10/16/2011. Lecture 13: Citizenship and the Ideal of Civic Harmony HIST 180 A C R O P O L I S

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1 Lecture 13: Citizenship and the Ideal of Civic Harmony HIST 180 A C R O P O L I S 1

2 Mathematically pleasing Principle of mathematical proportionality number of pillars similar to others around Greek world Pythagorean belief numbers and mathematical harmonies the foundation of beauty and order in the universe Parthenon: Apogee of Culture started in 448 completed in 432 BCE Parthenon considered the highpoint of Greek Art attests to political self presentation spoils of Delian League demonstrates mastery over barbarians those without Greek culture 2

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4 Parthenon Frieze Poseidon, Apollo and Artemis; East frieze of Parthenon Amazonomachy (west frieze) part of the frieze dealing with warlike women marble Metopes movies/acropolis_tour1a_fs.html movies/marbles2.html 4

5 Panathenaia Frieze Doric plain (Sparta) Ionic Orders in the Capitals rolled like papyrus Athens Corinthian very ornate Corinth wealthy 5

6 Agricultural Festivals insufficiently understood predominantly religious gave members of the polis a chance to participate those not represented in war or politics rituals that incorporated: anxiety and fear relief and gratitude Thesmophoria occurred in Fall honor of Demeter (grain) only women pigs thrown into snake pits women lowered 3 days later to scoop up putrefied remains placed on alter with grain seeds and possibly Persephone in Hades The Panathenaia Civic festival sponsored by city of Athens dedicated to Pallas Athena entire city participated women held prominent role in ceremony walked through the entire city to the Acropolis 6

7 Athenian Demography Athens adult population: ~300, ,000 foreigners and slaves (not citizens) 100,000 women and others 50,000 male citizens with voting rights direct democracy the citizen had to be there to vote (typically 5,000-6,000 voted at a time) Those Who Could Not Vote women had few rights and opportunities linked to household of husband/father slaves played a major role in the economy domestic and mining metics foreign workers usually highly skilled with no political rights Voting in the Assembly The central events of the Athenian democracy were the meetings of the assembly ἐκκλησία ekklesia members were not elected, but attended by right when they chose Greek democracy created at Athens was a direct form not a representative democracy: any adult male citizen of age could take part 7

8 Ostracism Once a year, citizens voted on who should be ostracized from the polis ostrica or pot sherd Story of Themistocles What was the Ideal Citizen? Kritios Boy (490 BCE) start of Classical Period natural in form torso in mid-line looking off to the left muscle definition short, athlete haircut Ideal Form Doryphoros (440 BCE) spear-carrier High Classical Polykleitos Ideal image of a human being original in bronze more realism organic connection weight-bearing arm 8

9 Philosophical connections Greek philosophers expressed idea as closer to or father away from the ideal form. Aristotle, Politics (340 BCE) Of the above-mentioned forms, the perversions are as follows: of monarchy, tyranny; of aristocracy, oligarchy; of polity, democracy. Aristotle s Ideal Forms: Tyranny: kind of monarchy which has in view the interest of the monarch only; exercising the rule of a master over the political society. Oligarchy: the interest of the wealthy; when men of property have the government in their hands. Democracy, the needy: none of them the common good of all; the opposite, when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers Aristotle on the perfect form of government Then ought the good to rule and have supreme power? But in that case everybody else, being excluded from power, will be dishonored. For the offices of a state are posts of honor; and if one set of men always holds them, the rest must be deprived of them. Then will it be well that the one best man should rule? 9