🏺Intro to Greek Archaeology Unit 5 – The Classical Period

What's This Unit About?

• Covers the Classical Period of Ancient Greece, which spans from the early 5th century BCE to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE
• Explores the political, social, and cultural developments that shaped the Greek world during this time
• Examines the rise of Athens as a dominant power and its conflicts with other city-states (Sparta)
• Investigates the flourishing of art, architecture, literature, and philosophy during the Classical Period
• Analyzes the impact of the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War on Greek society
• Studies the expansion of Greek influence under Alexander the Great and the beginning of the Hellenistic Period

Key Time Periods and Dates

• Early Classical Period (480-450 BCE)
  • Marked by the Greek victories in the Persian Wars and the rise of Athens
• High Classical Period (450-400 BCE)
  • Characterized by the Athenian Golden Age and the construction of the Parthenon
• Late Classical Period (400-323 BCE)
  • Defined by the Peloponnesian War, the rise of Macedon, and the conquests of Alexander the Great
• 480 BCE: Battle of Salamis, decisive Greek victory over the Persians
• 454 BCE: Treasury of the Delian League moved to Athens, marking Athenian dominance
• 431-404 BCE: Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta
• 336-323 BCE: Reign of Alexander the Great

Major Historical Events

• Persian Wars (499-449 BCE)
  • Conflicts between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire
  • Key battles: Marathon (490 BCE), Thermopylae (480 BCE), Salamis (480 BCE), Plataea (479 BCE)
• Delian League (478-404 BCE)
  • Military alliance led by Athens to counter Persian threat
  • Evolved into Athenian empire, causing resentment among other city-states
• Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE)
  • Conflict between Athens and Sparta for dominance in Greece
  • Ended with Spartan victory and the decline of Athenian power
• Rise of Macedon under Philip II (359-336 BCE)
  • United Greek city-states under Macedonian hegemony
• Conquests of Alexander the Great (336-323 BCE)
  • Expanded Greek influence across the Near East and created the Hellenistic world

Art and Architecture Highlights

• Parthenon (447-432 BCE)
  • Iconic temple dedicated to Athena on the Athenian Acropolis
  • Epitomizes Classical Greek architecture with its Doric columns and sculptural frieze
• Sculpture
  • Transition from Archaic to Classical style, emphasizing naturalism and idealized human form
  • Famous works: Kritios Boy, Doryphoros (Spear Bearer) by Polykleitos, Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles
• Vase painting
  • Red-figure technique replaced black-figure, allowing for greater detail and expression
  • Depicted mythological scenes, daily life, and historical events
• Theater
  • Tragedies by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides explored human nature and moral dilemmas
  • Comedies by Aristophanes satirized contemporary Athenian society and politics

Important Archaeological Sites

• Acropolis of Athens
  • Includes the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Propylaea, and Temple of Athena Nike
  • Represents the pinnacle of Classical Greek architecture and urban planning
• Agora of Athens
  • Central public space for political, commercial, and social activities
  • Contains important buildings such as the Stoa of Attalos and the Temple of Hephaestus
• Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi
  • Pan-Hellenic religious center famous for its oracle
  • Features the Temple of Apollo, Treasury of the Athenians, and the theater
• Olympia
  • Site of the ancient Olympic Games held every four years in honor of Zeus
  • Includes the Temple of Zeus, which housed the famous statue of Zeus by Phidias (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World)

Influential Figures and Their Contributions

• Pericles (495-429 BCE)
  • Athenian statesman who led Athens during its Golden Age
  • Initiated the construction of the Parthenon and other public buildings
  • Promoted democracy, arts, and culture
• Phidias (c. 480-430 BCE)
  • Renowned Athenian sculptor who created the statue of Athena Parthenos for the Parthenon and the statue of Zeus at Olympia
• Socrates (c. 470-399 BCE)
  • Athenian philosopher who emphasized critical thinking and questioning of accepted beliefs
  • Taught Plato and influenced the development of Western philosophy
• Plato (c. 428-348 BCE)
  • Athenian philosopher and founder of the Academy
  • Wrote dialogues exploring topics such as justice, love, and the nature of reality
• Aristotle (384-322 BCE)
  • Greek philosopher and polymath who studied under Plato
  • Established the Lyceum and made significant contributions to logic, metaphysics, ethics, and natural sciences

Cultural and Social Developments

• Athenian democracy
  • System of government in which male citizens participated directly in decision-making
  • Reforms of Cleisthenes (508/7 BCE) established the basis for classical Athenian democracy
• Education
  • Emphasis on literacy, music, athletics, and moral instruction
  • Higher education provided by sophists and philosophers
• Gender roles
  • Women were excluded from political life and had limited public roles
  • Spartan women had more freedoms and were encouraged to engage in physical training
• Slavery
  • Integral part of the Greek economy and society
  • Slaves worked in households, agriculture, and industry
• Symposia
  • Male-only drinking parties that served as a forum for intellectual discussion, entertainment, and networking

Archaeological Techniques and Discoveries

• Stratigraphic excavation
  • Systematic removal and recording of layers (strata) of soil to establish a chronological sequence
  • Used to date artifacts and reconstruct the history of a site
• Pottery analysis
  • Study of ceramic styles, production techniques, and distribution patterns
  • Helps establish chronologies and identify trade networks
• Epigraphy
  • Study of inscriptions on stone, metal, or clay
  • Provides valuable information about laws, decrees, dedications, and historical events
• Numismatics
  • Study of coins and their production, circulation, and iconography
  • Offers insights into economic systems, political propaganda, and artistic styles
• Underwater archaeology
  • Exploration of shipwrecks and submerged sites
  • Notable discoveries include the Antikythera mechanism (an ancient astronomical computer) and the Riace bronzes (two Greek warrior statues)

Why It Matters Today

• Influence on Western civilization
  • Classical Greek culture has had a profound impact on art, architecture, literature, philosophy, and political thought in the Western world
• Democracy
  • The Athenian model of direct democracy has inspired modern democratic systems and debates about citizen participation
• Humanism
  • The Greek emphasis on human potential, rationality, and individual achievement has shaped Western values and education
• Scientific inquiry
  • Greek thinkers laid the foundations for many branches of science, including mathematics, astronomy, biology, and medicine
• Preservation and appreciation of cultural heritage
  • The study of Classical Greek archaeology helps us understand and appreciate the achievements of this influential civilization
  • Archaeological sites and museums attract millions of visitors each year, contributing to cultural tourism and the global economy