Historia de la Educación - Historia de la educación griega 1/2

Overview of Greek Education from Archaic to Hellenistic Period

Introduction to Greek Education

• Daniel Casado Rigal introduces the topic of Greek education, focusing on its evolution from the Archaic period to the Hellenistic era.

• The timeline of ancient Greek civilization is outlined: Dark Ages, Archaic period, Classical Greece, and Hellenistic period.

The Dark Ages and Archaic Society

• The Dark Ages followed the collapse of Mycenaean civilization around 1200 BC, characterized by a scarcity of sources and archaeological silence.

• During the Archaic period, a new society emerged with an aristocracy led by a king or chief known as "basileus," marking a shift in social structure.

Educational Aspirations in Archaic Greece

• Homer's influence on education is highlighted; he serves as both poet and historian, shaping educational ideals through his works.

• The concept of "paidella" emerges as representing the highest educational aspiration in ancient Greece, encapsulated in Homer's writings.

Key Concepts in Paidella

• Areté (virtue), defined as cultivating noble qualities such as respect for gods and goodness, becomes central to educational ideals.

• Tecné encompasses physical training and arts like music and rhetoric; it reflects a holistic approach to education during this time.

Transitioning Values from Heroism to Wisdom

• In contrast to earlier aspirations for heroism (being first in war or Olympics), later periods valued wisdom more highly.

• Essential values during the Archaic period included honor, duty, pride in lineage, and love for glory—indicative of an aristocratic society.

Pedagogical Methods: Mímesis

• Mímesis (imitation) was crucial in education; students imitated heroes or gods initially but shifted towards artists over time.

• Poetry served as an educational tool emphasizing repetition without reflection until philosophy began promoting critical thinking.

Hesiod's Contribution to Education

• Hesiod presents an alternative view on education focused on labor ethics through his work "Works and Days," contrasting Homer’s aristocratic values.

• He emphasizes hard work, simple wisdom, justice based on societal order rather than aristocratic tradition—democratizing education's reach.

Societal Shifts Leading into Classical Greece

• Hesiod is recognized as a precursor to political philosophy; he introduced new social perspectives that would evolve further during classical times.

Rivalry Between City-states: Sparta vs. Athens

• As Greece transitioned into classical times (5th century BC), rivalry between powerful city-states like Sparta and Athens became prominent.

History of Spartan Society and Education

Overview of Spartan Society

• The city of Sparta, known as "paidella espartana," has historical records dating back to the 10th century BC, highlighting its social stratification with a dominant class of Spartans and subjugated groups.

• The social structure included helots (slaves who worked the land without rights) and perioeci (small property owners from the working class), creating a climate of social tension and rivalry with other poleis.

Political Structure

• Sparta operated under a diarchy, where power was shared between two kings supported by institutions like the ephorate, council of elders (Gerousia), and popular assembly (Apella).

• By the 6th century BC, Sparta experienced cultural flourishing in poetry and music but gradually shifted towards militarism and internal isolation.

Educational System

• Spartan education focused on military preparation rather than intellectual pursuits; philosophers or artists were not valued.

• Children were considered state property, emphasizing community over individualism. Key values included discipline, obedience, communal spirit, honor, loyalty, temperance, resilience to suffering, and laconic speech.

Curriculum and Training

• The educational curriculum was minimalistic: reading, writing, arithmetic, memorization of Homeric verses, moral traditions from elders, physical exercises, and military strategy.

• Despite limited intellectual training leading to widespread illiteracy noted by Plato and Plutarch, leisure activities such as dance and communal feasts were part of Spartan life.

Role of Women in Sparta

• Spartan women were encouraged to develop physical strength for procreation; competitions valued their agility and strength.

• Adultery was justified if it contributed to producing strong offspring due to population losses from wars; however, infanticide occurred for weak or malformed newborns.

State Control Over Individuals

• The state owned individuals through laws that governed family structures; education mirrored military organization resembling a barracks system.

• Education began at birth with maternal care until age seven. Subsequent stages included childhood (7–18 years), adolescence (18–20 years), youth (20–30 years), culminating in full citizenship at 30.

Conclusion on Spartan Ideals

• While often stereotyped as militaristic with little regard for intellect or culture compared to other Greek city-states, Sparta garnered admiration for its community solidarity and practical discipline.