Week 4 Writing Prompts
4a. It is something of a truism that we inherited our basic notions of political freedom and democracy from the ancient Greeks. What did the Greeks seem to mean by "freedom?" What differences do you see between their meaning and ours?

4b. Comment on the problems of social stability and change in times of crisis, using Plato's works as your points of reference. How much social criticism or change can a society in crisis tolerate? Is there a limit? When does criticism (direct or indirect) of accepted beliefs and practices become unacceptably corrosive for a society? What was the greatest threat Socrates and his "mission" posed to Athens and its way of life? Or, if he did not pose a threat, why was he perceived to be a threat?

4c. The selections on the status of women provide a range of comments on women and their place in society. Using the primary sources you have seen, evaluate the position of women in classical Greek society. Remember, you must attempt to reconcile opposing views when you see them.

4d. In what ways do the views expressed by Megabyzus correspond to modern American attitudes? What are the chief differences between the Greeks and the Persians as seen by the Herodotus?



Readings for 9/23

The readings on Greek women provide a range of opinions on women. Be prepared to describe the nature of the various views. What patterns do you detect? What kinds of behaviors are censored? Which are praised? Are all women viewed the same, or are there different kinds or types of women?

Herodotus provides an interesting description of the various types of governments available. What were Darius's arguments in favor of monarchy? What were the arguments in favor of oligarchy? Democracy?

Readings for 9/25

How do the "atomist" readings represent a significantly different attitude, or worldview, than that of earlier Greeks, or peoples of the Near East? What is the connection between these natural philosophers and Socrates?

How would you describe Socrates's objectives and methods? What kinds of questions interested Socrates? What were the charges against him in the Apology? What was his defence? In what ways was Socrates very different from the "average" Greek? In what ways was he very much a man of his time and place? Was Socrates guilty? Why or why not?

Writing Prompts for Weeks 1-3
Week 1

Describe the values and society as found in the Precepts of Ptah-Hotep.

What, if anything, is the significance of flood story in the Gilgamesh epic for our understanding of the expansion and modification of civilization?

Week 2

How would you compare the civilization of the early Greeks as represented in the Iliad with that of the Near Eastern peoples around them? Is there anything in the presentation of these early Greeks that suggests anything significantly different from the peoples of the Near East?

Week 3

Perry comments that Homer's works demonstrated the attitude that there was a universal order to the world. Do the readings this week support this contention? Comment.

How is it that states as different from one another as Sparta and Athens could be considered representatives of the polis ideal?

Announcement!!
Please note that a more detailed assignment sheet is now available on the syllabus.

Readings for September 16
Perry suggests that the rise of the polis marked a "break with theocratic politics." "The polis gave individuals a sense of belonging, for its citizens were intimately involved in the political and cultural life of the community. . . . In the fifth century B.C., at its maturity, the Greeks viewed their polis as the only avenue to the good life- `the only framework within which man could realize his spiritual, moral, and intellectual capacities'. . ."

How do the speech by Pericles, Solon's poetry, the play Antigone, and the description of Sparta support the above statements? In what ways do these readings raise questions about the nature of the polis?
What are the chief issues in Antigone? How are these issues reflected in the words of Solon?
How do Athens and Sparta compare?

How does the poetry of the ancient Greeks enhance our understanding of early classical Greek civilization?

Based on the primary sources, what kinds of comparisons could you make between Greek and Near Eastern civilizations?

Readings for Thursday, Sept. 11.
Iliad

Bk. I

What is the nature of the dispute between Agememnon and Achilles? Why is Achilles upset? Why is Agememnon considered the greater king?
How would you describe the values of these men? What is important to them? How would you describe their political and social systems? What do we learn about their religious beliefs and practices?

Bk. XXI

Describe the weaponry and style of battle of the ancient Greeks. What do you think of Achilles' behavior? What did the Greeks think of it?

Bk. XXIII

What do we learn about Greek religious beliefs in the early periods? How did Greek attitudes towards their gods compare to attitudes in the Middle East?
How would you describe the level of "civilization" among the Greeks depicted here? Wealth? Technology? Social and economic organization?

If Achilles is the "ideal man" of the early Greeks, what were the qualities that the Greeks valued?

Readings for 9/9
Please be prepared to discuss the following questions in class on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

What kinds of concerns are reflected in the excerpts from the Codes of the Nesilim and the Assyrians? What similarities or differences do you see to the Code of Hammurabi?

What is the relationship of God to the Hebrews in the excerpts from Exodus? To other people? What kinds of concerns are reflected in the excerpts you read? What similarities to or differences from the other legal codes do you see? How would you compare the Hebrews to their rough contemporaries in the Middle East?