ORG - Axial Age Thinkers and Second-Generation Societies - The Mediterranean World (Lesson)

Axial Age Thinkers and Second-Generation Societies - The Mediterranean World

In the previous lesson of this unit, you learned that the Persian Empire attempted to expand its borders into mainland Greece in c.490-480 BCE. The Persians weren't very successful in this endeavor as, more often than not, the individual Greek city-states called upon each other to help repel the attacks. At the time of the Persian Empire's attempt to take over the area of modern-day Greece, ancient Greeks didn't really see themselves as Greek. Instead, they identified themselves by their city-state, or polis (to use the Greek word, plural is poleis.) "Greeks" living in Athens weren't "Greeks" but Athenians. "Greeks" living in Sparta weren't "Greeks" but Spartans. And so on... However, one thing that emerged following the "Greek" victories in repelling the Persians from mainland Greece was a sense of common identity that transcended the individual city-states of the region. The "Greeks" started to see themselves as "Greeks." [Side Note: This did not prevent them from waging war on each other, though, as the individual city-states set out to become the leader of the "Greeks."]

In the 5th Century BCE, following the wars with Persia, the city-state of Athens entered its "Golden Age." As a "Second-Generation Society,"  Athens became the intellectual and cultural capital of the Greek city-states. Athens also became the capital of the Delian League, a confederation of Greek city-states whose purpose was to keep the Persians out. Athens flourished under its ruler, Pericles, whose reign lasted from c.461 to 429 BCE. In fact, a synonym for the "Golden Age of Athens" is " The Age of Pericles." So what made this time period and the "Second-Generation Society" of Athens so "golden?" The answer: the "Axial Age Thinkers."

Heredotus - known as the "father of history" Herodotus changed the style of recording history by investigating historical subjects and collecting evidence to support claims. 

Socrates  - known as the father of philosophy. Socrates reflected on th importance of ethics/morality and honor/integrity over wealth/power in creating an ideal society.

Hippocrates - known as the father of medicine, Hippocrates instituted ethical standards in the formal practice of medicine and is attributed as the creator of the Hippocratic Oath that current doctors still vow

Plato - A student of Socrates and a teacher to Aristotle. Plato wrote The Republic - his vision of a perfect city run by Philosopher-kings. He founded the Academy - an institution of higher learning. he also introduced the concept of Platonic Love

Aristotle - A student of Plato. Aristotle argued for the gathering of facts in order to understand subjects and deduce truths regarding those subjects. At the Lyceum in Athens he taught while walking around with his students

Sophocles - the most celebrated playwright during the golden age. Sophocles is one of only three Ancient Greek playwrights whose works survived to modern times.

Why did these "Axial Age Thinkers" appear in Athens at that time? The answer: The set-up of Athens's social structure encouraged debates and thinking; this in turn, led to new ideas; which, in turn, changed the culture of the time. These new ideas started with the birth of a new academic field as "thinkers" competed with one another and philosophia, or "the love of wisdom," resulted in the discipline of Philosophy. But philosophia impacted more than just thoughts. In the art world, for example, artists began to sign their works. In this way, the individual artists were popularly recognized for the first time. In the economic world, leaders set up a market-based economy dependent on the existence of private property. In the political world, new terms described the various governing institutions people could choose: tyranny (the rule by a popularly approved individual,) oligarchy (the rule by a small group of elites,) or democracy (the rule by free adult male citizens.) And Athens, as the hub of the Delian League and the intellectual and cultural capital of the Greek city-states, served as the origin point for the diffusion of these ideas and practices throughout Greece. It was a good time, at least for some, to be an Athenian. (That is, until the Spartans attacked!)

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Recap Section

Axial Age Thinks and Implementers
Thinkers 
South Asia - Upanishads
Vardhamana Mahvira
Siddhartha Gautama

East Asia - Confucius, Laozi, Master Xun (Legalism)

Mediterranean World - Socrates, Aristotle, Plato


Implementers - 
South Asia - Chandragupta Maurya
Asoka Maurya

East Asia - Shi Huangdi (Legalism)
Emperor Wen, Emperor Wu

Mediterranean World - the people - it was a democracy after all!

 

Complete the activity and videos below to review what you have learned.

 

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