Medea: Complexity of Athenian Life - Essay Sample

Choose two quotes from Medea that illustrate the complexity of Athenian life. Explain how these quotes demonstrate some of the contradictions or challenges to Athenian democracy, the role of women in a household, the notion of power and justice.

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In the Athenian society in ancient Greece, women and men had different places and roles to play within the household. Men are the dominant party in the family, with most decisions being made regardless of the opinion of women in the household, like in the case of Medea. Jason exercises the utmost power in the family and does not even consult Medea when she decides to take in another wife to increase his power and hold in Athenian politics. There is no regard for justice in that despite Medea's love and sacrifice for betraying her people to marry Jason, and she is not spared of deceit in the quest for power, which has corrupted Jason's perspective in that she betrays her family for power (McInerney 272).

"There is no greater security than this in all the world: when a wife does not oppose her husband. But now, there's only hatred. What should be most loved has been contaminated, stricken since Jason has betrayed them-his own children, and my lady, for a royal bed. He's married into power: Creon's daughter" (Mastronarde 4).

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Medea Greek mythology is the social approach to women and the high value and lust for power in the society which forced men and women into making very wicked decisions devoid of emotions or love (McInerney 278). This is the example of Medea and Jason, who become strangers and mortal enemies forced by Jason's greed for power and resources, which could only be gained by committing to marry another woman who comes from a family with the resources she needed. The Athenian life is based on the games that they play to amass power and outdo each other in most cases; the power games are fatal. Medea, a foreigner, is a victim of the Athenian corrupt politics and Jason's greed to stay in power, which is highly determined by the resources one can amass and also has ties with the powerful families.

"Now, this is where I differ from most people. In my view, someone who is both unjust and has a gift for speaking-such a man incurs the greatest penalty. He uses his tongue to cover up his unjust actions, and this gives him the nerve to stop at nothing, no matter how outrageous. Yet he's not all that wise. Take your case, for example. Spare me this display of cleverness; a single word will pin you to the mat. If you weren't in the wrong, you would have told me your marriage plans, not kept us in the dark, your loved ones, your own family!" (Mastronarde 26).

The quote shows that shrewdness in Athenian politics and families thrive as the most effective approach to retaining power. The powerful in the Ancient Athens thrive, whereas the weak are trampled upon or become collateral damage in the power struggles and games played by men such as Jason. In the quote above, Medea notes that despite Jason betraying her, she does not show remorse of any kind. Jason feels justified to make the decision he made to marry into a powerful family, which he notes is an insurance policy for the children with Medea because once he becomes powerful, he will have a greater capacity to provide for them (McInerney 274).

How do you think Herodotus would describe the Melian Dialogue? What would he focus on that is different from the way that Thucydides presented the event? Give three examples. Explain how his description would fit into his approach to understanding history?

Herodotus' primary perspective to history is that it should be a source of moral lessons based on the decisions that were reached out at different times in history. Herodotus believes further in divine intervention in human activities and that conflicts and wars are forms of misfortunes that occur due to the initial injustice that later attracts cycles of unending revenge (Johnson 254). On the other hand, Thucydides views wars based on the cause and effect rationality, which means that other factors are excluded from the claim for justice. Thucydides holds that the claim for justice by one party should be considered as a pretext. Justice, according to Thucydides, is irrelevance because it is restricted to the fact that power is exercised and sought by forceful means and cannot be negotiated or judged based on justice. Thucydides notes that whenever the Athenians were just or moderate, they only received hostility in that any form of moderation is seen as equality, which is as a result of tolerating those that are inferior. Therefore, Thucydides argues in support for the superior ruling the weak with superiority being maintained by force and not based on negotiated justice between a vulnerable state and the stronger state.

In terms of the Melian dialogue, Herodotus would argue in support of Melians, who are arguing on the basis of justice and the coexistence of the weak and the strong (Hanink 197). Whereas Herodotus views diplomacy as courage, Thucydides supports a more aggressive approach through which a superior state subdues a weak state into surrendering. Therefore, in terms of the Melian dialogue, Herodotus would support the Melian's argument on negotiated justice and hope for the states to agree and ensure that the strong state refrains itself from attacking a weaker nation.

Herodotus would have supported the Melian's hope for divine intervention and support from Sparta. In contrast, Thucydides supports a situation where justice is not negotiated, and the weak submit to the stronger state (Hanink 192). Therefore, Thucydides could support the Athenian's view that their retreat or peace treaty with Melians could have eroded their pride as a hegemon at the time, which could have attracted rebellion from the already subdued states by viewing their hesitation from attacking Melians as weakness which they could exploit. As such, Herodotus would have supported more considerable negotiations and concessions by Athenians against the Melians instead of attacking them even after knowing beforehand that the Melians were weak and could not compete with them in battle (Hanink 195). To prove a point, the Athenians attacks Melians and slays all men while enslaving the women.

What are the three concepts that Alexander represents in his rule over his empire? How specifically do these concepts differ from previous Greek or Persian rulers that we have discussed? (Explain how they are similar or different.) Do you think he would have been an effective ruler over the empire if he had lived longer? Explain why.

Alexander was an outstanding leader of Macedonia, who significantly contributed to the expansion and the prosperity of the empire under his rule. Alexander had multiple unique features of leadership that set him apart from the rest of the rulers, especially in ancient Greece (McInerney 323). One of the most intriguing aspects of Alexander was his approach to religion, truth, and the behavior imposed upon the conquered populations. Alexander had a shift from the Greek tradition of imposing their cultural practices to the conquered populations by allowing them to retain their cultural aspects given that they were willing to keep the supply lines to equip and feed his troops which was one of the most instrumental tools that Alexander used to rule the vast areas effectively. Alexander used Greek culture as a model for the empire and the colonies while leaving the Greeks to be the leaders of the lands that he conquered. Alexander's unique approach to the Persian lifestyles and customs shows his desire to blend cultures, which was one of his longest enduring contexts during his context. The blended culture of Indians, Greeks, and Egyptians led to a cultural blend called Hellenistic, and the combined knowledge is associated with the development of medicine and scientific discoveries.

One of the most auspicious times for the Greeks and the Macedonians were during the era of Alexander the great at which the people were able to advance deep to the east. The people of Greece believed in mythology based on the power of gods and goddesses. Poems, artworks, and great ancient stories emanating from this period were composed and written about these supreme beings since they were the only real hope for the Greek society. Similarly, the Persian rulers were also cultural centric and gained influence by building strong militaries. However, Alexander, the great Hellenization policy aimed at securing the Greek culture as the best and aimed at building cohesion in his rapidly developing area of influence (McInerney 325). The conquered cities were transformed into the Greek cultural image and political order. As such, although the Persians were impartial in terms of culture, Alexander the Great appreciated and even adopted foreign cultural practices in his kingdom. The political environment was centered upon patronage in which secret societies, mystery cults, and professional clubs were the primary basis of the communities. For cultural acceptance in the growing area of influence, Alexander, the great could adopt new cultural practices such as clothing and design of the court, which sometimes attracted significant opposition. As such, Alexander the Great from high Hellenistic culture could have been a good leader by bringing together different customs and cultures, which could have increased his acceptability in the new world.

We did not read the Introduction to McInerney at the beginning of class because I wanted to use that as a tool for reflection on the final. Read Chapter 1 (pp. 15-28) "Why Study the Greeks?" and choose three quotes that you either agree or disagree with (you must choose at least one point to argue against) after studying Greek history for one semester.

The Greeks have significantly contributed to the development of the modern society through their contribution to democracy, reflection on the history of gender relations, science as well as the overall cultural aspects that have been adopted from the Greeks civilization. "Democracy, medicine, architecture, ethics, astronomy, poetry, mathematics-to name only a selection-are all areas of thought and practice in which, as we shall see, we have a debt to the Greeks" (McInerney p. 15). I agree with McInerney that the Greeks have contributed significantly to the modern knowledge and conception of contemporary cultures. The world today benefits from technological innovations, art, and music that has its roots in the ancient Greek civilization. One of the reasons why the Greeks should be studied is to understand the origins of the contemporary conceptualization of beauty. Greeks had a special place for beauty, and the truth which was expressed in the form of poetry and the educated Greek elites grew up immersed in the world of poetry, which was based on the theme of heroes who fought, for instance, in troy. Greeks appreciated the beauty in the form of sculpture, which has continued up to date. However, the beauty of sculptures in the Ancient Greek aimed at celebrating their heroes and extreme beauties. The Greek's conquest and interactions with other cultures at the time, such as Egypt, gave them the ability to sculpt from marble and limestone with the most sculptures taking the human form with perfect execution. The Greeks, through the work of Socrates, were able to expound more on beauty and its different forms, which is appreciated in the world today (McInerney p. 16).

Studying the Greeks increases the human appreciation of contemporary beauty in the modern world. Greek architecture has enriched the contemporary landscape with today's architects being exposed to the different orders of Greek architecture, which makes it essential to study the history of the Greeks (McInerney 21). Different architectural structures i...