Hellenistic Civilization (cont'd); Dionysus rocks
I. The goal of the new philosophies: a-pathy
A. Stoicism (Zeno 335-263 B.C.): Thy will be done
B. Epicureanism (Epicurus 341-270 B.C.): a material world, atoms
II. Learning and Inventiveness
A. math and science:1. Eratosthenes (285-194 B.C.): circumference of earth (see A&L p. 204)
2. Archimedes (287-212 B.C.): specific gravity
3. heliocentrism, world as globeB. Library of Alexandria; Septuagint
C. technology and gizmos; mechane; Hero of Alexandria (1st cent.)
D. medicine:1. Herophilus (330-260 B.C.): anatomy, vivisection; discovers cerebrum, cerebellum, spinal cord, ovaries, fallopian tube, etc.
2. Context: magic, temple healing (Asclepius)
III. Euripides' last play (406 in Macedonia); echoes of earlier tragedies: Thebes, role of chorus, divine (in)justice, role of women, recognition scene, hybris; deus ex machina
IV. The Cult of Dio-nysus
A. origins: Semele (sister of Agave); Minoan/Mycenean religion; Greek or Asian?; conquest of India (cf. lines 10ff.) --powerful and associated with other deities: 275ff. (Demeter), 307-28 (Apollo and Delphi), 402 (Aphrodite), Muses (410), Olympus (560)B. characteristics (myth vs. cult): ekstasis (play on this in line 359), enthusiasmos, mania, sparagmos, omophagia (cf. 738ff.,1130ff.)
C. the gospel according to Dionysus in the choral odes: 65ff., 386-430, 902ff., 1003ff.: Luckenbach, TX, only more vital
Please bring texts of Euripides' Bacchae to class.