Women were perhaps the largest class of the Ancient Greek population to be excluded from the exercise of many of the freedoms we would recognize as important today: political participation, ownership of property and wealth, pursuit of education and careers. Women in the classical period were restricted in their free choice of marriage partners; any dowry was effectively the property of the husband, denying the woman financial independence (Sealey
Slaves were able to rise to some extent in Greek society in later periods (evidence is lacking for the Mycenaean and Archaic eras), but they were entirely dependent on their owners for the opportunity to, for example, manage commercial concerns such as banks, inherit money or own land, or even to marry (Westermann, 3). Slavery was essential to the Athenian economy and to the lifestyles of her politically active class: 'It is important always to keep in mind the enormous extent to which the Athenian economy depended on slave labour whenever we are tempted to become "starry-eyed" about her democracy', observes one modern scholar (Stockton, 17-18)
To be a slave was to be the possession of another human being -- no clearer limit on freedom could be imagined. Slaves were able to rise to some extent in Greek society in later periods (evidence is lacking for the Mycenaean and Archaic eras), but they were entirely dependent on their owners for the opportunity to, for example, manage commercial concerns such as banks, inherit money or own land, or even to marry (Westermann, 3)
Aphrodisiacs Named after the Ancient Greek Goddess of Love, Aphrodite, aphrodisiacs are generally foods or aromas that are priced as erotic stimulants (Mallon 1999)
Mustard, described in the Bible as "the greatest amongst herbs," is believed to have a powerful effect on the sexual glands, and a folklore remedy for impotence recommends rubbing the male member with mustard (Mallon 1999). It seems humans are passionate when it comes to searching for passion and the variety of substances that have been tried over the years to provoke sexual desire is astounding (Schwarcz 2003)
Among other libido booster include rhinoceros horn, nutmeg, truffles, deer antlers, elk horns, seal penises, and ground goat testicles, only the left one (Schwarcz 2003). Although aphrodisiacs have intrigued humans since the Garden of Eden, it has only been recently that research and writings have taken them from the mystical to the medical realm, "giving new credence to the notion that lotions and potions can stimulate desire and enhance sexual experiences" (Fain 1996)
K's Dream Cream for women, "which he says increases blood flow to the essential area and increases pleasure (Schwarcz 2003). Tongkat ali has long touted as an aphrodisiac and its root is sold fresh or mixed into medicines, soups, and most popularly, tehtarik, tea (John 1997)
He looked for his opportunity and found it as follows. (Reardon
Everything was unfixed from its age-long rest, and moving at whirlwind speed in a direction opposite to their own." (Hawthorne, Chapter 17)
"In the past the prevailing idea has been well expressed in the saying that "captains of industry are born not made"; and the theory has been that if one could get the right man, methods could be safely left with him. In the future it will be appreciated that our leaders must be trained right as well as born right, and that no great man can (with the old system of personal management) hope to compete wit a number of ordinary men who have been properly organized so as efficiently to cooperate"(Taylor, 1911)
It is during the Hellenistic period however, where Greek philosophical comprehension of human emotion, the greater diversity of the Greek empire, and the technical insights of the previous period fully came into fruition. During this period, all varieties of human beings are figured in sculpture, young and old, as well as the young, athletic, and physically 'perfect' (Hill 2006)
The archaic period is known as the period of Kouroi design. These sculptures, designed around a series of straight lines and geometric shapes (as seen in the pelvic-like triangles typical of the period), seem similar to that of Egyptian hieroglyphics in their generic, mask-like nature and emotive range, although some art historians believe that the more mobile stance Greek statues of the classical era are hinted at in the kouroi's gestures and seeming impetus to walk, in contrast to the static, frozen nature of Egyptian paintings (Kerr 2008)
¶ … Ancient Greeks matter to the citizen of the West in the twenty-First century? Do the Ancient Greeks still matter? The civilization of ancient Greece is present in our language, in the way we conceptualize beauty, and in the way we tell myths and legends as stories of heroes and wanderers. When we speak seriously or in jest of someone having an Oedipus complex, we are referencing the Greeks, even though it may "shed little light" on what fate and parental authority meant to the Greeks (Cahill 96)
The ancient Greeks are also known for delving into astronomy, biology, physics, geometry and medicine (Ancient Greece). An article in the peer-reviewed journal Interfaces explains that the ancient Greeks "…contributed greatly to the ideas and practices of economic and social decision making" (Zanakis, et al
Question #4: Aristotle once said that the Greeks, in the wake of their victories in the Persian Wars, "put their hand to every sort of learning, making no discrimination between them but seeking to advance further in all." (Aristotle and Lord 1984, 238) The result was the "Sophists," who were members of an intellectual and political movement that sought to teach people how to perform their duty to the state, and at first were seen as teachers of virtue
"The Sophists have been called half professors, half journalists, they were half teachers and thinkers, half disseminators of things new and strange, paradoxical and astonishing,…." (Barker 1977, 67) Many of their teachings made their way into Athenian political life
" The Ecclesia was held on the Pnyx, and "was open to all Athenian citizens of eighteen years of age and above." (Buckley 1996, 190) But in the year 411 this institution was tricked into voting itself out of existence in favor of an Oligarchy
Many who experienced it, including Thucydides himself, viewed Pericles' strategy, and "the neglect of it as the cause of the disaster." (Cawkwell 1997, 56) Question #3: The Athenian Ecclesia, or "Assembly" was the primary democratic institution in Athens during the "Golden Age of Democracy
The members of the Ecclesia were told that "the Persian treasury would be thrown open to them on condition, and only on condition, that they would relinquish their democracy." (Grote 1900, 8) The war had been waged for more than 20 years and Athens had suffered major defeats just the year before, therefore the Athenians believed that they would be defeated without the support of the Persians
Fearing the wrath of his Athenian enemies, Alcibiades renounced his Athenian citizenship and "sent to the Spartans, demanding immunity…, and promising to render them aid and service greater that all the harm he had previously done them as an enemy." (Plutarch 1914,141) The Spartans were skeptical, but Alcibiades persuaded them to send a force to Syracuse and capture it from Athens