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Mountains covered ¾ of Ancient Greece- only ¼ of the land was arable (suitable for agriculture)
Effect on politics• Small, local community governments-
NEVER united into one empire Effect on population
• Not enough farm land to support a large population
Minoans• Crete; sea traders• Influenced Mycaneans
Mycenaeans – Indo-Europeans who preserved and spread Minoan culture•Trojan War – fought between the Mycenaeans and the Trojans about 1200 BCE
Around 1200 BC, Mycenaean civilization collapsed.
The Dorians moved into the countryside.
No writing
o The ancient Greeks believed a healthy body is equal to a healthy mind.
o Ancient Greek city-states were always at war with one another. All battles stopped during the Olympic festival. The soldiers who were also good athletes were allowed to travel to Olympia to participate in the events.
o This was a tradition practiced to honor the Greek god Zeus. There would be no war or battle for seven days prior to the battle and seven days after the battle.
• Athletes trained in the nude• Women were not allowed to watch• Prize – “athlon” - The prizes were a
wreath of olive leaves or a branch of palm or woolen ribbons.
• Only one event was conducted for the first thirteen Olympics.• "Stadion" race, where the athletes raced up one
length of the stadium that was 192 meters• Players ran back and forth like a swimming event
Discus Javelin Long Jump Boxing – no rounds Wrestling – in the nude – biting was
illegal Pankration – an all out brawl – no biting
or gouging out opponents eyes Pentathlon – contest of 5 different
events
Zeus overthrew his father to rule.
He was believed to be the lord of the sky, the rain god.
Married to Hera Punished anyone
who lied to him or failed to keep their oaths.
Brother of Zeus He was lord of the
sea according to Greek mythology
Married Amphitrite His weapon was
the trident which can shake the earth and shatter any object.
Brother of Zeus He got the worst draw
and became the lord of the underworld ruling over the dead.
He is also the god of wealth due to the precious metals in the earth.
His wife is Persephone
Wife and sister of Zeus She is the Goddess of
the Hearth, the symbol of the house around which a new born child is carried before it is received into the family.
Ares: disliked by both parents. god of War Athena: sprang fully grown from her
father’s forehead. goddess of the city and agriculture.
Apollo: god of music Aphrodite: goddess of love, desire and
beauty. Hermes: Zeus’ messenger Artemis: goddess of wild things Hephaestus: only god that was physically
ugly and lame. God of fire and forge.
Remember, a city-state is a city and it’s surrounding lands controlled by a strong government----- the Greeks did not unite into an empire- but a league of loosely united city-states
Polis- fundamental political unit in ancient Greece (Greek city-state)• Made up of a city and its surrounding countryside
• 50-500 square miles• Less than 10,000 residents• Citizens gathered at the agora (marketplace) on
the acropolis (fortified hill-top) to discuss city government
www.grisel.net/acropolis.htm
The Acropolis in Athens Today
Greek city-states had many different forms of government• Monarchy- a single person, KING, ruled the government• Aristocracy- ruled by a small group of noble, land-
owning families. Rich families gained political power after serving in king’s cavalry As trade grew, new merchant class grew and if they were not happy with
rule, they took power or shared it with nobility• Oligarchy- ruled by a few powerful people a new class
of wealthy merchants dissatisfied with nobles took over power
• Democracy: rule of the people – government is controlled by its citizens, either directly or through representatives
• Tyrants-powerful leaders who gained support of common people after agreeing to set up building programs and provide jobs for their supporters.
Athenian democracy: rule by the people in Athensa. Draco- legal code- all Athenians were equal
under law & death was punishment for most crimes & upheld debt slavery – dealt harsh punishments for criminals
a. First step to a democracyb. Solon- four social classes based on wealth- only
TOP three could hold political office; all could participate in Athenian assembly
a. Introduces concept that any citizen could bring charges against wrong doers
b. Abolishes debt slavery
a. Cleisthenes- divided citizens based on where they lived not wealth
a. 10 groups – breaking up the wealthb. citizens could submit laws, to the council of
Five Hundred proposed laws and counseled the Assembly (members were chosen at random)
c. Only native-born, property-owning males are citizens
d. These reforms allowed Athenian citizens to participate in a limited democracy
Schooling only for sons of wealthy families• Began around age 7 and largely prepared boys to
be good citizens.• Studied reading, grammar, poetry, history, math,
and music• Received training in logic and public speaking• When boys got older, they went to military school
to learn how to defend Athens – another important part of citizenry
Girls learn from mothers and other female members of household • Learned about child-rearing, weaving, cooking,
cleaning, and other skills to make them good wives/mothers
• Very few learned to read/write
Located in southern part of Greece•Sparta, isolated from
much of Greece, builds military state
Around 725 B.C., Sparta conquers Messenia•Messenians become
helots—peasants forced to farm the land Spartans demanded ½
helots crops a year•Harsh rule leads to
Messenian revolt; Spartans build stronger state
Sparta government has four branches; citizens elect officials
Three social classes: citizens, free noncitizens, helots—slaves
Branches of governmenta. Citizens and elected officials general assembly-voted on
issuesb. Elders 30 older citizens that proposed the laws to the
assembly – Council of Eldersc. 5 elected officials carried out the laws passed by assembly
and 2 kings for military operations• This is closer to a republic than a pure democracy.
• Republic – power rests with citizens who have right to vote for their leaders
Spartan values: duty, strength, individuality, discipline over freedom • All forms of individual expression discouraged
Sparta has the most powerful army in Greece
All men served in the army until age 60• Daily life centered around military training
From age 7 – 30, they lived in Army barracks and trained• Spent days marching, exercising, and fighting
All put service to Sparta above everything else – controlled their lives
Iron weapons affordable to all New army of foot soldiers – hoplites Led to new army formation called the phalanx
– the most feared force in the ancient world.• Stood side by side each holding a spear in one hand and
a shield in the other• Most powerful fighting force in ancient world
Assisted Greeks in the Persian Wars
Girls receive some military training and live hardy lives
Girls also taught to value service to Sparta above all else
Women sent their husbands and sons off to war with a motto, “Return with your shield or on them.”
Spartan women had a lot of freedom, especially running the family estates when husbands were on active military service.
Unhealthy babies were left to die on hillsides near the ocean.
What does this tell you about Spartan culture?
•Persia’s western expansion threatened Greek independence. Began in Ionia (on the coast of Anatolia) Greeks settled there long before Persians came in and conquered it.
•Greeks did not and could not tolerate losing their freedom.
•The Greek colonies joined together and rebelled and overthrew the Persian rule. Athens send aid
• Persian army attacks Athens, is defeated at Marathon in 490 B.C. 490 BC a Persian fleet of 25,000 men 10,000 Athenians in phalanxes waited Greeks vastly outnumbered but charged Persians lost more than 6,000 while
Athens 200 War shows that Persians were not
invincible• Runner Pheidippides races to Athens to
announce Greek victory Although Athens won battle, their city
was defenseless. “Rejoice we conquer”
After Greek victory at Marathon, Darius III (leader of Persia) was furious and organized an invasion.
He died before the invasion but his son Xerxes carried it out 10 years later.
In 480 B.C., Persians launch new invasion of Greece
Greeks are divided; many stay neutral or side with Persians
Xerxes’ army met no resistance as it marched down the eastern coast of Greece until they came to a narrow pass with 7,000 Greeks blocking their way.
Greek forces hold Thermopylae for three days before retreating
A force of 7000 Greeks faced 200,000 Persians.
Greek forces hold Thermopylae for three days before retreating
A Greek traitor gave the Persians an advantage and the Greeks were forced to retreat…all but three hundred Spartans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gfZnWVoqZ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kuna7sC5ek
Athenians debated how best to defend their city. Themistocles, an Athenian leader, convinced them to
evacuate the city and fight at sea. Position their fleet in a narrow channel near the island of
Salamis. Xerxes sets fire to Athens and orders his warships to
block both ends of channel Channel very small and Persian ships are too big and
can’t maneuver well Smaller Greek ships with battering rams attacked Xerxes watched as more than 1/3 of his fleet sank.
New self-confidence in Greece due to victory against Persians
Athens emerges as leader of Delian League Includes 200 city-states
Athens controls the league by using force against opponents
League members essentially become provinces of Athenian empire Used military force against members who challenged its
authority Stage is set for a dazzling burst of creativity in
Athens Intellectual and artistic learning – Golden Age of Athens
Skillful politician, inspiring speaker, respected general Led Athens during much of the Golden Age
Dominates life in Athens from 461 to 429 B.C. I. Goals
a.Strengthen democracy in Athensb.Hold and strengthen the “empire”c.Glorify Athensd.Stronger democracy: increased the number of paid
officialsc. Direct Democracy: citizens rule directly, not through
representativesc. Male citizens who served in assembly established all important
government policies in Athenian polis
Athenian Empire•Takes over Delian League; uses money to strengthen Athenian fleet Strongest fleet in the Mediterranean Sparta and other cities resent Athenian power and began making their own alliances
Glorifying Athens• Pericles buys gold, ivory, marble; hires artisans to
beautify Athens Classical art – used to describe idealistic, serene, graceful art
of Athens during Age of Pericles
Pericles goal was to have the greatest Greek artists and architects create magnificent sculptures and buildings to glorify Athens.
Pericles builds the Parthenon—a large temple to honor goddess Athena
Within temple, sculptor Phidias crafts 30-foot statue of Athena
Sculptors create graceful, strong, perfectly formed figures Faces show neither joy or anger, only serenity Sculptors tried to capture the grace of the
idealized human body in motion; portray beauty not realism
Classical art—values harmony, order, balance, proportion, beauty
Doric IonicCorinthian
Euclid: work is still the basis of courses in geometry; wrote Elements
Pythagoras – Ionian Greek philosopher who founded pythagoreanism
Archimedes: ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer – generally considered greatest mathematician of all time
Greeks invent drama as an art form; includes chorus, dance, poetry Theatrical productions in Athens were both an
expression of civic pride and a tribute to the gods. Two forms of drama: tragedy and comedy Tragedy—tells story of heroes’ downfall;
themes of love, hate, war Tragic hero – extraordinary abilities but one tragic
flaw
Comedy—makes fun of politics and respected people; slapstick humor Athenians could listen to criticism of themselves
illustrating freedom and openness of public discussion Greek dramatists include Aeschylus, Euripides,
Aristophanes Historians Herodotus and Thucydides record and
study past events Herodotus’ book of the Persian Wars considered first work of history Thucydides greatest historian from classical age – he believed certain types of
events and political situations recur over time and studying these events would aid in the understanding of the present
As Athens grew in wealth, prestige, and power, other city-states viewed it with hostility especially Sparta
Sparta vs. Athens- 431 BC Sparta had a strong army, Athens had a strong Navy- both wanted
war!• Athens weakened (during the 2nd year b/c of plague)
Plague essentially kills Pericles• 421 BC- signed a truce• 415 BC- Athens attacked Sicily (an ally of Sparta)
Fleet of 20,000 soldiers sent – plan was to destroy city-state Syracuse (one of Sparta’s wealthiest allies)
Crushing Athenian defeat• 404 BC- Athens is defeated in Sicily, but held out for 9 more years defending
their city.• Athenians and allies surrendered and Athens lost its empire, wealth,
After the war, rise of philosophers—thinkers, "lovers of wisdom“• Athenians had lost confidence in democratic government
and began to question its values• Time of uncertainty – thinkers determined to seek the
truth Greek thinkers based their philosophy on 2
assumptions:• Believe universe is subject to absolute and unchanging
laws• People could understand these laws through logic, reason
Socrates- absolute truth and justice don’t exist, question everything (Socratic Method) 1. believes in questioning,
self-examination of values, actions
1. “The unexamined life is not worth living. There is only one good – knowledge and one evil – ignorance.”
2. Convicted of corrupting young people and neglecting city-gods; sentenced to death in 399 B.C.
Plato- student of Socrates: The Republic (book) his vision of a perfectly formed (ideal) society- was not democracy• Establishes Athens school
(The Academy) lasts 900 years
• His writings dominate European philosophy for 1,500 years
• Said all citizens would naturally fall into 3 groups: Farmers and artisans Warriors Ruling class
Aristotle- invented rules of arguing that form the basis of the scientific method• student of Plato; uses rules
of logic for argument• Questioned the nature of the
world and of human belief, thought, and knowledge
• Tutors 13-year-old prince who becomes Alexander the Great
Reminder: Greek city-states were weakened by the Peloponnesian WarMacedonian King Philip II took notice
Location- Just north of Greece- rocky terrain and cold climate- most Macedonians were animal herders
Major resource- shrewd & fearless kings Thought of themselves as Greeks
•Greeks saw them as uncivilized b/c they had no great philosophers, sculptors or writers.
King at 23 years old Brilliant general and a ruthless politician Turned the peasants into a strong
professional army• Phalanxes (16x16) to break through enemy
lines• Fast moving cavalry to crush opponents
Attacked & easily defeated the Greeks• City-states could not agree on anything
thus never united against Philip• Athens and Thebes united, but it was too
late• Macedonians soundly defeated Greeks
ending Greek independence• Began centuries of foreign control of
Greece City-states retained self-government in local
areas however, Greece itself remained firmly under the control of a succession of foreign powers
Greece would be first Persia would be next Never able to complete plan b/c
he was assassinated at his daughter’s wedding (literally stabbed in the back)
Alexander proclaimed himself king only 20 years old• Well prepared to be a leader
Crushed an early rebellion by Thebes • 6000 Thebans killed- survivors
sold into slavery and the city was destroyed
• Frightened by this cruelty, the other Greek city-states quickly gave up any rebellion ideas
Philip’s 20 year old son Educated by Aristotle
in science, geography and literature
Loved Homer’s (Greek storyteller of epics such as Iliad) description of Achilles
Military training throughout his childhood by his father
Goal- Now Greece secure - carry out his father’s plan to invade and conquer Persia
Campaign in Anatolia• 35,000 troops vs. 40,000 Persians• Launched a quick attack and destroyed the Persian
defenses of DARIUS III (King)• Darius vows to win with an army of up to 75,000
(Alexander was SERIOUSLY outnumbered)• Surprise attack- straight to Darius!
Finest troops sent and broke through a weak point in Persian lines then army charged straight at Darius
To avoid capture, Darius fled – victory game Alexander control over Anatolia
Anatolia- Darius III ran away and tried to negotiate a peace settlement
Alexander declined and vowed to conquer all of Persia against his advisors wishes
Alex marched into Egypt- welcomed him as a liberator and crowned him pharaoh Alexander founded the city of Alexandria at mouth of the
Nile River in Egypt Alex left Egypt and moved into Mesopotamia to
confront Darius- Darius had 250,000 men Alex launched massive phalanx attacked followed by
cavalry charge Persian lines crumbled and Darius again panicked and fled This ended the Empire
Alexander had Persepolis, the Persian capital, burned to the ground• Ashes of Persepolis signaled total destruction of Persian
Empire
NO WAY! He wanted to control ALL of Asia• More interested in expanding empire rather than
governing it. India- huge offensive- but won The army was tired
•11 Years of fighting•11,000 miles of marching•Climate changes- deserts, monsoons, etc.•EXHAUSTED troops BEGGED him to turn back-
reluctantly he agreed
Politics were neglected After agreeing to turn back he planned to
strengthen and unify his lands•Construct new roads, cities, harbors•Conquer Arabia
Alexander never carried out his plan b/c he died. • Seriously ill with a fever – died a few days later at
32 years old.
After Alexander died, his Macedonia generals fought among themselves for control of his empire.
Eventually divided among 3 generals:• Antigonus – King of Macedonia and took control of
the Greek city-states• Ptolemy – seized Egypt, took title of pharaoh and
established a dynasty• Seleucus – took most of the old Persian Empire and
it became known as Seleucid Kingdom They ignored the traditions of the Greek polis
and ruled as dictators.
Cultural impact• Alexander adopted many Persian customs –
his wife was Persian• Included Persians and others in his army• A new culture emerged – blending of Greek
and Eastern emerged – HELLENISTIC CULTURE
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