Problem
A. How did ancient Greek philosophy develop? What were the primary interests of the Ancient Greek philosophers? What ideas did they develop about the nature of the universe and about human societies?
B. What is "democracy"? Why did Democracy develop in the Ancient Greek city states (especially Athens)?
How did ancient Greek democracy differ from our own? Do you think that the Ancient Athenians would have considered the United States a democracy"?
C. "On the Killing of Eratosthenes" is a defense speech written by Lysias, a logographos ("speech-writer") to be delivered by Euphiletos, and man accused of killing his wife's lover, Eratosthenes. In Ancient Athenian trials, prosecutors and defendants were expected to speak for themselves to make their case, for a limited amount of time (measured by water clocks), although they could hire a speech-writer, like Lysias. The case was presented in front of a larger jury, made up of 200-2000 ordinary Athenian citizens, who would then vote, first on guilt or innocence, second on penalties.
Euphiletos' defense does not revolve around whether he killed Eratosthenes (he proudly admits that he did), but whether his killing was within the bounds of Athenian law. Could a man kill another man who has invaded his home and slept with his wife? Could he do so with planning and premeditation?
"On the Killing of Eratosthenes" is one of our most vivid sources on the domestic life of Athenian men and women, as Euphiletos describes his marriage to his wife, their living arrangEments, and the intervention of Eratosthenes, the "seducer" into his family life. What does the speech tell us about the lives of women in Democratic Athens?
Another question is what does the speech tell us about Athenian Democracy? Throughout the speech, Euphiletos appeals to his fellow-citizens, and suggests that his act of killing was not simply revenge, but was, in fact, an expression of "democratic values." Who was Athenian democracy for, exactly?