits of his gender role as presented in chapters 9 and 22.
From the Paper "Sexual roles were very different in ancient Greece, compared to those roles today. In fact, the differences between "sexuality" and "gender" were even more distinct back in ancient Greece. Just as in the modern world, sexual activity had certain strictures and gender roles had well-defined limits. All of these roles with their strictures and limits appeared in the literature of the time. Odysseus, as he makes his travels through The Odyssey, frequently pushes the limits of his gender role. This paper will discuss how he does so both in Chapter 9 and how he resolves this issue in Chapter 22. Over the centuries, men have traditionally been expected to behave "as men." Traditionally, they have taken on the role of family guardian and provider, of warrior and politician. Women have traditionally been the nurturers and caregivers, both soothing and passive."
Abstract This paper examines the common misinterpretation regarding the ancient Greeks being too civilized a culture to commit human sacrifice. The writer of this brief yet concise paper proves that the Greeks did in fact commit human sacrifices as a major component of their religious beliefs and activities. The Greek's belief in Dionysus, the god of crop fertility, was a significant element in these sacrifices. Dionysus symbolized flesh and blood as bread and wine. An annual worship held in his name was to insure crop fertility. This was a common practice for many societies throughout AncientGreece, including the Myceneans. The Myceneans were a powerful civilization who sacrificed humans in honor of the Olympian gods and archaeological evidence has been found to back these claims.
From the Paper "The Mycenean civilization practiced this as well as many other forms of human sacrifice: "The burnt offering altar was often used in Mycenean rituals, and became a major form of practice. This form of human sacrifice was used late, almost until the end of the Mycenean civilization. "The burnt offering altar was a large, grill-like structure where prophets placed hot coals. The altar placed on the chest of the strongest warrior in town, the usual subject of this ritual. The sacrifice would be long and grueling, and the victim would not die until the prophets finished their praying to the gods. The Myceneans were a powerful civilization who were mentioned in the Homeric poems. They sacrificed humans in honor of the Olympian gods, and archeological evidence has been found."
Abstract This paper discusses the roles of women in AncientGreece, highlighting their separate and inferior status in a male-oriented society. It outlines womens' roles in the home, their political and social rights, and their status as sexual beings. Mens' social standing as a reflection of their marital status is raised.
From the Paper "The women of Ancient Greece lived through a period of critical oppression, which would last several centuries. They were completely inferior and separated from a male society. Women were confined to the homes and restricted against free movement in the streets. Their duties were to bear children and attend to household affairs."
An examination of the influence of ancientGreece on the modern Olympic Games, the effect that religion, politics and finance has had in its evolvement.
Abstract This paper examines the origins and history of the Olympic Games. The original purpose and ideals of the creators have changed with time to what exists today. The influence of sponsorship, religion and politics are examined.
Introduction
The Site of the Games
The Olympic Program in AncientGreece Influence on Modern Sports
Athletes, Officials, and Spectators in Modern Sports
The Victors and Rewards in AncientGreece The Role of Women in AncientGreece The Politics in the Olympic Games in AncientGreece Politics in Modern Sports
Conclusion
From the Paper "Researchers assert that, in the 1990s, more athletes and sports personalities than ever before have started to candidly articulate their religious faith in the presence of their adversaries, teammates, admirers, as well as, television cameras. They go down on your knees. They pray. They yell. They revel and position their fingers to the heavens, presenting thanks to the God, who they articulate has given them the bravery and power to contend and succeed in their selected sports. And when their workday is complete and their term is ended, they carry on to spread their religious expressions in the world outside sports, by means of their standing and superstar personality to attract both the juvenile and the old in a similar way into campgrounds, associations, programs, as well as, organizations whose reason is to serve the god."
Abstract It is occasionally said that one can gain a deep understanding of a culture by looking at its legends and beliefs. In the case of Ancient Eastern China and ancientGreece, there is much truth in that statement, inasmuch as the preoccupations, fears and values of both cultures are expressed by their depiction of the underworld or afterlife as some might call it. The paper explores the purpose and/or function of the underworld in both ancient Eastern China and in ancientGreece and the paper also looks at the major Gods and Goddesses of each mythic realm.
Abstract This paper discusses Professor Martin's purpose for writing his book, "AncientGreece: From Prehistoric to Hellenistic Times", and shows how he wrote an entertaining and highly informative book that encompasses the entire history of ancientGreece. The paper also looks at how the book depicts the history of Greece up to the Hellenistic Age when Greece prospered as never before.
From the Paper "As the author of Ancient Greece: From Prehistoric to Hellenistic Times (Yale University Press, 1996), Thomas R. Martin is a highly-distinguished British scholar and educator and currently teaches at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is also a Jeremiah O'Connor Professor of Classics and holds a Ph.D. in Ancient Studies. Within the last ten years, Professor Martin has worked for a number of scholarly institutions and has served as the chairman for several important archeological projects in Greece, Italy and the Near East. He is the author of several important books, a few being Peoples and Cultures from 1560 to the Global Age (2000) and The Making of the West: A Concise History (2002) which is currently used in many college and university classes as required reading material."
Abstract Some of the key features of both "democracy" and the American Constitution have their origins in ancient history. If one looks at Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and India, we may discover traces of democratic thought that precipitated the rise of each of those lands and peoples. The paper shows, however, that many of the critical threads of Western political thought can be directly catalyzed by the very birth of Western society in the classical civilizations of AncientGreece and Rome. The paper traces concepts of democracy and citizenship from ancient times and shows how they affected modern forms of government, in particular, the American Constitution and Britain's Houses of Lords and Commons.
From the Paper "In effect, this republic-representative democracy was therefore established in which the people chose representatives to run the state for them. The Roman Republic was a government headed by elected leaders, yet real power was held by the Senate, which represented the upper class, and two consuls, who served as heads of state. If we
examine Ancient Roman society even further, we can identify origins of the United States Constitution: the Bill of Rights. For instance, the rights of all citizens were protected by a code of laws known as the Twelve Tables of Law."
Abstract The writer of this paper examines the historic significance of the kylix which is associated with ancient Greek celebrations and feasts. A kylix and its plural kylikes are defined as shallow stemmed two-handled drinking vessels used in ancientGreece. Much thought and attention to detail went into the painting of the interior of kylikes. The representations would be covered with wine and the scenes would be visible only partially, when the wine was tipped back into the mouth and eventually fully exposed when the liquid was consumed. The kylix lent an element of surprise and discovery that was a great source of celebration to the Greeks. This paper details the various contents and representations found on kylikes. Greek revelers thanked Dionysus, the Greek god of religion, for the spirits they were enjoying. For this reason, Dionysus was often the subject depicted on these drinking drinking vessels. Descriptive stories depicted in artistic form on the kylix was common among ancient Greeks. This paper describes several stories depicted on these artistic drinking vessels including that of Apollo and Koronis.
From the Paper "Although Dionysus' divinity is asserted, he is depicted in human form. In this way, the inhabitants of Thebes believe him to be a man while Dionysus allows himself the pleasures of mortal being. Pentheus describes Dionysus in the form of a man: "They say there came a stranger hither, a trickster and a sorcerer, from Lydia's land, with golden hair and perfumed locks, the flush of wine upon his face, and in his eyes each grace that Aphrodite gives; by day and night he lingers in our maidens' company on the plea of teaching Bacchic mysteries." This mortal nature serves two purposes: the disguise of mortal being and the pleasures of mortal being. In The Bacchantes, Euripides' representation of Greek society can be found in Pentheus. Pentheus is the epitome of Greek society: he is rational, cultured, and encourages traditional conventions."
Abstract This paper reviews the role of women in ancientGreece. The paper looks at the way in which women were compelled to enter into a lifetime of mothering and house duties; every bit as importantly, the paper also reviews the way in which women at least in Athens were discouraged from pursuing a proper education.
From the Paper "Ancient Greece, perhaps more so than any other civilization, bequeathed to the western world a body of intellectual exploration and creativity that is an imperishable part of the best aspects of western thinking. However, for all its successes, Ancient Greece was also a society wherein women were viewed, if not exactly as non-human, than certainly as being subordinate to men. The following paper will examine the treatment of women in Ancient Greece. Specifically, it will look at their role in Ancient Greek society as well as their status vis-a-vis men. With regards to the former matter, the paper will consider what the proper role of a woman was adjudged to be by the male authority figures of the period. In a related vein, the paper will look at how women who were educated - or not educated - by the Ancients. "
Abstract This paper addresses the politics of sexuality and gender in three specific works from ancientGreece. These works are dramas, and are the "Iliad", "Antigone", and "Lysistrata".
From the Paper "The roles of men and women in Greek society are of particular interest, and demonstrate that a type of "fued" seemed to exist between the genders in ancient Greece. "
Abstract This paper examines how the ancient Greeks determined who would win the pentathlon, a competition of professional athletes who participated in numerous sporting events in Olympia. The author discusses the Olympiad Games, who was allowed to participate, particular events-javelin, discus, wrestling, etc., festivities, and awards presented to victors.
From the Paper "An event that was intended to show all-round development was the pentathlon. Five events were included in this activity. They were running, long jumping, discus throw, javelin throw, and wrestling. The exact order of events and the precise method of determining a winner are not known. Wrestling is believed to have been the last event and may have decided the winner of the pentathlon if a participant did not have a clear advantage in the first four events. Historians have somewhat been able, with some degree of certainty, to determine how the winner of the pentathlon was actually decided. If a point system had been employed, as in our modern games, there would be no difficulty in crowning a champion; however, no evidence has been produced to support a point system in the Greek pentathlon. With the absence of such a scoring system, we are able only to present some theories and assumptions about the Greek pentathlon."
