2015-2016西方文化概论-复习提纲

What are the major functions of Greek mythology?

The first one is explanation. Greek myths lent structure and order to the world and explained how the current state of things had originated. One of the commonest types of explanation given in myths relates to ritual. Myths helped worshipers make sense of a religious practice by telling how the practice originated. A prime example is sacrifice, a ritual that involved killing a domesticated animal as an offering to the gods. The second one is exploration. Myths charted paths through difficult territory, examining contradictions and ambiguities. For instance,one of Homer’s Iliads’s themes explores the limits of honor.The dramatic genre of tragedy provides the clearest example of mythical exploration. The third one is legitimation（合法化). A claim, an action, or a relationship acquired extra authority if it had a precedent（先例） in myth. The final one

is

entertainment.

Myth telling

was

a

source

of

enjoyment

and

entertainment.,which was seen in Homer’s epics and some performances of tragic dramas.

2.

“Achilles’ Heel” is an idiom contributed to English language by

Homer in his epic of Iliad. What are the meaning and origin of this idiom?

It means a weak or vulnerable factor.The legend of Achilles has it that he was dipped into the river Styx by his mother Thetis in order to make him invulnerable. His heel wasn't covered by the water and he was later killed by an arrow wound to his heel.

3.

Why is Homer regarded as one of the most important figures in

Western history?

Homer is best known as the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey. He was believed by the ancient Greeks to have been the first and greatest of the epic poets. Author of

the first known literature of Europe, he is central to the Western canon.Homer was the earliest molder of the Greek outlook and character. For centuries, Greek youngsters grew up reciting the Homeric epics and admiring the Homeric heroes, who strove for honor and faced suffering and death with courage.

In what important ways was Aristotle different from Plato? What are some of Aristotle’s works that are still influential today?

1)

Aristotle was different from Plato in theories of ideas,forms,ethical thoughts

and political thoughts. Aristotle emphasized direct observation of nature and insisted that theory should follow fact. This is different from Plato’s reliance on subjective thinking.

2)

He thought that “idea” and matter together made concrete individual

realities in which he differed from Plato who held that ideas had higher reality than the political world.

His significant works includes: Ethics, Politics and Rhetoric.

4.

Who was Moses? What did he do for the Hebrews?

Moses was a famous Hebrew leader. Around 1300 B.C., Moses led the Hebrews to leave Egypt for the Promised Land. This was called the Exodus which lasted forty years. When the wandering Hebrews left the desert and entered the mountainous Sinai, Moses climbed to the top of the mountain to receive form god message, which came to be known as the Ten Commandments. He died shortly before the Hebrews arrived at their homeland.

5.

What is the chief Roman achievement in architecture? Give some

examples.

1) The Romans were great engineers. They covered their world from one end

to the other with roads, bridges,aqueducts, theatres and arenas.

2)

Some examples:

A. The Pantheon: the greatest the best preserved Roman temple built in 27B.C.. B. Pont du Gard: it is an exceptionally well-preserved aqueduct that spans a wide valley in southern France.

6.

What contribution did the Romans make to the laws of many

continental European countries?

Romans made contributions to the development of Roman law in form of Jus Civile, Jus Gentium Corpus and Juris Civilis.

The systematic study of Roman law spread from Italy throughout Europe from the 12th century onward. With the revival of European commerce and the inadequacy of medieval law to meet the requirements of the changing economic and social conditions, Roman law became incorporated in the legal systems of the many continental European countries.

7.

Why do we say the Bible has shaped Western culture more decisively

than anything else ever written?

Judeo-Christian tradition constitutes one of the two major components of European culture. The Bible which is virtually related to every phase of human life greatly influences people’s daily life, especially in the Middle Ages when almost everyone was a Christian; The Bible has great impact upon western literature. For a long period of time, the Latin Bible was accepted as the authority and Latin was official language of the Roman Catholic Church, so most Europe literature at that time was in

Latin. Besides it is generally accepted that the English Bible and Shakespeare are two great reservoirs of Modern English. Furthermore, the use of Biblical themes has been a literary tradition. In fact few great English and American writers of the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th century can be read and appreciated with satisfaction without a sufficient knowledge of the Bible; The study of the Christian teaching especially the Bible has become an important branch of knowledge—scholasticism which has been prevalent for centuries; The Bible has also influenced western philosophies and science. Thus the Bible has shaped western culture more decisively than anything else ever written.

8.

Why do we say the Bible, especially the Old Testament, has close

relations with the Mesopotamian culture?

The Hebrew patriarchs—Abraham (ancestor of multitude), Isaac, and Jacob (Israel), so prominently depicted(描述) in the Old Testament —were chieftains(头领) of semi-nomadic(游牧民族 ) clans that roamed(流浪) Palestine(巴勒斯坦) and occasionally journeyed to Mesopotamian civilization. For example, there are parallels between biblical law and the Mesopotamian legal tradition. Several biblical stories—the Creation, the Flood, the Garden of Eden—derive from Mesopotamian sources.

9.

Why is the Middle Ages in Europe often called as “Dark Ages”?

The term known as the Middle Ages is synonymous with the Dark Ages for several reasons as the period between 500-1500 A.D. included political turmoil, social unrest and the spread of disease. The Middle Ages brought great change to Europe in many respects, including social mobility, politics and the way of life. Some changes proved beneficial, but the time period experienced negative effects from the change too

11．What contributions did the Crusades(十字军东征军) make to the western civilization?

Although the Crusades did not achieve their goal to regain the Holy land, they brought the East into closer contact with the West. And they greatly influenced the history of Europe.

Besides, through their contact with the more cultured Byzantines and Moslems, the western Europeans changed many of their old ideas.

The Crusades also resulted in renewing people’s interest in learning and invention.