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Essay

Ancient Athens: Art, Drama, Philosophy, and Political Speech

Ancient Athens was a city of culture. Glorious statues stood over one hundred feet high and the most brilliant minds dominated everything. Beautiful music flowed from temples atop the rolling hills and powerful mountains. Humongous ships skimmed the icy harbor water as they glided off to battle. Among these luxurious things, most of their pride lies in the art, drama, philosophy, and politics of their city state.

Athenian artwork is decorative and fancy. Colorful designs and patterns maintain the feeling of those who created it. The artwork is categorized into three periods of time: Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic. Athenian pottery, however, is divided into five periods instead of three. These periods are the Protogeometric, Geometric, Late Geometric, Archaic, and the Black Figure. Athenian artwork is some of the most unique in the world. It ranges from buildings to pottery to fine jewelry to paintings to sculptures. Some ancient Athenians love artwork so much, that they work their entire lives to create it.

Drama was an important part of Athenian culture. Delicate and powerful, Athenians loved the theatre. They dedicated one of their largest to the god of amusement and wine, Dionysus. Gathering at the theatre of Dionysus was one of the greatest events of the year. People gathered from far and near to witness the tragedians, poets, and playwrights perform. They watched three plays, either all comedies or all tragedies, and then witnessed a short satyr farce. The actors were all men who donned humongous masks carved with expression and intricate costumes soaked in brilliant jewels to help portray both male and female characters. Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were all great Athenian Tragedians. Athens was well known for it’s amazing dramatic arts.

Philosophy greatly impacted Athenian culture. Dazzling ideas imprinted into the smallest phrases sculpted Athenian life. Great prophets were highly honored and many people believed these prophets to have relations with the gods. ‘Know thyself’ and ‘Nothing in excess’ were great philosophies with deep meanings. Many people pondered these for years before actually discovering the meaning, which was passed down to today. The Oracle of Delphi was known for her philosophies. She was the one who breathed ‘Know thyself’ and ‘Nothing in excess’ to the world. She devastated and brought prosperity to lives by telling people a random philosophy or prophecy. Ancient Athens also, interestingly enough, contributed philosophy to our world, today.

Political speech is an important part of Athenian culture. The most commonly used part of Athenian speech is Rhetoric, or the ability to use language effectively. Rhetoric was used in many positions. Rhetoric was used as a teaching method in schools, during elections, in political debates, by citizens presenting their case in jury, and in oral and written story telling. Rhetoric was the most common form of Speech in Athens. It is the eloquence of the speech that makes it so popular. Rhetoric has a contributed creation. Those who have a share in it are Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, and Protagoras. Used by many to convey their messages, Rhetorical speech is extremely important in Athenian culture. Art, drama, philosophy and political speech are all very important in Athenian history. Without any of these four supports, Athenian and modern day culture would not be standing the same way as it is now.

556 words

By: Emma S.