CVSP 201 Final, Fall 1996

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT CIVILIZATION SEQUENCE 201 FINAL EXAMINATION ¥ TIME: 2 HOURS JAN. 27, 1997 Dr. Mona Amyuni STUDENT NUMBER: Select FOUR topics from below and write one or two pages on each topic. Focus well on each topic and be specific. Allow half an hour for each topic. On _Epic Heroes We have read three epic poems which sing the heroic ideals of three cultures the Mesopotamian, the Greek, and the Roman. Sum up these ideals as incarnated by two out of the three epic heroes. 2. ON MAN Protogoras the Sophist holds that “Of all things the measure is man” Explain this statement and its implications in the spheres of individuals, and then, of nations. Let Socrates and Plato react to the statement in the spheres of individuals and of nations. Let Lucretius react to it, explaining his own vision of man and man's goal in life. “The Two Epigrams on the Temple of Apollo said: a- Know thyself b- Moderation is best. Study those two maxims in” the light of: aj Oedipus's guilt or innocence. b) Thucydides's The Peloponnesian War. . c) Socrates's “Divine mission” d) Aristotle's approach to ethics. “We do not say that a man who takes no interest in politics is a man who minds his own business; we say that he has no business at all.” Explain this. statement by Pericles, showing what is meant by politics here and what is the vision of man in this context. What are the attitudes of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle regarding this problem? Would they agree or disagree with Pericles? Consider each individual attitude first then enlarge your discussion by showing what is the Greek view of man and politics. Compare and contrast the charaters (attitudes or characteristics of personality etc..) of: a) Odysseus & Aeneas b) Penelope & Dido ON LOVE Compare and contrast the love - scenes between: 1. Odysseus and Kalypso 2. Odysseus and Penelope y 3. Aeneas and Dido Don't forget to situate each love-scene in its proper context and to draw out of it important conclusions that relate to the theme of each epic poem. ON MORALITY: According to the Greek Unit we have read, ld he improve in life, could he has man a moral sense, cou become a better man and how would he achieve this? Take examples from our Greek readings to support your discussion. own stand in relation to Give, in your conclusion, your the problem under discussion.