Question

global history
achievements of greece ii
name _______________

1. name three mathematicians/scientists and describe their contributions.

a.
b.
c.

1. how did greek pottery style change over time?

early
later
latest

1. what types of things were depicted in greek pottery?
2. what does philosopher mean?
3. what did greek thought focus on?
4. what did socrates mean when he said the unexamined life is not worth living?
5. who taught who? list from socrates to alexander.
6. name three greek playwrights and describe their styles.

a.
b.
c.

Answer:

Question 1: Name three mathematicians/scientists and describe their contributions.

a. Pythagoras

• Contribution: Known for the Pythagorean theorem ($a^2 + b^2 = c^2$ for a right - angled triangle, where $c$ is the hypotenuse and $a,b$ are the other two sides). He also made contributions to the study of music and the concept of numbers in a philosophical - mathematical context, founding a philosophical and religious school that emphasized the importance of numbers in understanding the universe.

b. Euclid

• Contribution: Wrote "Elements", a comprehensive work on geometry. It provided a systematic approach to geometry, including definitions, postulates, and theorems. His work laid the foundation for Euclidean geometry, which is still widely studied and used in various fields such as architecture, engineering, and mathematics education.

c. Archimedes

• Contribution: Made significant contributions to mathematics (especially in the area of calculus - like concepts of finding areas and volumes of curved figures), physics (discovered the principle of buoyancy - Archimedes' principle: the upward buoyant force that is exerted on a body immersed in a fluid, whether fully or partially, is equal to the weight of the fluid that the body displaces, $F_b=

ho Vg$, where $
ho$ is the density of the fluid, $V$ is the volume of the displaced fluid, and $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity), and engineering (designed various machines like the Archimedes' screw for lifting water).

Question 2: How did Greek pottery style change over time?

Period	Style Description
Later (e.g., Archaic period)	The pottery started to feature more figurative art, especially of humans (like the "Archaic smile" on human figures). The geometric patterns were still present but began to be combined with or replaced by scenes of daily life, mythology, and battles. The shapes of the pottery became more refined, with more attention to proportions.
Latest (e.g., Classical period)	The pottery reached a high level of artistic achievement. The figures were more naturalistic, with better - proportioned human bodies and more detailed facial expressions. The scenes depicted were often from Greek mythology or historical events, and the pottery was not only functional but also highly decorative. The techniques of painting (like the red - figure and black - figure techniques) were highly developed, with the red - figure technique allowing for more detailed and realistic depictions of figures.

Question 3: What types of things were depicted in Greek pottery?

• Mythological scenes: Stories from Greek mythology, such as the adventures of Heracles, the battles between gods and monsters, or the stories of the Trojan War. For example, scenes of Zeus in his chariot or Perseus slaying Medusa.
• Daily life: Activities like farming, fishing, feasting, and the work of artisans. These scenes give us an insight into the ordinary life of the ancient Greeks.
• Battles and warfare: Depictions of soldiers in battle, both on land (with hoplites in their distinctive armor) and at sea (with warships and naval battles).
• Religious rituals: Scenes related to the worship of gods, like sacrifices at altars or processions to temples.

Question 4: What does philosopher mean?

A philosopher is a person who engages in the activity of philosophy. Etymologically, the word "philosopher" comes from the Greek words "philo" (love) and "sophia" (wisdom), so a philosopher is a "lover of wisdom". Philosophers seek to understand fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language through rational inquiry, critical thinking, and systematic analysis. They may develop theories, question assumptions, and explore the nature of reality, morality, and the human condition.

Question 5: What did Greek thought focus on?

Greek thought focused on several key areas:

• Understanding the natural world: Early Greek philosophers (the pre - Socratics) tried to explain natural phenomena without relying on mythological explanations. For example, Thales proposed that water was the fundamental substance of the universe, and Anaximander proposed the concept of the "apeiron" (the boundless) as the source of all things.
• Ethics and the good life: Philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were concerned with questions about how humans should live. Socrates focused on the pursuit of virtue and self - knowledge, Plato explored the nature of justice and the ideal state in "The Republic", and Aristotle studied ethics in terms of achieving eudaimonia (human flourishing) through the cultivation of virtues.
• Logic and reasoning: Greek thinkers developed systems of logic (especially Aristotle with his syllogistic logic) to help in the process of argumentation, inquiry, and the acquisition of knowledge.
• Aesthetics and art: They also thought about the nature of beauty, the role of art in society, and the principles of artistic creation, as seen in the works of philosophers like Plato (who had a complex view of art in "The Republic") and Aristotle (who wrote about tragedy in "Poetics").
• Politics and society: Questions about the best form of government, the rights and duties of citizens, and the nature of a just society were central to Greek thought, as seen in the works of Plato (on the ideal state) and Aristotle (on different forms of government like democracy, oligarchy, and monarchy).

Question 6: What did Socrates mean when he said 'the unexamined life is not worth living'?

Socrates believed that human beings have a responsibility to reflect on their lives, their values, their beliefs, and their actions. The "examined life" involves self - reflection, critical thinking about one's own character, and the pursuit of knowledge about what is good, just, and true. He thought that if a person does not engage in this kind of self - examination, they are simply going through the motions of life without really understanding the meaning and purpose of their existence. Without examining one's life, a person may be led by unreflective desires, social conventions, or false beliefs, and thus not be living a truly human or meaningful life. For Socrates, the process of self - examination (often through the method of questioning, known as the Socratic method) was essential for moral and intellectual growth.

Question 7: Who taught who? List from Socrates to Alexander.

• Socrates taught Plato. Socrates' method of questioning and his focus on ethics and knowledge had a profound influence on Plato.
• Plato taught Aristotle. Aristotle studied at Plato's Academy for many years, and while he later developed his own philosophical system that differed in some aspects from Plato's, he was deeply influenced by Plato's ideas.
• Aristotle taught Alexander the Great. Aristotle was the tutor of the young Alexander, and he taught him a wide range of subjects including philosophy, science, and literature, which had an impact on Alexander's worldview and his approach to leadership and conquest.

Question 8: Name three Greek playwrights and describe their styles.

a. Aeschylus

• Style: He is often called the "father of tragedy". His plays are known for their grandeur, the use of the chorus as an important part of the drama (the chorus would comment on the action, provide background information, and express the emotions of the community), and the exploration of themes like fate, justice, and the relationship between gods and humans. His plays, such as "The Oresteia" trilogy, have complex plots and deal with serious moral and theological issues. He also introduced the use of a second actor on stage, which expanded the possibilities for dialogue and dramatic interaction.

b. Sophocles

• Style: Sophocles' plays are characterized by their focus on the individual and the human condition. He introduced the third actor, which allowed for more complex character interactions. His plays, like "Oedipus Rex", are known for their tightly - constructed plots (with elements of dramatic irony, where the audience knows more than the characters), and the exploration of themes like fate, free will, and the nature of human suffering. His characters are often noble figures who are brought down by a tragic flaw (hamartia), and his plays have a sense of psychological depth.

c. Euripides

• Style: Euripides' plays are more realistic in their portrayal of human characters and emotions. He often depicted ordinary people (not just noble heroes) and their struggles, and his plays were more critical of traditional Greek values and the gods. His works, like "Medea", explore themes of passion, revenge, and the position of women in society. The chorus in his plays has a less central role than in the plays of Aeschylus and Sophocles, and his dialogue is more naturalistic, reflecting the speech of everyday people.