Abstract This paper describes the ways that the Athenians practiced a polytheistic religion which expressed itself through civic festivals and cults. The paper attempts to create an overview of the most important Athenian civic festivals. It describes the way in which each festival provided a basis in Athenian worship, gave Athenian's a sense and a meaning in life and provided them with a sense of identity as human beings.
Table of Contents:
The Panathenaia
The Anthesteria
The Dionysia
The City Dionysia
From the Paper "The Dipolieia was a very strange Athenian festival that took place two days after another important festival, the Skira (Parke 162). It comprised of a ceremony called the Butaphonia in the honor of Zeus (Parke 162). They celebrated a special aspect of Zeus by this festival, i.e. Zeus as the God of the city and the festivities took place at his altar from the Acropolis (Parke 162). The ceremony implied the sacrifice of an ox and a mock of its restoration to life. The ritual had become antiquated and so did the festival (Parke 166).
In conclusion, the calendar of the ancient Greeks was full with both the specific Athenian festivals and the ones referring to the entire Attica. However, they did not serve only the scope of entertainment, but they supported the development of the sciences and the art while encouraging people to travel and try new things."
Abstract An analysis of the ritualistic, religious and practical uses of public space at the Athenian Acropolis and Trajan's Forum. Part II considers the movement of people through the space, especially in ritualistic contexts and how the Athenians related the religious functions of the Acropolis to its layout is examined. Part III outlines what political functions, if any, took place at the Acropolis. In Part IV, the various social, business, religious, and civic uses of the different spaces at Trajan's Forum and Markets, and how these uses related to the physical layout of space are reviewed.
From the Paper "Acropolis is renowned as a fortified natural stronghold or citadel in ancient Greece. Greeks built their towns in plains near or around a rocky hill that could easily be fortified and defended. Nearly every Greek city had its acropolis, which provided a safe place of refuge for townspeople during times of turmoil or war. Rulers of the town often lived within the walls of this stronghold. In many cases the acropolis became the site of temples and public buildings and thus served as the town's religious center, focal point of its public life, and as a place of refuge."
Abstract This paper provides an insightful review and analysis of the major events leading up to the Peloponnesian War. It also compares the Spartan and Athenian ways of life and determines if war was inevitable.
From the Paper "Epidamnus was the catalyst for the war. Epidamnus sought aid from Corinth in a rebellion against Corcyra. A civil war broke out between the democrats and the oligarchs in Epidamnus. Epidamnian democrats appealed to Corcyra for aid and were refused. The oligarchy which ruled Corcyra was sympathetic to Sparta but there was a considerable democratic element which favored joining the Athenian empire. Delphi oracle advised Epidamnus to seek Corinthian aid. Corinth sent aid because Corcyra represented a threat to Corinthian commercial interests. Corcyra demanded that Corinthian's cease aid to Epidamnus, Corinth refused. Corcyra attacked Epidamnus, Corinth prepared to attack Corcyra. "
This paper explores the ancient Greek and Athenian concept of the world order and the conception of the human scrutinizing of previous societal, bodily and philosophical inquiry.
Abstract This paper examines the classic Greeks and Athenian view on the world around them. It describes the concept of the body, mind and inner self that lead to philosophical inquiry and questioning of the human mind and the resulting societies it created.
From the Paper "Athens during the fifth century B.C. is often identified as one of the main sources of Western values and standards. Later Europeans and Americans regarded the Athenians as the originators of democracy, drama, representational or realistic art, history, philosophy, and science. At different times over the last 2,500 years they also attempted to imitate the "Golden Age" of classical Athens in everything from buildings to literature. Many U.S. state capitols and government buildings are modeled on the Parthenon or other temples. We still divide drama into tragedy and comedy in the same way the Athenians did. During some historical periods, such as the Renaissance, thinkers and writers made conscious attempts to return to the classical ideals in all areas of life, combing the works of Athenians authors for previously overlooked material in the quest to draw guidance and learn everything possible from this unique flowering of culture."
Abstract Athenians thought their democracy to be based on their unique characteristics of temperance and justice, the core of political virtue. The paper explains that by teaching and continually reinforcing this political virtue they could utilize everyone and confidently make the wisest decisions. It explains how this form of government forced the citizens to act for the common welfare so as to ensure their personal freedom. The Assembly, Council of 500, court system, and military appointments, all reflect these ideologies. Since everyone had political virtue, all were welcomed to participate and advance if they displayed the necessary abilities.
From the Paper "In order to fully understand Athenian democracy it is necessary to explore the Athenian tenets and ideologies that ultimately created this government. Athenians believed that: certain human qualities made democracy a more functional solution than other constitutional alternatives; there was a practice that best nurtured these qualities; democratic governments were more likely to make wise decisions than other forms of government; and one factor ensured that citizens would act for the common good. Athenians thought justice and temperance, the human qualities that rendered democracy more practical than other governments, embodied political virtue. The community nurtured this political virtue by teaching and continually reinforcing it in every day life. This established democracy made wise decisions because it believed that everyone had political virtue and so utilized everyone when legislating. Athenians would act for the common good solely to ensure that they retained their personal freedom. Consequently, the Athenian democracy reflected their ideologies in its institutions and practices, namely in the Assembly, the Council of 500, the court system, and the appointment of military generals."
Abstract This paper looks how the phallocentricity of Athenian society was a set of attitudes, legislation, and behavior, which elevated the prestige, power, and place of men, while assigning women to roles that would sustain the propagation of this way of life. In particular, it examines the differences in the prescribed roles of those women most intimate with the men, namely the wife and the hetaera, and their respective roles, which manifested themselves across a broad range of attributes and circumstances.
From the Paper "A child fathered on a hetaera, even by a full-fledged citizen, would not be afforded citizenship in kind, which rendered the role of a mother obsolete in her. The hetaera found her place in a much different and less domestic setting, but one which was as polarizing to the wife as child-bearing was to the hetaera. The proper place for love and sex was ?excluded from the family setting,? given over instead to the drinking group, which was primarily set in the symposium which was found in the men's quarters, an area to which the wife was restricted from entering (Murray, 23). It was in this setting, which was forbidden territory for Athenian women that the highest expressions of love took place."
Abstract This paper is a discussion of Athenian Democracy under Pericles as made possible by the existence of slavery. The paper explains that the massive slave population in Ancient Greece during this time underpinned the bulk of Greek society and drove the economy that allowed this state to flourish.
From the Paper "The ascendancy of the Greek polis in the Ancient World culminated in Athens in the fifth century BC under the leadership of the great statesman Pericles. Never holding an office higher than that of general, Pericles nonetheless dominated the political landscape of Athens for more than forty years. Under his sure hand, Athens became emblematic of all that many in modern times believe to epitomize Classic Greek culture - a shining glamorous city boasting the acropolis, the Parthenon and countless other marvels of architecture - a paragon of participatory democracy."
Tags: pericles, democracy, polis, Ancient Greece, athens, athenian democracy, slavery
Abstract The paper examines the real meaning of Pericles' famous funeral oration during which he praised not only Athens' fallen heroes, but the democratic government of the city state. The paper explains that the Athenian democracy was what it claimed to be - a government of and by the people. Not only were all citizens given equal chances to participate in the chief organs of government, they were also allowed the opportunity to pass judgment on one another. The paper points out, however, that those in charge of this business were not free to act as they pleased. The paper shows how those who climbed to greater power, wealth, or influence than their fellow citizens were quickly suspected of subverting the entire system.
From the Paper "In his oration, Pericles compared the governmental system of Athens to that of its bitter rival, Sparta. Though obviously favoring Athenian forms, it is less clear what Pericles considered to lay at the core of Athenian superiority. Athens was a democracy, and Sparta an oligarchy, but precisely what was the Athenian democracy? Was Pericles saying that his city state was a pure democracy - ruled directly by its citizens - or was he saying that it was superior to Sparta, and other oligarchies, because it employed democratic principles along with other useful, even oligarchic, methods of government?"
Abstract The Parthenon (447-32 BCE) was a crowning glory of Athenian civilization of the classical era and, what is more important, it was intended as such at the time. Thus, nearly 2,500 years later, it is possible to view the building as incorporating all of what the Athenians saw as beautiful, sacred and of civic importance in architecture. The paper shows that as its overwhelming position and the nature of its sculptural decoration make clear, it was the focal point of the religious-civic identity of the Athenian polis. The paper describes how the Parthenon housed the great statue of Athena Parthenos, was the main building in the complex of temples dedicated to the gods on the sacred rock of the Acropolis, depicted some version of the most important Athenian religious ceremony (the Panathenaic procession and festival) and loomed over the city as a reminder and a promise of Athenian greatness.
From the Paper "But there was also a contradiction in being expected to achieve the perfection of the Doric order on a much larger scale, for which adjustments had to be made to the greater number of columns. As Boardman points out, however, the wider fa"ades lent the building a "reassuring breadth which is enhanced by the way its proportions then seem to match those" of the Acropolis on which it stands (112). But this breadth might have been oppressive in its effects if the architects had not devised a means of avoiding too great a visual equivalence between the rock and the temple. Their solution was a very subtle curvature of the stylobate, and the rest of the floor, which is also reflected in the entablature. This also affects the columns which "lean slightly in while the upperworks [that they support] lean slightly out" (Boardman 112). This gives the entire fa"ade a "pyramiding movement" to which all the external lines contribute; ever so subtly, therefore, the columns' inward inclination lends itself to a slight triangular effect that is enhanced by the surmounting pyramid of the pediment (Martin 292)."
A discussion of the complex social, political, and religious framework surrounding the performance of tragedy in 5th century Athens, and an interpretation of Sophocles' "Antigone" as a political play.
Abstract This paper discusses the extent to which tragedy was both a part of and, at the same time, reflected the social, political, and religious climate of 5th century Athens. In particular, the writer examines Sophocles' tragedy "Antigone" as an artwork immersed in, and a product of, this complex social climate. A description of the historical and cultural background of the play is given, focusing on the City Dionysia, the Athenian religious festival dedicated to Dionysus' worship, out of which Athenian tragedy developed. Politically, the composition of "Antigone" coincides with Pericles' further development of the Athenian democratic system. The writer shows that Sophocles in his "Antigone" considers various types of justice, power models and the negative consequences of living under a tyrant, and this would resonate with the Athenian audience who were moving from an oligarchical to a democratic government. The paper concludes that artistic forms and content are rooted in the culture from which they emerge and that tragedy is a social, intellectual, and religious, as well as a political tool.
From the Paper "In the Antigone we are confronted with a clash of wills portrayed through the agonistic struggle of Antigone and Creon, initially, and between Creon and all other characters as the play continues. Set in Thebes (Grene 181), Creon comes to power following the deaths of both of Oedipus' sons, Eteocles and Polyneices. Creon represents the voice of absolute authority; violators of his law are faced with death (line 40). Creon's monarchy is clearly delineated from the direct democracy that the Athenians participated in; to the Athenian, Creon's monarchy clearly reflects the negative aspects of oligarchy, including that of the Spartans."
Tags: strategoi tribute ceremony polis Ekklesia citizen, civic ideology, rhetoric
Abstract This paper will explore the development of the representation of the human figure on classical Greek ceramics. Given the sheer range and scope of the production in question, discussion will be focused on the tradition of the representation of human figures upon Athenian ceramics in particular. As will be seen, this limitation is not entirely arbitrary. While Greek pottery was dominated by Corinthian production for much of its early history, as Athens grew in commercial and political importance it began to dominate the market for ceramics in the Greek world. From about the sixth century BC onwards, it will be argued, the representation of the human figure upon Athenian pottery grew increasingly sophisticated in both technique and theme. As will be seen, gradually the rigid poses and mythological themes yielded to figures and scenes more reflective of the everyday life of the population. This increasing sophistication, to some extent, reflects the prosperity of the Athenian industry and its capacity to bring in artists from outside Athens whose talents were to transform Greek ceramics.
Abstract This paper examines how the military force that the Athenians fielded in the Sicilian Campaign was unprecedented in the Peloponnesian War. It attempts to determine why it was it utterly defeated. It looks at how a series of failures of command from the political and military leadership exacerbated the likely failure of the campaign. It also explores how the end result was a greatly weakened Athens, how there were numerous defections from the Delian League, and how the myth of Athenian invincibility on the seas was shattered.
Outline
Introduction
Discussion
Hubris Within Athens
Hubris Within the Expedition
The Athenian Failures of Command
Counterpoint
Conclusion
From the Paper "The war-time footing on which the Athenians found themselves was difficult for them to maintain. The destruction of their lands and homes outside of the walls of Athens, the plague, and gradual breakdown of the structure of Athenian society led a shift away from Pericles? strategy for victory and away from the unity of purpose and common good within Athens and towards private ambition and gain. By the Melian dialogue, a year or so before the Sicilian Campaign, the Athenians had given up Pericles? conservative approach and limited war aim, the defeat of Sparta, when an Athenian acknowledged that of gods and men, ?by a necessary law of their nature they rule wherever they can.? Though not universal, by 415 B.C., the dominant theme among Athenians was the overbearing belief in their abilities and the growth of the empire."
Tags: hubris, pelopennisian, sicilian, sicily, sparta, thucydides, war
Abstract This paper explores why Socrates' teachings and character were irreconcilable with the civic order and authority of Athenian rule. The paper focuses on the arguments proposed by Socrates in light of the state of Athenian politics. The paper shows how his 'subversive' convictions and arguments on the state of the Athenian social model were seen as a threat that needed to be exterminated.
From the Paper "The first source to draw on when looking at the question, and attempting to gauge the level of potential threat Socrates posed to the state of Athens, is the indictment he was charged with being guilty of in the first place: "This indictment and affidavit is sworn by Meletus, the son of Meletus of Pitthos, against Socrates, the son of Sophroniscus of Alopece. Socrates is guilty of refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state and of introducing other divinities. He is also guilty of corrupting the youth. The penalty demanded is death." First let us look at the religious implications of such a charge."
Abstract This paper discusses how the Athenian democracy was one of the models for the American democratic model. It looks at how in ancient Athens, democracy was truly representative, Athenians decisions were made by voting and how the meetings of the Assembly were frequent and accessible giving citizens the power to benefit by their self-rule. The paper contends that while the Athenian democracy might have served as the model for the American democratic model, in practice, America has fallen short of such a true democracy and that in the U.S., the government is considered an outside entity that is expected to pay for programs or to take on an independent existence separate from the
American citizenry itself.
From the Paper "In addition, many Americans believe that citizenship is mostly about the rights that are due to the individual. They do not necessarily see that there are any duties they are required to perform as citizens. The ancient democratic citizenship of Athens, on the other hand, did entail very real obligations and requirements. For example, one of the main oaths that citizens had to take on together with their Assembly duties included the promise to pass on to one's descendants a fatherland "increased in size and strength." This obviously meant that they combined social, military, financial and religious issues as citizen rulers of a democracy."
Abstract In this essay the character of women and their role in Athenian society at the time of Aristophanes is examined. In the ancient world the idea of women running the city was totally ludicrous and people would laugh at the idea. The paper shows that Aristophanes wrote this play to make people laugh and so not much, if any, of the information in the play can be relied upon to give an accurate picture of how women were treated in Athenian society. Aristophanes gave them a very important position but in reality they were treated as second class citizens.
From the Paper "The general idea of the women of Athens running the city was totally preposterous and would not even be considered as a viable option to solve the city's problems. This was because women held such a low position in Greek society. They had no legal status at all and could not even represent themselves in court if they wanted to."
