John Haberstroh HIST 211 Winter 2017 Dr. Salzman
Aelius Aristides on the Athenian and Roman Empires: Μόνος and Φιλανθρωπία in the Panathenaicus and Roman Oration
Introduction
By the first century BC, the Rome had become a Pan-Mediterranean Empire. Its imperial apparatus spanned from Britain to Egypt and included a diverse body of peoples. The Romans inherited in their eastern provinces a world with a long tradition of cities and urbanism.1 Cities were a major factor in how the Roman Empire governed, and cities formed a traditional locus of social, political, and economic organization. Thoughts on cities during the second century AD continued to be seen as important hubs of society within the Roman Empire. By the middle of
the
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1 (1968): 1– 223, except where noted. All references to the Panathenaicus are noted according to Oliver’s number as well as
Haberstroh 2
The Second Sophistic and Aelius Aristides
Despite being separated by over five years, Greek writers of the Second Sophistic discussed themes of Classical Greece with a sense of immediacy. The early third century writer
Philostratus coined the term “Second Sophistic” (δεύτερα σοφιστική) to describe type of oratory practiced by Attic orators in the fourth century BC, most notably Aeschines.3 Education, or paideia, is seen as a defining characteristic of the Second Sophistic, and as stated above, is most associated with oratory and rhetoric.4 Paideia was a cultural category, though one not completely detached from ethnicity, as Adam Kemezis has argued, but it was a “shared system of reference and expectation,” according to Goldhill.5 What is most important, however, is that paideia was a pursuit reserved for men in the elite classes, and Aristides embodies a man of such standing and cultural training.6 Adam Kemezis defined the Second Sophistic as “a technical term generally used to refer both to a body of writings and to a set of cultural practices of which those writings were a part.”7 Simon Goldhill has pointed to the various problems with the term, namely that there existed no uniform agenda of the writers, the lack of an agreed upon group of genres, and a
Aeneas, the titular hero of Virgil’s Aeneid, is the flawed Trojan hero sent on a divine quest to found the new Troy and establish the basis for the Roman Empire. Along this journey, he is pushed to his limits both mentally and physically. This strain shows him to be a deeply Roman hero, especially in the values that come forward in his actions and response to tragedy. He embodies two major Roman values: pietas and respect for family, both past and future.
“In generosity, we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours” (Thucydides). The claimed kind, favor oriented nature of Athens shown here must have been a point of pride for the people. It contrasts against the militaristic nature of the Spartans and the Persian Empire. This line earned praise from Pericles’ audience not because of his Athenian audience, but because of the honor it gave to the fallen Athenian soldiers. At this point, Pericles concludes his glorification of Athenian culture. “In short, I say that as a city we are the school of Hellas (Greece), while I doubt if the world can produce a man, who where he has only himself to depend upon, is equal to so many emergencies, and graced by so happy a versatility, as the Athenian. And that this is no mere boast thrown out for the occasion, but plain matter of fact, the power of the state acquired by these habits proves” (Thucydides). Pericles ties all of his compliments together as if they were all one logical argument explaining Athenian superiority. His final word on the topic was not a simple boast. He proved it with all of his speech so far. Finally, Pericles holds authority and credibility in Athens as a
Throughout Aristophanes’ “Clouds” there is a constant battle between old and new. It makes itself apparent in the Just and Unjust speech as well as between father and son. Ultimately, Pheidippides, whom would be considered ‘new’, triumphs over the old Strepsiades, his father. This is analogous to the Just and Unjust speech. In this debate, Just speech represents the old traditions and mores of Greece while the contrasting Unjust speech is considered to be newfangled and cynical towards the old. While the defeat of Just speech by Unjust speech does not render Pheidippides the ability to overcome Strepsiades, it is a parallel that may be compared with many other instances in Mythology and real life.
The era dominated by Roman empire is one the most well-known and influential periods of history, home to famous names from Julius Caesar to Jesus Christ. At its height, Rome’s territory stretched from the Atlantic coastline to the Middle East, reigning over 60 million people, one-fifth of the population of the ancient world. However, the Roman empire’s treatment of their conquered people’s and their own citizens ultimately led to the permanent downfall of Rome.
Rome was considered one of the utmost powerful empire during its time, but why did it
The Puritans who came to America originally in 1620 sought religious reform instead of breaking off from the Church of England versus their counterparts the Pilgrims who had left ten years prior. Puritans were a large factor in establishing and founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Their influence in the New English region of America in these thirty years was truly mind-blowing. From their emphasis on organization, family life, education, and a great work ethic is admirable in each every sense. Organization in their towns were a key factor to their lifestyle, with the centralization of the more commonly used buildings show their importance on Church [Document B] which is centered in the town square.
The author’s tone is excited yet maintains a calmness, like someone in modern times might talk about something expensive that they bought. At points the author speaks with reverence of the palaces. The use of words like “feasted” and “echoing” helps in demonstrating the enormity of what they do for things that may seem like every day encounters, such as having a visitor over. This idea helps to demonstrate that the Greeks valued luxury and leisure so they could reap the rewards from the work that they had done.
In Chapter 1, the author assesses the unique and eternal achievements of 5th century BCE Athenian culture. She introduces several basic dichotomies that define her understanding of the writers and events of the period in the later chapters.
Romulus' undertakings and innovative approaches in finding Rome had significant consequences on shaping the future of the city and assuring its vast importance in the human history. As Romulus set out to establish Rome as an orderly and highly-functioning city, he produced what can be considered a blueprint for most major European cities. As the beginnings of one of the first European cities were marked and influenced by various political and socio-economic shifts so were the origins of the American cities. Although the origins of European and American cities vary to a great extent, politics and the social and economic conditions ultimately influenced the shape, design, and the role of cities on each continent.
Characters within a Greek tragedy should follow a basic set of guidelines in order to fit the premise of Aristotle’s poetics. The characters presented to the viewer should “be consistent, good, likeable, and of high status and reputation, but do not need to perfect” (Connelly).
In the beginning of this section, three different commanders of the Greek’s fleet, Themistocles, Eurybiades, and Adeimantus, “yielded to bribery” (502). By this we are shown again that it is easier to impose upon a crowd. During the battle, Themistocles thought of a plan on his own and executed it, he “cut notices on the rocks near by for the Ionians to read;” he acts in a way that will benefit the collective good. (508). During his first speech to convince the Greeks to remain at Salamis, “Themistocles…repeated Mnesiphilus’ arguments as if they were his own” and used threats of leaving with the Athenian fleets to get the others to listen (519-520).
The author of the book is Godfrey Hutchinson. He is a historian and is an expert on all things Greece, from the times periods of 411-362 BC. He was a student at the University of Durham and University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He has written two other historical books; Xenophone: The Art of Command, and Attrition: Aspects of Command in the
Geography played an important role throughout Roman history. Rome laid on the plain of Latium in Italy. The Apennines, a mountain range that bisects Italy, didn’t separate the land into different communities that were isolated from each other like those in Greece. Also, Italy had good land for agriculture, which helped them in maintaining a huge population. Rome was close enough to surrounding seas to have access to them, but also far enough away to be protected from pirates. Rome was placed on top of many hills, which made it easy to defend from attackers. Italy was also located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, making it easy for them to take control of the region and be involved in other Mediterranean matters.
Intro – Begin by talking about how people often see Aeneid by Virgil as focusing on the events surrounding the Trojan war, but an equally important part of the story is the prevalent theme of duty. For instance, if one looks at Aeneas one can see his devotion towards caring for his people, and his persistence to follow his duty. Because of the emphasize that Virgil places on Aeneas devotion to his people and his duty to obey the gods, one can begin to theorize that Virgil believed duty was the most important quality a man could possess. Thesis: Often times, the Aeneid carries the reputation as a book centering around the founding of Rome, however, without the constant reminder of duty, one cannot fully view Virgil’s story as he intended.
The city of Rome was the epicenter of the Roman Empire. Major decisions and world influence came from Rome. Rome transformed into a city that held almost a million people. Why did these people go to the city and what affect did the city have on them? Urbanization is a massive global trend in today’s world. People flock to cities in search of opportunities or a better way of life. What a city looks like today is vastly different than what Rome looked like almost two millennia ago. However, the causes for urbanization and the effects urbanization has on the inhabitants have stark similarities and differences in Ancient Rome and in cities today.