AS Greek

• Unit G1: Greek Language (1.5 hrs)

• Unit G2: Greek Verse and Prose Literature (1.5 hrs)– Homer, Iliad 16– Lysias, Against Eratosthenes, 1-36

Lysias: The ExamYou will be presented with a passage (or passages) of the

text:• Translation question

– c. 5 lines– Worth 30% marks– Needs to be accurate and fast

• Literary evaluation questions• Mini-essay

– 10 marks– Approx. 15 mins

• Knowledge of context/factual background to the text – 1 mark questions

Key Skills

• Ability to translate the text accurately and quickly• Ability to offer literary evaluation of short

passages• Ability to write mini-essays on whole-text issues

e.g. how Lysias makes his speech dramatic and engaging, the importance of characterisation to his case

• You also need to know the historical context of the speech

Lysias

Lysias:Against Eratosthenes

• Lysias was one of the canon of ancient orators

• Against Eratosthenes is one of the most famous speeches surviving from ancient Greece

• A forensic (legal) speech delivered in Athens• Highly emotionally charged: Lysias is

prosecuting someone for the murder of his brother

The Case

Peloponnesian war

Athens vs. Sparta

Sparta wins & sets up new government in Athens = the Thirty Tyrants

‘Thirty’ killed metics and citizens to gain wealth and secure their regime

Lysias’ brother (a metic) killed, Lysias escapes

‘Thirty’ defeated in battle by rebel Athenians

Democracy restored

Amnesty for all actions during Thirty’s reign – but Thirty had to undergo public scrutiny

Lysias prosecutes E

404-402 BC

Bitter feelings, old grievances

Factions, power struggles

Upheaval Rapid change

Problem 1: This is a public prosecution

• The case is part of the public process of ‘euthunai’ – the scrutiny of the Thirty’s actions

• This meant that Lysias could not focus just on the personal issue of his brother’s death

Problem 2: Eratosthenes was a ‘moderate’ tyrant

• Supporter of the leading moderate Theramenes

• Theramenes regarded by Athenian public as a brave and heroic resister, who died for his beliefs

• Eratosthenes did not actually kill Lysias’ brother – he only arrested him

Problem 3: Rhetoric and the Courts

• What part does speech making play in our lives today?

• When & where do we hear speeches?

• Who gives speeches?

Rhetoric was crucial to Athenian life• Gorgias compared the art of persuasion to magic• Demosthenes called democracy a ‘constitution of speech-

making’• Athens was a radical democracy – i.e. decisions made by the

people in the agora on the basis of speeches• Large citizen juries in the law courts• ‘Display’ speeches (epideictic oratory)• Rhetoric crucial to tragedy and comedy (performance crucial)

Rhetoric was crucial to power and a way of asserting power and freedom

Rhetoric was a high-prestige art form (as well as serving a practical function)

The Courts

• Very large juries – 201-2001 people• Jury very powerful

– Decided the verdict– Might decide the penalty– Not bound by precedent

• Limited time• Very noisy• Litigants had to present their own cases – no

lawyers to do it for them

What tactics do you think would bring success in these

conditions?

As a speaker, how would you approach your task?

Two Rhetorical Styles

‘Gorgianic’ style• Poetic language• Grand and elaborate

sentences construction

• Rhyming and word patterns

• Balance, antithesis• Metaphor• Rhythm

‘Pure’ style• Closer to everyday

speech• Less contrived

sentence structure• Less elevated

vocabulary• Avoidance of elaborate

rhetorical effects e.g. prose rhythm, rhyming, word patterns

Lysias’ Style• Purity of expression: current vs. archaic vocab• Everyday language: absence of metaphor, figurative

language and poetic words• Lucid• Brevity of expression, ideas reduced to their essentials• Artlessness, making what is said appear true to life• Vivid descriptions of actions and characters• Strong characterisation (ethopoiia) NB this is dramatic

character – it may not be true to real character• Charm, good timing

• Also: antithesis – a more Gorgianic feature

Structure of the Speech

• Proem

• Narrative

• Proofs

• Epilogue

• We read up to mid-way through the proofs section of Against Eratosthenes

Proem• Important for establishing first impressions on jury• Tailored to the individual circumstances, but full of usual rhetorical themes

Narrative• Needs to convince jury that litigant is speaking the truth• Needs to paint a clear, consistent and credible version of events• Needs to covey powerfully the client’s view of the case• Vivid, exciting, emotionally engaging

Proofs• Inartificial proofs (ατεχνοι): evidence of witnesses, slaves, contracts, law

and oaths (but placing of these within the speech is important)• Artificial proofs (εντεχνοι): moral character, emotional effect produced in

the listener, and argument (generally from probability). Lysias links these closely with what has emerged during the narrative, adding to their plausibility.

Narrative: Key functions

• Needs to convince jury that litigant is speaking the truth• Needs to paint a clear, consistent and credible version of

events• Needs to covey powerfully the client’s view of the case• Vivid, exciting, emotionally engaging

Assessment Objectives

• AO1 Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding– Recall and deploy relevant knowledge and

understanding of literary, cultural, material or historical sources or linguistic forms, in their appropriate contexts

• AO2 Analysis, Evaluation and Presentation– Analyse, evaluate and respond to classical sources as

appropriate– Select, organise and present relevant information and

argument in a clear, logical, accurate and appropriate form

AO1 - Knowledge AO2 - Analysis

AS Unit G1 50% 50%

AS Unit G2 50% 50%

A2 Unit G3 40% 60%

A2 Unit G4 40% 60%

Candidates should be able to:• Demonstrate knowledge, an understanding and

an appreciation of Greek texts within their literary, social and historical contexts as appropriate. This includes translation of the Greek text into English

• Demonstrate an understanding of Greek literary techniques

• Evaluate evidence and draw conclusions using appropriate reference or quotation

• Produce personal responses to Greek literature showing an understanding of the Greek text

Quality of Written Communication

• Ensure that writing is legible, and that spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate so that meaning is clear

• Select and use a form and style of writing appropriate to the purpose and to the complex subject matter

• Organise information clearly and coherently, using specialist vocabulary where necessary