(Duiker 104-107: Brians optional: 82-83; required: 72-81)

Questions about Duiker: Why were the skills taught by the Sophists especially valuable in Athens? What is the “Socratic method?” *What were Plato’s ideas of government? What are some of the subjects on which Aristotle wrote treatises?

Questions about the early Greek philosophers: What reason does Thales seem to have given for taking water to be the basic stuff of which everything is made? *In what ways are the speculations of the atomists similar to modern scientific beliefs? *What does Xenophanes think is the source of peoples’ ideas about the nature of the gods? What reasons does Socrates give for not fearing death? *What about the account of his death from Plato’s Phaedo indicates that he remained true to his beliefs on this point? *Judging by the “Allegory of the Cave” from Plato’s Republic, why do you think many people in the democracy of Athens, where all citizens were considered equal, might have been antagonistic to Plato’s ideas?

Lecture Topics:

The Pre-Socratics
What makes their ideas different from those of earlier peoples?
What major scientific findings did they anticipate?
The Atomists
In what ways were their theories like modern atomic theory, and in what ways unlike it?
The Sophists
Why did Socrates object to the sophists?
Socrates
What distinguished him from the pre-Socratics?
What were his main beliefs?
Plato
What is his relationship to Socrates?
What were his major influences on Western Civilization?
Aristotle
What were his major influences on Western Civilization?

Supplementary materials:

• Plato and His Dialogs
• The Trial of Socrates: Plato’s Apology
• On the Last Days of Socrates and Exploring Plato’s Dialogues
• Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics
• Aristotle’s Prior Analytics
• Aristotle’s Poetics
• Stoicism from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

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(Duiker 109-118)

Questions about Duiker: Why is Philip of Macedon famous? *What were the major achievements of Alexander the Great? What does “Hellenistic” mean? *How did the status of women change during the Hellenistic period? What were the main subjects of the poems of Theocritus? What characteristics of Hellenistic art are illustrated by the sculpture of the old market woman? *Why is Archimedes famous? *What is the goal of life according to Epicurus’ philosophy? What makes Stoicism different from Epicureanism? *On what premises are the mystery religions based? For what religion did they prepare the way?

Lecture topics:
Alexander the Great
Characteristics of Hellenistic civilization
Learning
Philosophy
Religion
Art
Literature

Supplementary materials:

• In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great
• Alexander the Great
• The Laocoon
• Greek Mathematics and its Modern Heirs
• Philosophical background of the Hellenistic Age

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(Duiker 127-134; Brians: 90-94, 104-106)

* Map Quiz on map 5.3 in Duiker, p. 132

Questions about Duiker:
What leader’s life and death helped set the stage for the death of the Roman Republic? *What were some of the achievements of Augustus? What building created for Hadrian is one of the grandest surviving in Rome?

Questions about Lucretius:
The Nature of Things:*What sorts of fears is Lucretius trying to get people to overcome? Why does he insist that everything happens according to natural laws?

Questions about Horace:” We All Must Die:”
*What typically Roman philosophical attitude is Horace trying to teach in this poem? Explain one of the symbols associated with death in this poem.

Question about “Epitaph from the tomb of a Roman wife:”
*What seem to have been the qualities Romans prized in women?

Questions about Marcus Aurelius: The Meditations: What arguments does Aurelius offer to help people accept death? How persuasive do you find them? *Explain. How does this philosophy emphasize the independence of the individual? Does this emphasis on the individual result in selfishness? What theme does Aurelius share with the poem by Horace?

Lecture Outline:

Lucretius: The Nature of Things
Rationalism
Horace: “We All Must Die”
Stoicism
Imperialism
Relationship of Rome to its colonies
Engineering & Architecture
Outstanding accomplishments
Pompeii
Illustration of a typical Roman city, its destruction

Supplementary materials::

• Roman Portraits in Ancient Egypt
• Etruscan art in the Vatican Museum
• French paintings of Roman historical subjects
• Tacitus: Annals (History of Ancient Rome)
• Lucretius: On the Nature of Things
• The Life of Julius Caesar, by Plutarch
• De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors
• Cicero home page
• Meditations of Marcus Aurelius
• Ancient Roman Dishes (recipes)
• Subterranean Rome

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Duiker 134-142; Brians 95-103)

Questions about Duiker: What is the subject of Virgil’s Aeneid? *Choose one of Ovid’s recommendations from The Art of Love and give your opinion of it. What quality characterized Roman portrait sculpture? *What were the main kinds of building projects that Roman engineering made possible (not architectural forms they used, like arches and vaults, but actual projects)? What criticisms did Cato the Elder make of women? What sorts of freedoms did upper-class Roman women have in the Early Empire? Describe Roman masters’ relationships with their slaves. Briefly describe the gladiatorial shows.

Questions about Ovid, Propertius, and Juvenal: *What are some of the moments in the story of Daedalus and Icarus that convey emotions? *What evidence is there that Propertius means us to be sympathetic or unsympathetic with Cynthia? What are the main characteristics of life in the city that the speaker objects to in Juvenal’s Satire on the City of Rome? *What aspects of life in ancient Rome did you learn about from reading this poem?

Lecture Topics
Literature
Ovid
Propertius
Juvenal
Sculpture
Other Art
Rome’s Fall

Supplementary materials:

• Tour of Turkey (photos by Paul Brians, including many of Greek and Roman classical sites)
• Learning to Read Rome’s Ruins
• Pompeii Forum Project
• Roman sculpture and architecture
• Trajan’s Column
• The Ovid Project Engravings from early editions.
• Virgil Home Page
• The Aeneid of Virgil
• Poems by Catullus 

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(Duiker 142-146; Brians optional: 122, required: 107-121)

Library assignment due today.

Questions about Duiker: What was the general Roman attitude toward other religions? What qualities led many people to the mystery religions of the Hellenistic east? Who were the Zealots? What were the some of the teachings of Jesus, as discussed in Duiker? *Why is Paul important? Why did the Romans view the Christians as harmful? *What qualities made it attractive? Why is the Emperor Constantine important in the history of Christianity?

Questions about “Selections from the Christian Scriptures:” What is different about the passage from Isaiah and the passage as Matthew quotes it? What is the significance of this difference? In the story of the Baptism of Jesus, what is the meaning of the imagery of the grain and the chaff? What image is used to depict the Holy Spirit? In “A miracle based on faith” what is it that Jesus says has caused the woman to be healed? How does Matthew 5: 38-48 say Christians should treat their enemies? *What kinds of people do the Beatitudes say are blessed? According to Matthew 7:13-23, which is easier, salvation or damnation? *What is the attitude toward planning for the future expressed in the passage entitled “The ascetic ideal?” Compare the attitudes expressed in this passage to those expressed in Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. What do they have in common? What differs? What aspects of the account of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus seem to lessen the responsibility of the Romans for Jesus’ death? Why would the story of the Last Supper have been more acceptable to non-Jews than to Jews? According to Romans 3:21-28, what makes all Christians equal? What arguments does Paul use against marriage? What does he say are reasons one should get married? In what way has the Catholic Church embraced the concept of celibacy? According to the last selection from Revelation, what will be different about the world after God comes to live with his peoples?

Question about Tacitus: What were the main accusations brought against the Christians?

Question about “The Apostles’ Creed:” To what belief does the phrase “he descended into hell” refer? *What is the future role of Jesus said to be?

Question about “The Nicene Creed”: What aspects of Jesus’ career are most emphasized in this creed? In what ways does it differ from the Apostle’s Creed?

Question about St. Augustine: “The Nature of Good and Evil;” Can you find any flaws in his argument that there is no contradiction between a perfectly good God and a universe containing evil? (If you are interested in this question, you might like to explore my analysis of it called The Problem of Evil).

Lecture Topics:
Jewish background of Christianity
Jesus
Paul
Jewish reaction to Christianity
Romans and Christians
Early church architecture
Dominance of Christianity
Early Christian imagery

Table used in today’s lecture:

Supplementary materials::

• Early Christian art
• Guide to Christian Literature on the Internet
• Guide to early Church documents
• Searchable Bibles in various languages
• Dead Sea Scrolls
• The “Palace” of Diocletian at Split
• Materials for the study of late antiquity
• Ancient Jewish Accounts of Jesus
• Ecole Initiative of Early Church History
• The Church Fathers Writings by the early founders of the Christian Church
• Christian Catacombs

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(Duiker 40-47, 51; Brians 142-145)

Questions about Duiker: *What were the traditional five major castes and what were their functions? *What disadvantages were there in being an untouchable? Why did the caste system survive for so many centuries? *Describe the roles of women in ancient India.

Questions about The Arthashastra: What is one way in which Kautilya advises the king to spy on his subjects? *What practical argument does Kautilya offer the king for supporting poor farmers (“cultivators”)? *In what ways did caste affect the way slaves were to be treated?

Lecture topics:
Arians and Dravidians
Historical background
Caste system
Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Sudras
Hinduism
Major values
The Vedas
Chandragupta Maurya and Kautalya’s Arthashastra
The Guptas
Greek influence

Chart for today’s lecture:

General outline of Indian history:

Supplementary materials:

• WSU Faculty tour of India (Photos by Paul Brians)
• Indian History Sourcebook (links)
• History of India
• Ancient India
• The Bhagavad Gita

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(Duiker 47-49, 52-58, 250-252; Brians optional: 126-131, required: 132-141, 153-161)

Questions about Duiker: What are the main goals of asceticism in Hinduism? What is Brahman? *How does karma relate to dharma? What compensations did the concept of reincarnation provide for those lower on the ladder of life? Explain the meaning conveyed by the sculpture of Siva depicted in your book. What are some of the characteristics of the Ramayana? Describe one Indian work of art or architecture. Why are the Ellora and the nearby Ajanta caves famous, and what makes them different from each other?

Questions about Sanskrit Verse from Ancient India: What images are associated with the idea of the rainy season in the Sanskrit verse? *What does the poetry have to say about poverty?

Questions about “Love Songs to Krishna:” *How could you interpret some of the lines in the first poem in religious terms? What varied emotions are expressed in the second poem? What functions do you think such a poem as the third one might play in a polygamous society? Does it express women’s feelings, or teach them how they should feel?

Question about the Bhagavad Gita: *How is Krishna’s claim that “the impermanent has no reality” supposed to help Arjuna?

Questions about Kalidasa’s The Recognition of Sakuntala: *In what ways are Sakuntala and the King compared to objects or phenomena in nature? What evidence is given in the poem that Sakuntala desires the King?

Lecture topics:
Ritual
Meditation, sacrifice, dietary laws
Roles of women, sati
Basic concepts
Syncretism
Terms: atman, samsara, karma,
moksha, puja, dharma, maya
Hindu themes in the arts
Literature
The Mahabahrata
Bhagavad Gita
Ramayana
Classical Sanskrit courtly literature
Kalidasa: Shakuntala
Vidyapati: songs to Krishna
Music: Mirabai songs
Jainism
Major beliefs and practices.
Sikkhism
Major beliefs and practices.
Temple Architecture

Supplementary materials:

• Asian Arts index
• Black Peacock Contains two series of paintings with extensive notes illustrating Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda and the Ramayana.
• God in Hindu Dharma and Temples
• Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Devotion
• The Batish Institute of Indian Music and Fine Arts click on links to learn about Indian music
• Hindu Universe
• Devi: The Great Goddess
• Puja: Expressions of Hindu Devotion
• Comic book version of the Ramayana

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(Duiker 49-51, 237-241; Brians 146-152)

* Revised library projects due

Questions about Duiker: Who was Siddhartha Gautama, and why was he famous? What, according to Siddhartha, causes human suffering? *How does Buddhism differ from Hinduism? *What two extremes did Siddhartha Gautama urge his followers to avoid in the sermon at Benares? How did Mahayana Buddhism differ from Theravada Buddhism?

Questions about the Buddha’s First Sermon: How does the Buddha think that pain can be avoided? *What is the relation between enlightenment and rebirth? *What are the Four Noble Truths? What is the Eightfold Path?

Question about the inscriptions of Ashoka Maurya: What exception does the king make in resolving to rule in peace? *What was his attitude toward other religions?

Question about the “Pure Land Sutra:” *What are the main distinctive beliefs of Mahayana Buddhism reflected in this sutra?

Lecture topics:
Life of the Buddha
The story of his enlightenment
Teachings of the Buddha
The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path
Nature of monasticism
Buddhism in India
The career of Ashoka
Major developments in Mahayana
Buddhism
Buddhist Art

Chart for today’s lecture:

The Eightfold Path

(abbreviated in text, different terminology, order):
1. Proper vision: world filled with suffering caused by desire, greed, self-seeking
2. Proper aims: don’t increase wealth and power at others’ expense, don’t lose self in sensuality, love others fully and increase their happiness
3. Proper speech: avoid lies, slander, chatter, quarrels
4. Proper action: avoid killing, theft, adultery, and other bodily sins
5. Proper livelihood: donït earn your living in a way that harms society: selling alcohol, butchery, etc.
6. Correct mental exercise: avoid evil thoughts, generate good ones, carry out good thoughts
7. Correct awareness: be aware that the body is made of unclean substances, examine sensations of pleasure and pain, functioning of the mind, meditate on evils that come from attachment to flesh and mind, and on methods to change
8. Proper meditation

Comparison of Buddhism with Hinduism from today’s lecture.

Supplementary materials:

• Introduction to Buddhism
• Online Collections of Buddhist Art
• Buddhist studies WWW Virtual Library
• Resources on Buddhism
• Journal of Buddhist Ethics
• My photo tour of India and Thailand

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(Duiker 65-87; Brians 162-165, 169-175)

Questions about Duiker: Explain the concept of a heavenly mandate. How does the book of Mencius say peasants should be treated? What are the two key elements of Confucianism discussed by Duiker? What were the main views of the legalists? How is Daoism (Taoism) different from Confucianism? How did Daoism influence Chinese art? *What were some of the main achievements of Qin Shi Huangdi? Why did Li Su recommend the burning of certain books? What system was established in the Han dynasty for choosing bureaucrats? What important things were invented during the Han Dynasty? What were traditional Chinese attitudes toward women? How did the Chinese solve the problem of communicating among the various languages spoken in various regions?

Questions about Confucius’ Analects: *What are the main values taught by Confucius? What are the main characteristics of a gentleman? Which does he say is more important for an orderly state: food, weapons, or a government that one can trust? How did he reply to questions about sacrifice and the ghosts of the dead?

Questions about the Ta-Hsüeh: How does this reading emphasize the traditional Confucian value of the importance of knowledge? Questions about Han Fei Tzu: What attitude does Han Fei express toward the common people? *What kinds of stern measures does he suggest should be enacted for their own good?

Questions about Ban Zhao’s “Lessons for Women:” *On what one subject does Ban Zhao insist on the rights of women? Does she hold a romantic view of marriage? Explain your answer.

Question about “Examples of Filial Piety:” Which do you think is the most extreme of these examples? Why?

Lecture topics:
Chou Dynasty
Period of chaos, classical age
Ch’in Dynasty
Confucianism vs. Legalism
Confucius: major ideas
The stereotype of legalism
The First Emperor
Ch’in Shih Huang-ti: major accomplishments, crimes
Buddhism
Buddhism’s reaction to Taoism
Major period of Buddhist art: T’ang Dynasty
Han Dynasty
Major period of stability
Trade
With Central Asia, Mediterranean
Science & Technology
Seismograph, compass, paper

Supplementary materials:s

• Asian Arts index
• Chinese Taoism
• Frequently asked questions about Taoism
• Translations of various Confucian classics.
• Various translations of the Tao Te Ching and other Taoist classics

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(Duiker 282-287; Brians 176-180)

Questions about Duiker: What inventions stimulated the development of Chinese literature? What is the theme of Li Bo’s (Li Po’s) poem, “Drinking Alone in Moonlight?” *What were the main themes of Chinese poetry? How does the poetry of Du Fu (Tu Fu) differ from that of Li Bo? What was the attitude of Chinese painters toward color by the tenth century?

Questions about Chinese Poetry: In “Banquet at the Tso Family Manor” what makes Tu Fu suddenly homesick? *In the first poem by Li Po, what is his solution to the sorrows of life? In the second poem of Li Po, what has happened during the night? In what way is the third poem of Li Po similar to the one by Tu Fu? *What problem does the charcoal seller in Po Chü-i’s poem have to deal with? What criticism does he make of Lao-tzü? *In Fu Hsüan’s poem, what are said to be the disadvantages of being born female? *In Mei Yao Ch’en’s poem, what is his attitude toward his dead wife? In Su Tung-p’o’s poem, what is his attitude toward the bureaucracy?

Lecture topics:
Ch’an Buddhism
Radical simplification, influence on art
Relationship of art and poetry
major themes

Chinese poetry in both Chinese and English

Chinese Poetry Database

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