Notes on Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece

The Ancient Greeks contributed much to the development of Western culture in so many different areas: alphabet, drama, comedy, poetry, politics, democracy, medicine, architecture, sculpture and philosophy. Much of the Greek experience remains deeply embedded in the Western world today; and not just as letters to distinguish one fraternity or sorority from another. The Greek use of rational thought, and not supernatural explanation, to understand the natural world formed the basis of Western philosophy and science. Greek appreciation of the value and beauty of the individual were crucial to the ensuing artistic and aesthetic history of the West. The Greeks also developed the idea and practice of "democracy," an idea and practice new in the ancient world and much different than the current understanding and use of the concept.

Whereas the Hebrews provided an ethical religion for the West (in the form of Judaism and the idea of ethical monotheism), the Ancient Greeks provided an ethical philosophy. Both focused on the role of the individual (and not community responsibility), and both complemented each other (ethical irrationalism in the form of religion and ethical rationalism in the form of philosophy) when merged later in Christianity. Not sure if that makes much sense.
Some recommended online lectures and websites:

Origins of Democracy, Steven Kreis
Greek Philosophy, Steven Kreis
How Democratic Was Athens? (also at How Democratic Was Athens? as a *.pdf file), remarks by Professor Gerhard Rempel, Western New England College. Some good commentary on the functioning of democratic Athens.
The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization is an excellent site that accompanies the PBS series. See, for example, the page on Pericles.
The Democratic Experiment by Paul Cartledge is part of the BBC history website and offers a good assessment about the extent of Greek democracy.
Dr. J's Illustrated Pericles' Funeral Oration by Janice Siegel, Illinois State University, is a rather interesting take on Pericles.
Classical Greece by Charles Kimball
The Golden Age of Greece, from Matt Barrett's Travel Guide
Ancient Greece--Democracy in Ancient Athens is a powerpoint presentation on Youtube
For extra credit please suggest to your instructor a relevant website for this unit of the course.
Send the title of the site, the url and a brief explanation why you find the information interesting and applicable to the material being studied in this unit.