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• The geography of Greece shaped its civilization:
– Numerous islands
– Mainland peninsula
– Multiple Seas
• Early people adapted to region for survival.
• Mountainous land and islands offered few areas for farming.
• Travel was difficult so small, isolated, farming villages developed.
• Greeks turned to the seas for travel and food:
– Ionian
– Aegean
– Mediterranean
• Began to trade with other civilizations.
• Most Greeks lived in city-states, or polis.
• Greece was not unified and each city-state had its own:
– Government
– Laws
– Culture
• The two most powerful city-states were Sparta and Athens.
• Sparta devoted their lives to the military, violence, and war.
• Athens was devoted to learning, art, and government.
• Greeks did everything; festivals, build temples, sports, arts, and wars, to please Gods.
• Stories of gods, mythology, influence our language, literature, and world today.
• Greek mythology focused on twelve Olympian Gods.
• Stories were used to explain:
– Human emotions
– The Environment
– Historical happenings
– Or entertainment
• Greek history begins with the Minoans on the island of Crete.
• Crete was covered with trees and began building ships.
• Discovered how to grow grapes and olives.
• Became rich trading wine and olive oil.
• Dominated Aegean Sea but disappeared for unknown reason.
• Control of Aegean passed to the Mycenaeans.
• Mycenaeans copied Minoan culture and learned how to make:
– Boats
– Bronze
– Wine
– Olive oil
• Were violent, greedy, and attacked many areas.
• Mycenaeans attacked the city of Troy because of trade taxes.
• During war no trade and little farming, Greece entered into a “Dark Age.”
• Greece became more independent, until the Persians arrived.
• Persia already conquered India, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Egypt.
• Looked at Greece for next area to conquer.
• Persian Kings attacked Greece in a series of wars.
• Greece won because of better weapons, armor, and the city-states united to fight.
• Many city-states formed an alliance, (Delian League), to work together if there was another war.
• Sparta refused to join, so Athens took control, creating an empire.
• Sparta began its own alliance and decided to attack Athens, beginning the Peloponnesian War.
• Finally after 30 years, and with Persia’s help, Sparta conquered Athens.
• Greece was completely devastated and was conquered by Macedonia.
• Macedonians began the Hellenistic (Greek) Age and helped Greece rebuild.
• Macedonian King wanted to spread Greek culture into Persia, but was murdered.
• Power passed to his son, Alexander.
• Conquered Persian empire, never losing a battle.
– Asia Minor
– Egypt
– Mesopotamia
– Central Asia & India
• Greek culture, art, literature, science, education, and customs spread throughout empire.
• However, at the age of 33, Alexander dies.
• Alexander left no heir for his empire and fighting began for control.
• Empire was separated to maintain peace:
– Macedonia & Greece
– Egypt
– Mesopotamia
• Areas continued to prosper, until all was conquered by the Romans.