Assignment #4

Steven Johnston, American Dionysia

1. What would it mean for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial to mitigate its inscriptions for Steven Johnston?

To mitigate the inscriptions on the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial is a failure of democracy to Johnston. He argues that democracy should make up for its deficiencies in its memorials, and to lessen the gravity of the sacrifices in this memorial would be to do just that.

2. Importance of the realization that soldiers often die for nothing; what work should that knowledge perform?

The realization that soldiers often die for nothing would serve as knowledge that we can recognize that we forced our soldiers to commit crimes. It would point to the criminal nature of war. This knowledge should also encourage anger from citizens when their country goes to war. This would in a way work to expose democracy. PG 88.

3. What does Johnston say about the position of the enemy in memory and memorials? How does Johnston suggest we should treat our enemies?

Johnston says that we should be able to include the enemy into the memorial either by having them design the memorial or by having their perspective incorporated in the memorial. We should use them to create a world where their ideology no longer exists. PG 27.

4. Does Johnston advocate tragic or triumphant orientations to memorials and public memory?

Johnston advocated for tragic orientations to memorials and public memories. He encourages what he calls ‘tragic patriotism’ discouraging ‘patriotic democracy’s’ need for tributes that recognize a countries greatness and ignite feelings of pride. He argues that this can also encourage people to forget the costs of the achievements that are commemorated. Most importantly he encourages something that he calls Admissions Day where democracy would stop and it is used to recognize the damage that democracy might have on its citizens. PG 83.

Read Joan Connelly, The Parthenon Enigma pages 1- 125 before we arrive in Athens.

5. Who proclaimed in the 18th century that the peak of Greek art coincided with their democratic form of government?

Johann Winckelmann. PG xi

6.  Who banned all polytheistic statuary?

Roman emperor Theodosios I. PG xvi

7. Who was enthroned on the Acropolis and dedicated a reconstruction of the Parthenon? What would be removed?

King Otto was enthroned on the Acropolis. It was Leo von Klenze who advocated for the restoration saying that “all the remains of barbarity will be removed.” The king then obliged to this and allowed it to happen. PG. xi