Reference no: EM133204368 , Length: 6 Pages
1. What aspects of Bronze Age Mycenaean and Minoan civilizations might have inspired Greeks of later eras (such as the Dark Age and the Archaic and Classical periods) to imagine that their Bronze Age ancestors were supremely accomplished and heroic or powerful people?
2. Compare and contrast Herodotus and Thucydides in terms of their attitudes and approaches to the writing of history in ancient Greece. Why do we consider their writings to be works of history in comparison to the storytelling of Homer, whose epic poems may depict elements of both Bronze Age and Dark Age Greek civilization?
3. Identify various influences that divided Greek-speaking peoples as well as various influences that helped to unify them. Be sure to consider potential physical, political, and cultural varieties of influence. Do you believe that one of these categories of influences (either the divisive or the unifying) was clearly more powerful than the other; or could each be as significant as the other, depending on the context?
4. Would you rather have been a male citizen of Sparta or of Athens? In explaining your choice, be sure to account for the major characteristics of government in each polis, as well as the opportunities available to citizens to participate in public life and pursue their own interests.
5. The women of Sparta appear to have been freer and more influential within their polis than the women of Athens were within their own polis. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? In justifying your position, be sure to consider societal expectations of women, including roles and responsibilities, as well as opportunities and limitations that women would have experienced in their households and communities.
6. Compare and contrast hoplite military forces during the Archaic and Classical periods with the Macedonian army of Philip II and Alexander the Great. In doing so, outline their organization, equipment, and general methods of fighting. Would you say that the Macedonian way of waging war represented an improvement over earlier and contemporary practices by other Greeks? In answering this question, be sure to define what you mean by "improvement" in order to further justify your position.
7. Heroic qualities were admired by many ancient Greeks. Briefly summarize the qualities and achievements of Pericles, Socrates, and Alexander the Great (assuming that our ancient sources of information about these individuals are reasonably accurate). If you believe that one of these three individuals clearly was more heroic than the others, identify who it was and explain why. If you regard none of them as being particularly heroic, explain why. You are welcome to apply your own personal standards and perspective on what constitutes heroism.
8. Would you rate the development and operation of democratic government in Athens during the Archaic and Classical periods as being successful or unsuccessful? In answering this question, be sure to consider the major contributions of individuals such as Solon and Cleisthenes, as well as additional refinements in Athens' government during the Classical period.
Be sure as well to define what you mean by "successful" or "unsuccessful."