CLAS 1P91 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Polytheism, Hoplite, Polis
9 Apr 2018
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Greeks betrayed at thermopylae: rumored that ephialtes (a local)- showed the persians a pass behind the mountain, during the 2nd night persian immortals march around pass. Last stand of the greeks: herodotus continues the story . Battle of salamis: themistocles lures persian fleet into narrow straits at salamis = persians cant maneuver= many ships destroyed; xerxes watches in horror. Battle of plataea: 479 bc: xerxes leaves after salamis! Takes many of his troops- but a commander remains with elite persian troops to over winter: next spring- plataea- large allied greek force attack persians =greek hoplites again superior, some 40 000 persians retreat. Greek religion: in homer- hear of many gods= polytheism, all the gods together= pantheon, hierarchy of gods= zeus at pinnacle, reside on mt. Priests and priestesses: cultic activities and requirements preformed by priests; citizens only did as necessary, were aristocrats= more social prestige.
