Lecture 1.2  Mediterranean Background

1. Sunset project
2. Finish discussion of last day
3. New Lecture

1.  2005                        2005
Perihelion  Jan   2 01    Equinoxes  Mar   20 12 33    Sept  22 22 23
Aphelion    July  5 05    Solstices  June  21 06 46    Dec   21 18 35

“Primitive” Thought

1.  elements of primitive thought: specificity of cause, time and place
    long periods of time unimaginable;
    causes tend to be identified with beginnings (so Hesiod)
        no clear distinction between historical and scientific explanations
        in accounts of beginnings the stages are often isolated except in temporal succession
    multiple explanations in mythologies: primitive mentality

2.  orality and literacy
early literary inventories are very extensive, far beyond the capacity of memory
    technology is immediately put to use, and new questions can be asked
    so Babylonian celestial observations
        but cf. Panini