Mycenaean Age (1100- 750 BCE) - AP European History

The Athenian style of art became the standard for classical art. Their attention to detail combined with a focus on grace and idealistic form established the tradition for art for centuries. Modern and Abstract art are trends of the twentieth and twenty first century. Cave paintings predate the work of the Greeks to prehistoric times. Decorative art is another term for abstract, botanic and scenic art.

The Athenians believed strongly in freedom and public discussion. They recognized that the humor of the comedies, while a bit bawdy and crude, was presented to make them think about events and activities in Athens and correct the mistakes made in political activities or social contact. Life, for the Athenians, was not a witticism. The comedies were intended to teach a lesson in a lighthearted manner. The plays were paid for by wealthy citizens of Athens to make attendance free and open to the public. The playwrights of the comedies were free to express their satire in any manner or form. One would say it was “no holds barred” with their comedy. The Greeks playwrights were free to write their satire, as stinging as it may have been, without fear of punishment.

Alcman of Sparta was a Spartan choral lyrical poet. He is one of the famous “nine lyric poets” of the Greek Archaic Era. Alcman wrote many poems praising Spartan society and celebrating martial prowess. These poems were traditionally performed, accompanied by music, in large groups at Spartan public gatherings and religious festivals.

Diogenes of Sinope is a noted cynic more remembered for his prominent role in the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche and various stories about him than his actually enumerated philosophical thinking. Diogenes rejected the academic life, and was never a member of Plato's Academy. In fact, Diogenes' most notable interaction with Plato came when Diogenes humiliated Plato by disproving Plato's definition of a man. While Diogenes did wander between cities, he was not a religious ascetic.

It is true that Diogenes lived in an empty wine bucket by choice. For some time his only possession was a wooden bowl, which he destroyed after seeing a peasant boy eat with his hands. He would also wander the streets in broad daylight carrying a lantern and shouting that he was looking for a just man.

In his most famous work The Republic, Plato presents his idea of a government ruled by “Philosopher Kings.” Plato believed that in order for society to be ruled benevolently and most effectively either philosophers needed to rule or kings needed to embrace philosophy.

In the ancient Greek pantheon, Hermes was the messenger God. Hermes often appears in Greek mythology as a guide for heroes and assists them in their quests.

Socrates was infamously put to death on charges of "Corrupting the Youth of Athens", and his intellectual successor Plato lived and taught there as well, so Athens would be the best choice. Sparta was not known for its philosophy or intellectual life and Socrates did not live there, so it would not be a good answer. Argos was a city-state at the time of Socrates, however he had no ties there, so it too would not be a good choice. Corinth, too, was a city-state that existed in that period but had no ties to Socrates, so it too would not be a good answer. Finally, Macedon was a more traditional kingdom in the mainland of Greece, so as it was not a city-state at all, it would not be a good choice.

The Republic is one of Plato's better known works, and in it he posits the ideal form of government and famously explores the idea of the philosopher king, so that would be the best choice. Democracy and Theology do not refer to any one work, but rather to entire systems of government, and as such they would not be good choices. Finally, Gorgias is a Socratic dialogue, and while it was recorded by Plato it was not his work directly, nor did it discuss social organization, so it would not be a good answer.

Aristotle was a student of Plato and attended the Academy in Athens, as well as tutoring Alexander the Great, so he would be the best choice. Socrates predated the Academy and taught Plato himself, so he would not be a good choice for this question. Epicurus was a child roughly when Alexander the Great was coming to power and Archimedes lived many years after him, so neither of them would be good answers.

Plato is arguably most famous for The Allegory of the Cave, in which he describes the World of Forms, and he founded the Academy, so he would be the best choice. Socrates was Plato's teacher and he did not have a concept of the World of Forms, so he would not be a good answer. Aristotle was taught by Plato and he attended the Academy himself, so he would not be the best choice. Lastly, Epicurus and Archimedes did not conceive of the World of Forms nor did they have any ties to the Academy, so they would not be good choices for this question.

Plato’s Republic was written in the fourth century BCE. It is one of the most important philosophical works of all time and remains widely influential today. The Republic is written in the style of a Socratic dialogue. It focuses on questions of justice in Greek society and how to most justly govern a society.

Demeter is the Greek Goddess of fertility and the harvest. She is important in Greek mythology because she is believed to have introduced agriculture to the prehistoric Greek people. Demeter was revered in ancient Greek society and was the subject of widespread cult worship.

In Greek mythology Prometheus is a tragic figure. He introduces fire to mankind and in doing so greatly improves the standard of living. But, this was apparently not part of Zeus’ plan and Zeus condemned Prometheus to eternal torture.

The Greek Goddess Demeter was believed to have introduced agriculture to the Greek people. She was revered as the Goddess of fertility and the harvest, and was the subject of cult-like worship in many ancient Greek societies.

Epicurus was a Greek philosopher who lived in the fourth and third centuries BCE in Athens. He is most famous for founding the school of philosophy, Epicureanism, which bears his name. Epicurus advocated for a philosophy built around the pursuit of pleasure through knowledge acquisition. He sought freedom from fear and release from pain.

King Oedipus blinded himself when he discovered that (unbeknownst to him), he had murdered his father and married his mother. He was so upset that he blinded himself in shame. It is helpful to remember that there is a concept in psychology called the "Oedipus Complex," which describes an individual's sexual attraction to the parent of the opposite sex. This concept is derived from the story of King Oedipus.

Jason and the Argonauts were searching for the Golden Fleece. When Jason was a baby his throne was stolen by his half-uncle Pelias. As an adult, Jason challenged Pelias for the throne and Pelias only agreed to step down if Jason presented him with the mythical Golden Fleece.

Heracles was NOT asked to defeat the monster Charybdis. Charybdis was a sea monster, commonly pictured as a giant whirlpool that Odysseus had to navigate on his way back from the Trojan War.

Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that was established by Zeno, in Athens, in the third century BCE. Stoicism emphasizes personal conduct and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. It is often compared and contrasted with Epicureanism. Epicureanism teaches that the pursuit of pleasure is the most important aspect of one’s life. Although, what exactly constitutes “pleasure” is generally misunderstood.

Epicureanism is a philosophy that was developed in ancient Greece by the philosopher Epicurus. It was founded in the late-fourth century BCE. Epicureanism emphasizes the pursuit of pleasure through the acquisition of knowledge and through moderate living. It is often misunderstood as a sort of hedonism, but Epicurus actually advocated for a much stricter style of living.