Unit 3: The Greek Century.
readings:
Hunt, The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures, ch. 3 (pp. 83-121).
QUIZ will be on Key Terms in Hunt, p. 121.
Questions on Hunt
Ch. 3 (pp. 83-121)
1. What were the major causes of the Persian wars? What did the Persians want and what did the Greeks want from the war and why? And while we're on the subject, who won and why?
2. How did their victory over the Persians affect the attitudes of the people of Athens? For instance, how did they treat the other members of the Delian League? Did Athen's new power affect its citizens' attitudes towards democracy? Explain.
3. Explain how democracy in Athens actually worked in the mid 400s BCE. For example, who had rights as citizens, how were government officials chosen, who had protection under the law? And while we're on the subject, did everyone in Athens support the principle of democracy?
4. Trade, plunder, and military power made Athens very rich in the 400s BCE. How did the people of Athens use this new wealth, how did it affect their culture and religion, and did all people benefit equally?
5. Greece in this era is famous for its philosophers. Who were the most important philosophers of this period, what did they "teach," and why did so many people consider philosophy a threat to traditional values?
6. Besides philosophy and architecture, what were the other most important innovations and achievements of Greek culture in this time period and what do they tell us about the Greek view of the world and of humanity?
7. What was the Peloponnesian War, and what brought an end to the "Golden Age" of Athens?
BIG QUESTION: Think about the entire chapter. The great power and influence of Athens began with a war and ended with a war. Besides the obvious (people killing other people on the battle field), how had warfare and its results changed Greek society? Give examples to defend your position.
Questions on Lualdi
We will focus on two documents for this unit: Thucydides, "The Funeral Oration of Pericles"(pp.53-56) and Plato, "The Apology of Socrates" (pp. 56-61).
Answer the "Six Questions" for both documents:
OK. Here are the main discussion questions for these documents:
1. What is similar and what is different in these two descriptions of the values and attitudes of the people of Athens? Explain, using the evidence!
2. When you compare these two documents, what do you find that helps explain why some Greeks considered philosophers a threat to traditional values? Explain, using the evidence!