Humanities Midterm

Heterae were a specific group of women in Ancient Greece who were not simply foreign women or slaves, but rather educated women who were employed as companions and courtesans to men.

Dionysus was the Greek god of wine, fertility, and drama, making him closely associated with the origins of theater and Greek Tragedy. While Athena, Zeus, and Apollo are all important figures in Greek mythology, they do not have the same direct connection to the development of theater.

A tragedy in drama typically involves characters with tragic flaws, such as excessive pride, which ultimately lead to their downfall and demise. It is characterized by a serious tone and usually does not have a happy ending.

The correct answer consists of three ancient Greek playwrights known for their tragedies, while the incorrect answers include a mix of playwrights from different time periods and regions.

Aeschylus is known for his contributions to Greek tragedy by innovating the theatrical structure. Sophocles and Euripides were also significant playwrights in ancient Greece, but they did not make the same exact contributions as Aeschylus. Aristophanes, on the other hand, was known for his comedic plays rather than tragic works.

Sophocles was a Greek playwright known for his tragedies, providing viewers with catharsis through emotions like pity and fear. He wrote the famous play Oedipus the King.

Euripidis was a tragedian known for his work in Greek tragedy, particularly for adding more realism and social commentary to his plays. He used unorthodox characters and plots, with Medea being one of his most famous works, evoking pathos or pity and sorrow in the audience. He was known for writing people as they actually are.

In ancient Greek plays, the Chorus served as a collective voice that provided commentary on the events of the play, sang songs, and occasionally danced. They were not the main protagonist, responsible for technical aspects, or musical instruments.

The orchestra refers to the stage or circular area where the chorus sang and danced its part in a performance. It is not just a group of musicians playing instruments, the area where audience sits, or the conductor leading the musicians.

The correct answer defines 'Theatron' as the viewing place where the audience watched the action in ancient Greek theaters.

In ancient Greek theatre, the skene was a building behind the stage that was used to store props and provide a backdrop for the actors.

The Red Figure Technique involves painting the figures in red on a black background, allowing for fine details of anatomy to be highlighted.

Archaic sculpture is characterized by rigid symmetry, geometric hairdressing, Egyptian influence, and the famous 'Archaic smile'. Examples include the Kouros boy and Kore statues, with softer curves and clothing.

Classical Sculpture is known for its emphasis on the S-curve, representing the ideal form, and capturing pre-motion in a static form. Abstract Expressionism, Realistic, Minimalist styles are not associated with Classical Sculpture. Similarly, Baroque, Romanticism, and Impressionism are art movements that differ from Classical Sculpture. Finally, Gothic, Cubism, and Surrealism are also unrelated to Classical Sculpture.

The 'Kritios Boy' is a significant sculpture representing the transition from Archaic to Classical style in sculpture during ancient Greece.

Hellenistic is a term used to describe art, culture, and history associated with the ancient Greek world after the reign of Alexander the Great. It is characterized by its focus on storytelling, movement, and emotion in art and literature.

Comedy typically involves situations where the audience perceives themselves as being in a higher position than the characters who are facing challenges or degradation, leading to amusement and laughter.

Sophists were professional teachers and philosophers in ancient Greece who emphasized the art of persuasion and the use of various rhetorical techniques during debates. Their focus on rhetoric and verbal trickery often led to criticism from other philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle.

Socrates was a Greek philosopher who is known for being a rival to the sophists, teaching using the Socratic Method, being tried and executed for corrupting the youth, and believing in absolute truths.

Plato's Theory of Forms contrasted sense experience with rational contemplation to explore the nature of reality and knowledge.

Aristotle is well-known for his concept of the Golden Mean and emphasis on empirical observations, which distinguishes him from other ancient philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Hippocrates.

The definition of Classical Spirit refers to a belief in human intelligence and art's ability to capture human essence, not ghosts, music genres, or philosophical concepts.

Greek Epics are long narrative works that focus on heroism and epic deeds, making them distinct from other literary forms like comedies, short stories, or philosophical writings.

The Golden Age in Greek history refers to a flourishing period of great prosperity and cultural achievements.

Lyric poetry is a type of poetry that expresses the poet's thoughts and feelings. It is often brief in length and written for a specific occasion. Sappho, an ancient Greek poet, is known for her lyrical poetry that captures inner emotions.

Sappho was a celebrated female poet from ancient Greece whose works mostly focused on themes of love and passion. She was known for her lyrical poetry, especially her captivating descriptions of emotions and relationships.

In Ancient Greece, a 'polis' referred to a city-state that was typically made up of adult males, excluding women, slaves, and non-native residents. It was the basic political unit of Ancient Greece.

Democracy is a system of government where the citizens exercise power by voting. The term originates from the Greek words 'demos' (people) and 'kratos' (power), meaning 'ruled by the people'.

Women in Ancient Greece were primarily responsible for household duties and were not actively involved in public or political affairs.