Humanities Interchange Synthesis Question - Ancient Greek/Roman (1,000BC-449AD)
Ancient Greece is known for possessing a dependence on philosophy and art, the likes of which has not been replicated in a single culture since. Theater was at the forefront of this artistic revolution. However, Greek citizens did not look to theater only for entertainment, but they utilized its ethical and moral benefits to help shape their very culture. Theater was fully ingrained in Greek society and how citizens went about life; this was apparent as they committed so much time and significance to drama. A whole day was taken to view and discuss dramatic performances (Dionysus Festival). In addition, playwrights from this era are still known as some of the greatest artists and philosophers of all time.
During the time period when Greek life flourished, many aspects of life were dictated by the "will of the gods". These gods supposedly commanded nature and humanity from the heavens, and citizens often paid homage to them. While art, philosophy, and science were pursued rigorously, the majority of the ideas in these areas of culture fit within the guidelines of this religion. Therefore in theater, where new and inventive ideas about humanity were realized and discussed, these ideas rarely stepped outside of the "will of the gods". It seemed religion, science, and art were inseparable (due to the religious aesthetics of the time period and culture). Despite, or perhaps as a result of, this religious commitment, Greek culture excelled in nearly every aspect of life. We may still look back to this people group as an apt example of sophistication and enlightenment.
Your answer to the synthesis question really establishes two elements of the basic framework of ancient Greek life: a highly sophisticated society with an emphasis on the arts, yet which is restricted by "the will of the gods". It is remarkable that those two realities were able to peacefully co-exist, as in today's world, religion and art are quite separate, and often at odds with each other.
ReplyDeleteThe nature of science and religion in Ancient Greece is compelling, indeed. While many may scoff and the idea of both of these belief systems, if you will, coexisting harmoniously, the Ancient Greeks were able to accomplish this feat. The people were clearly deeply religious, as they were engrossed in the idea of fate, and the gods’ ability to control the “natural” world. However, they also had a thirst for knowledge outside of religion, in the form of science. Ancient Greeks worked to learn about biology, earth science, astronomy, and many other areas of study. However, literary works from the era, again, show religion’s place in their society. Oedipus The King clearly shows a society’s profound faith. When a plague relentlessly strikes a people, they look not to scientists, but to their king, and priest. In this play, at least, it is apparent that the people had placed their faith in the hands of the gods, rather than the hands of science.
ReplyDeleteThe ideas of religion and science are often mutually exclusive, and, yet, they often complement one another. Both religion and science were (and still are) used as methods for answering the questions of life. When science cannot answer a question, people looked to religion. (What causes the earth to shake? It must be Poseidon.) The way science and religion were able to “fill in gaps” ensured each a place in the minds of a people who strived to learn.