Humanities 1010 with Prof. Candyce Sweet

This famous temple to the god of healing and the sun was built towards the middle of the 5th century B.C. in the lonely heights of the Arcadian mountains. The temple, which has the oldest Corinthian capital yet found, combines the Archaic style and the serenity of the Doric style with some daring architectural features.

This serial property comprises six archaeological sites on Crete dating from 1900 to 1100 BCE. These sites represent the Minoan civilization, a major prehistoric Mediterranean culture. The palatial centres served as administrative, economic, and religious hubs, featuring advanced architecture, urban planning, and vibrant frescoes. They reveal early writing systems, maritime networks, and cultural exchanges. The property highlights the complexity of the Minoans’ social structure and their enduring influence on Mediterranean history.

The archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns are the imposing ruins of the two greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilization, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century B.C. and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture. These two cities are indissolubly linked to the Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey , which have influenced European art and literature for more than three millennia.

This visually beautiful program traces Greek civilization from early Minoan society and describes how Greek literature, art and philiosophy contributed to western civilization. Reviews Greek rivalry with Persia, the growth of democracy in Athens, Solon's laws, and the art and philosophy of Athen's Golden Age. (27 minutes)

Trace the origins of human habitation on the mainland and islands of Greece. Study the Bronze Age cultures of the Cycladic islands; the famed Minoan civilization centered on Crete, with its palaces and religious ritual; and the Mycenaean civilization, with its monumental architecture. Learn about Mycenae’s connection with the Trojan War, and what may have led to its collapse. (34 minutes)

58 Minutes

Engineering An Empire: Greece: Western Civilization has been influenced by many cultures, but it was born in Ancient Greece. The Ancient Greeks laid a foundation that has supported nearly 3000 years. (45 minutes)

The tale of the Trojan Horse is one of the most captivating stories in Greek mythology. Since the 19th-century discovery of the site of Troy, historians have searched for evidence of a real Trojan War, and the truth behind this famous myth. Archaeological evidence is mounting that suggests a Trojan War did indeed happen. Scientists investigate the real possibility that a Trojan Horse could have been used to trick Troy into defeat. (55 minutes)

Turn to the Etruscans’ extensive trade network across the Mediterranean, and consider some of their imports from the Greeks and Phoenicians—including pottery, ivory, glass, and more. Reflect on arts and crafts such as Greek vases, terra-cotta vessels, and pottery, and find out what Etruscan imports and exports might tell us about their politics and society. (31 minutes)

This program looks at the theatres of Herodus Atticus, Epidauros, Corinth (where Arion is said to have taught the dithyramb), and many others to explain the design of the ancient theater, the synthesis of art forms that was ancient Greek drama, the origins of tragedy, the audience in classical times, the comparative roles of writer/director and actors, and the use of the surrounding landscape in many plays. (23 minutes)