Mycenaean Age (1100- 750 BCE) - Ancient History: Greece

Homer is best known in the modern world for The Iliad and The Odyssey, so he would be the best choice. Ovid was the epic poet responsible for the Metamorphoses, but he was Roman, so he would not be the best choice. Virgil was also an influential Roman poet and he did not write the works in question, so he would not be a good choice. Lastly, Lord Byron and Samuel Taylor Coleridge were both famous poets, but they lived many thousands of years after the works in question were written, so they would not be good answers.

Linear B was the written script of the Mycenaean Greeks. It fell into disuse in the immediate aftermath of the decline of the Mycenaean civilization. Linear B was a complicated script and was probably known only by a few, privileged palatial scribes. This helps explain why it was so hastily lost to history during the Greek Dark Ages.

The Oracle of Apollo (sometimes called The Oracle at Delphi) was built in northern Greece sometime during the Dark or Archaic ages. It was a place of worship and ceremony for the ancient Greeks. It, along with other oracles, served a very important purpose in Greek religious life. Political and military leaders sought the advice of the holy men who worked and lived at Delphi to try and determine whether the Gods favored the actions they had taken or were considering. Greek rulers would consult the Oracle, for example, before declaring war.

Archilochus is a seventh century BCE lyric poet. Archilochus was one of the most widely esteemed and beloved poets in ancient Greek society. He has been frequently credited (although not definitively) with the invention of the elegy.

According to legend, the Olympic games were instituted to celebrate the funeral games of Pelops, the grandfather of Agamemnon. Pelops was renowned for sport in mythology. He won his wife, Hippodameia, during a chariot race at nearby Pisa. He then instituted regular athletic contests during his reign. More generally, athletic competitions were typically held at early Greek funerals.

Hercules performed the Ten Labors and famously wore the skin of the Nemean Lion, so he would be the best choice. Apollo was the god of music and medicine - not a hero at all - so he would not be a good choice. Perseus and Jason were both Greek heroes of great renown but they did not perform the Ten Labors, so they would not be good answers. Lastly, Paris of Troy played an important role in The Iliad but he did not perform the Ten Labors, so he would not be a good choice either.

The Homeric epics (The Iliad and The Odyssey) were written during the waning years of the Greek Dark Ages or at the beginning of the Archaic Era (depending on how you define these periods). The Homeric epics tell the tale of a war that took place during the Mycenaean Era, but they nonetheless reflect the social values that were present at the time of writing, during the Greek Dark Ages. This is why the Homeric epics feature such an emphasis on honor and noble behavior.

Aeschylus is most famous for his contributions to drama. He is one of the most famous tragedians in ancient Greek history and his plays are the earliest surviving examples of Greek tragedy. His most famous work is Oresteia.

Theognis of Megara is a well-known Greek poet from the Archaic Era. It is not known exactly when he lived, but general historical consensus seems to fall around the sixth century BCE. Theognis wrote extensively (and poetically) on the nature of class struggles and the formation of city-states during his time period.

Religious ceremonies in Archaic Era Greece were extremely communal events. The community would gather in a public place and an animal (or many animals) would be sacrificed. This was meant to demonstrate the community’s commitment to the Gods. The people would then sit together and share the sacrificed meat in a great feast. This was meant to demonstrate the community’s commitment to one another.

Theognis of Megara is a famous ancient Greek poet who, most likely, lived in the sixth century BCE. His poetry takes for its general theme the topic of class anxiety. Theognis writes from the perspective of an aristocrat who fears the consequences of social mobility. Specifically, Theognis decries those “new-money” types who are marrying into the social elite.

In the Homeric Epics, Zeus is shown to be highly concerned with the fate of his favorite warriors and seems to be openly rooting for certain humans to succeed. In the works of Hesiod, conversely, Zeus is presented as a far more circumspect and objective figure. The Zeus of Hesiod is primarily concerned with justice and with his duties as leader of the Gods.

The term Archaic Age means “Old-fashioned era.” The Archaic Age stretches from approximately 750 BCE to 500 BCE. The term “archaic” originates in scholars of art history. The artwork of the seventh and sixth centuries was deemed to be more “old-fashioned” and “less lifelike” than the artwork of the fifth and fourth centuries (the so-called Classical Age).

In ancient Greece an acropolis was a fortified area on top of hill that was often used for religious or ceremonial purposes. The most famous example of this is the Acropolis in Athens, which is the site of the famous Parthenon temple.

Aristophanes is perhaps the most famous and celebrated of the ancient Greek comedy playwrights. Comedy was widely used in Greek society (particularly in Athens) to satirize and criticize society.

Sophocles is one of the three famous Athenian authors of tragedies, along with Aeschylus and Euripides. Sophocles’ most famous work is probably Oedipus Rex.

Many of the more famous Greek dramas, such as the works of Aeschylus and Sophocles, are focused on the relationship between fate and free will in people’s lives. This is often examined in dramas through the intervention of the Gods and the inescapable truth of prophecy.

The Athenian style of art became the standard for classical art. Their attention to detail combined with a focus on grace and idealistic form established the tradition for art for centuries. Modern and Abstract art are trends of the twentieth and twenty first century. Cave paintings predate the work of the Greeks to prehistoric times. Decorative art is another term for abstract, botanic and scenic art.

The Athenians believed strongly in freedom and public discussion. They recognized that the humor of the comedies, while a bit bawdy and crude, was presented to make them think about events and activities in Athens and correct the mistakes made in political activities or social contact. Life, for the Athenians, was not a witticism. The comedies were intended to teach a lesson in a lighthearted manner. The plays were paid for by wealthy citizens of Athens to make attendance free and open to the public. The playwrights of the comedies were free to express their satire in any manner or form. One would say it was “no holds barred” with their comedy. The Greeks playwrights were free to write their satire, as stinging as it may have been, without fear of punishment.