1. The Archaic polis in Hesiod, Works and Days

• agriculture
• trades: e.g. potters
• political and judicial authority in hands of basileeis (sing. basileus)
• legal disputes: from private to public concern
• no written law code
• justice: dike
• hybris ("dishonor,") and divine justice (Zeus and Dike)

2.Law and Justice

A. Lawgivers: e.g., Solon of Athens (594)

B. Attitudes toward Law (nomos)

i. laws "of Solon"; implications

ii. law as abstraction:

Demaratus to Xerxes (Herodotus 7.104): "Fighting together the Spartans are the best fighters in the world. They are free, yes, but they are not entirely free; for they have a master and that master is Law, which they fear much more than your subjects fear you. Whatever this master commands, they do."

Pericles to the Athenians (Thucydides 2.37): "fear makes us obey magistrates and the laws, especially those that protect those having suffered injustice, and as many as are unwritten that would bring acknowledged disgrace if broken"

iii. law as sanctioned by the gods (Apollo)

 3. Tyrants  

e.g., Peisistratus of Athens: 546-525 B.C., Hippias: 525-510 B.C.

4. Hoplites and the hoplite phalanx: 7th century

• (from hoplon, "shield")
• increased availability of iron
• increase in wealth
  • Chigi vase (ca. 640)

    hoplite (red figure vase painting, ca. 480)

    Laconian hoplite

    phalanx (later)

  A. nature of warfare

  B. political and social consequences

  • group over individual values
  • communal bond and obligation
  • link between military contribution and political rights or power
  • solidarity of group reinforced by marginalization of others in community

5. Greek Civic Religion

A. Fundamentals and characteristics

i. polytheistic and anthropomorphic

ii. pervasiveness: the polis as a religious association

iii. commonality

iv. no dogma or priestly caste with special knowledge

B. Goals

i. practical: here and now

views of death

do ut des ("I give so that you give")

exceptions: mystery religions

ii. ritual and reciprocity: piety expressed in behavior

 

temples, altars, and festivals

Parthenon

model of Acropolis

reconstructed statue of Athena

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Updated Saturday, 01-Oct-2005 10:49:53 CDT