Primary Source Documents Window to Understanding

1
Primary Source DocumentsWindow to Understanding

• Mr. Oberholtzer
• A-36

2
What Are Primary Sources?

• Original texts, documents created by the people
  being studied.
• Primary sources are not interpreted for the
  reader all meaning must be grasped and
  synthesized from the document!

3
Why Read Primary Sources?

• To understand the ideas of past peoples
• To experience the intellectual heritage of the
  past firsthand
• To interpret the meaning of the primary source
  and relate to the present!

4
Thucydides--History of Peloponnesian War

• Used oral sources and eyewitness information to
  provide a factual account--modern history!
• Theme--the importance of the individual in
  history (Pericles)
• Providing an account for future historians to
  study moral lesson is that virtuous behavior
  will triumph!

5
Aristotle--Constitution of Athens

• Influence of the virtuous individual Pericles
  saves the city, leading through example.
• Moral Leadership (virtue) leads to increase in
  wealth, creation of true democracy, enoblement of
  life
• Pericles follows the ideas of Aristotle!
• Athens is made great by virtue!

6
Old Oligarch

• Aristocratic, detests the lower classes
• Hates democracy as a system, but admires how well
  the constitution perpetuates democracy
• Believes the working classes are source of wealth
  power and should get more
• Would prefer Platos Republic
• Criticizes the system, not the people (sounds
  like a modern politician!)

7
Homer--Death of Achilles

• Epic story is an example of proper behavior
• Provides inspiration in heroic figures for the
  Greeks
• Provides a window to the past the Epic is actual
  history
• details in the story a too realistic only a
  veteran soldier would know them
• Weapons, description of combat are historically
  accurate

8
Hippocrates--Hippocratic Oath

• Hippocrates was the Father of Medicine
• Basic Creed--Above all else, do no harm
• All doctors are obligated to try to heal the
  patient
• Doctors may prolong life, not hasten death
• Doctor must teach the art of healing for free to
  all who desire to learn.