CLASS280 Lecture 3: Archaic Greece
5 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
Not politically uni ed but did share many of the same cultural traits. Introduction of the alphabet = the end of the dark ages. Phoenician origin (trade greatly 4e in the 8th century) Simpli cation of syllabic principle by addition of separate letters for vowels (24 letters) Nestor"s cup from pithecusae c. 724 (longest 8th c. inspiration, assets personal use) Romans get alphabet from the etruscans and transmit to western world widespread literacy and birth of western literature. Some think it was invented to record the epic of homer; elite ideology. Alphabet permits codi cation of laws and creation of constitutional government. Each independant geographical territory = self governing polis (urban centre and agricultural hinterland) aristoi = aristocracy (rule by the best men); closed group of landowning aristocracy, market for new luxury goods available through trade. Geographical isolation and political independence each polis develops di erently. Re-establushemnt of contact with near east brings new ideas, as well as luxury goods.
