The Greek Polis

Theme: Greeks develop a unique social system and outlook on the world

I. Rise of the Polis

     A. self-sufficient communities

            1. fortress-city and surrounding area

            2. defend themselves with phalanx armies

                 a. phalanx in operation [movie Alexander]

            3. phalanx warfare encourages male comaraderie

            4. power and wealth of polis enhanced by colonization and trade

     B. tendency towards democracy

            1. small size of polis helps make it possible

            2. phalanx warfare places emphasis on male equality

            3. wealth of polis spreads opportunity and ambition

II. Social Life of the Polis

      A. sexual segregation and male dominance

            1. Sparta is the extreme example

            2. Athenian symposium

      B. citizenship and monogamy

      C. Slavery

II. Greek Religion

     A. Mesopotamian and Egyptian influences, but also shaped by Greek tradition and society

     B. Greeks tend to see humans and gods and more alike than others

            1. human-like gods and god-like humans

            2. A polis of gods--the Olympian gods

            3. Homer's epics, Iliad and Odyssey

                        a. demi-god warrior-heroes such as Achilles and Odesseus

                        b. gods choose their favorite human heroes and help them

            4. heroic ideal represented in statues ("korous" and "kore")

     C. Greeks develop unique religious observances, notably athletics and drama

III. Athletics

     A. Olympic events

            1. foot races, chariot races, wrestling, boxing, pentathlon

            2. individual, military skills

            3. by men, for men

            4. designed to discover the best individual

    B. Athletics reflects the Greek notion of human excellence

            1. emulation of Homeric heroes--godlike warriors, beloved of the gods

                        a. poems of exaltation

            2. athletes honor gods by emulating and entertaining them

IV. Drama

    A. Tradition of tragic drama, especially in Athens. 

            1. attempts to reveal the human condition and encourage a religious sensibility

            2. plot involves a great man who is ruined by his own greatness

    B. Primary theme of drama is that humans are god-like, but not gods

            1. humans should remain humble and respectful of the gods

            2. plays were a corrective antithesis to Greek emphasis on the heroic individual

    C. example of Sophocles's Oedipus Rex

            1. his attempt to escape his dark fate actually leads him to this terrible fate

            2. he recognizes his foolish blindness at the end by gouging out his eyes