Download Periclean Athens - AP European History at University High School

Western Civilization
University High School
2011-12
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Athens vs. Sparta tension rose
after Persian Wars (leading to
Peloponnesian War)
Pericles (494 – 429 BCE):
Athenian statesman who pushed
Athens’ imperialistic aggression
 made Athens the centerpiece
of ancient Greece
 emphasis on art, literature
 construction and development
of the Athenian acropolis
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Parthenon (construction: 447 - 438 BCE)
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temple to Athena (goddess of military victory, justice)
replaced “pre-Parthenon”/“Older Parthenon” (destroyed by
Persians in 480 BCE)
doubled as treasury for Athens
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Statue of Athena inside the Parthenon
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Created by sculptor Phidias
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Temple of Athena
Nike
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“Nike” = “victory”
also on Athenian
acropolis
location for much
worship, sacrifice to
Athena
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Propylaea
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entrance to the Athenian acropolis
large stone gateway made of white and gray marble
controlled entry to acropolis (runaway slaves, treasury, etc.)
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Erechtheum
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temple to Athena and Poseidon, made of marble
stored sacred artifacts, religious relics
supposed burial site of mythical kings and heroes
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Advances in:
 architecture/development of Athens
 art & sculpture
 gods/goddesses in art  like
humans (“anthropomorphic”)
 celebrate the beauty of the ideal
human form
 drama & plays
 paid for by wealthy citizens
 dealt with the role of conflict in
human lives
 Sophocles: Antigone, Oedipus
Rex
 Euripides: themes of flawed
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relatively few material
possessions
Athenians were typically
farmers in the countryside,
craftsmen or public workers
in the city
did have slaves, like most
ancient civilizations
ate lots of grains (wheat,
barley), lentils, olives, figs,
grapes, wine
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not much meat, except for
religious festivals and Spartan
soldiers
 Spartan black broth: boiled pig
legs, blood, salt, vinegar
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“Now I know why Spartans are so willing to die.”
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Man from Sybaris (luxurious Italian city)
“Heretofore all Spartans shall eat in common at the mess
halls in their town and village. No one, no matter who he is,
will be allowed to eat at home, lying on expensive couches
at splendid tables, giving himself over to his cook, who
fattens him and ruins not only his mind but his body,
which is weakened by indulgence and excess, so that it
needs long sleep and warm bathing and freedom from
work—all as if it were constantly sick.” [The kind of food
that would be served at the public mess hall was next
specified. It was very plain, of course.] “No one shall eat at
home privately, secretly, before coming to the public tables.
Everyone will be observed as he eats. Should he repeatedly
show a lack of appetite, his domestic habits will be
investigated. Signed: Lycurgus.”