Ancient Greece World History I

Historical Background The island of Crete was home to an early civilization now called the Minoans. These people were traders, who set up posts throughout the Aegean world. The Minoan civilization vanished by 1400 B.C. A sudden volcanic eruption An earthquake and huge wave Invaders called the Mycenaeans, who were the first Greek-speaking people MED. SEA BLACK SEA Aegean Sea Asia Minor Greece

The Mycenaean civilization dominated the Aegean region from 1400 B.C. to 1200 B.C. Sea traders who lived in separate city-states. The Mycenaeans fought in the Trojan War against Troy, a trading city that controlled vital straits connecting the Mediterranean & Black seas. The Region enters a “DARK AGE”

The Iliad tells about the Trojan War and the adventures of Achilles, the mightiest Greek warrior. The Odyssey tells about the struggle of the Greek hero Odysseus as he tries to return home after the war. Two epic poems of this era, attributed to Homer, enhance our understanding of this era.

Geography The physical geography of the Aegean basin shaped the economic, social, and political development of Greek civilization. The expansion of Greek civilization, through trade and colonization, led to the spread of Hellenic culture across the Mediterranean and Black seas.

Questions How did the mountains, seas, islands, harbors, peninsulas, and straits of the Aegean Basin shape Greek economic, social and political development of patterns of trade and colonization?

WHI.5a Location and place Aegean Sea Greek peninsula, Europe, and Asia Minor Mediterranean Sea Black Sea, Strait of Dardanelles Athens, Sparta, Troy Macedonia

A G F E D B C H Word Bank (some words will NOT be used) Mediterranean Caspian Yellow Red Aegean Yellow Red Aegean Black Italy Greece Black Italy Greece Russia Asia Minor Russia Asia Minor Macedonia Egypt Macedonia Egypt

WHI.5a Economic and social development Agriculture (limited arable land) Commerce and the spread of Hellenic culture Shift from barter to money economy (coins)

Coins

WHI.5a Political development Mountainous terrain helped and hindered the development of city-states Greek cities were designed to promote civic and commercial life Colonization related to overpopulation and the search for arable land

What sea was most important to the Ancient Greeks? What were the political units of Ancient Greece called? Name 2 of them. How did the physical landscape of Greece affect its economic development? Why did the Greeks establish colonies?

Greek Mythology Greek mythology was based on a polytheistic religion that was integral to the culture, politics, and art in ancient Greece. Many of Western civilization’s symbols, metaphors, words, and idealized images come from ancient Greek mythology.

Questions How did mythology help the early Greek civilization explain the natural world and the human condition? What impact did Greek mythology have on later civilizations and the contemporary world?

Mythology Based on polytheistic religion Explanations of natural phenomena, human qualities, and life events Greek gods and goddesses Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Aphrodite Symbols and images in Western literature, art, monumental architecture, and politics

This is a “PG” rated class

1.Greek god of light and healing 2.Greek goddess of love and beauty 3.Supreme god of all Greek gods 4.Greek goddess of chastity; Apollo’s twin 5.Greek goddess of wisdom 6.Jealous wife of Zeus; protectress of childbirth and marriage A.Zeus B.Athena C.Aphrodite D.Hera E.Artemis F.Apollo

RAP: Please respond to the following prompt using no less than 3 sentences: Democracy means rule by the people… What are some problems/limitations of this style of govt?

Classical Athens Classical Athens developed the most democratic system of government the world had ever seen, although not everyone could participate in decision- making. It became the foundation of modern democracies. Contrasting philosophies divided the Greek city- states of Athens (democracy) and Sparta (oligarchy).

Questions How did democracy develop in Athens? How did Sparta differ from Athens?

WHI.5c Evolution of the Greek Polis Polis (city-state) included a city and the surrounding countryside City usually had two parts –The Acropolis or highest part of the city with temples –Walled main city with markets, theaters, public buildings, and homes Small populations led to a shared sense of responsibility

WHI.5c Social structure & citizenship in the Greek Polis Citizens (free adult males) had political rights & the responsibility of civic participation in government Women, foreigners, and slaves had no political rights

ATHENS

WHI.5c Athens (typical of many city-states between 750 & 500 BC) Stages in evolution of Athenian government: –Monarchy (rule by a king) –Aristocracy (rule by nobles who owned/defended land) –Tyranny (a tyrant gains power and works for reform) –Democracy (rule by the people…this was limited) Phalanx: massive tactical formation of well armed and well trained foot soldiers; created unity

Athens Tyrants who worked for reform: –Draco: (621 BC) wrote the first legal code; much unfair –Solon: (594 BC) wise and trusted leader; outlawed debt slavery; gave citizens more say in govt; encouraged trade Origin of democratic principles: –Direct democracy: citizens vote directly on issues –Public debate: discussions regarding important matters –Duties of the citizen: participate in government & military

Stages of Political Development in Athens Aristocracy ? Democracy Tyranny

Sparta OligarchyOligarchy (rule by small group) –Assembly (voted on laws) –Council of Elders (proposed laws) –Five Ephors (carried out laws) –2 Kings ruled over the military Rigid social structure –Spartan landowners –Middle class of artisans and merchants helots –State slaves called helots Militaristic and aggressive societyMilitaristic and aggressive society

Persian & Peloponnesian Wars The Greeks defeated the Persian empire & preserved their political independence. Why were wars with Persia important to the development of Greek culture? Competition b/t Sparta and Athens for control of Greece helped cause the Peloponnesian War. Why was the Peloponnesian War important to the spread of Greek culture?

Persian War Begins when Ionians revolt against the Persians in 520 B.C. (Athens comes to their aid but Persians regain control) 490 B.C. Darius sends 25,000 Persians to Marathon to fight 10,000 Athenians (casualties: 6,400 Persians ; 192 Athenians) Pheidippides—the “Marathon” runner 480 B.C. Xerxes marches army to Thermopylae (“300”)

Persian War Athens evacuates the city and fights at sea (Battle of Salamis; 1/3 of Xerxes’ fleet is destroyed) Final battle is at Plataea in 479; Persians are defeated

WHI.5d,e Importance of Persian Wars ( B.C.) –Persian wars united Athens and Sparta against the Persian Empire –Athenian victories over the Persians at Marathon and Salamis left Greeks in control of the Aegean Sea –Athens preserved its independence and continued innovations in government and culture

Alliances Form

WHI.5d,e Importance of Peloponnesian War ( B.C.) Caused in part by competition for control of the Greek world—Athens and the Delian League versus Sparta and the Peloponnesian League Resulted in the slowing of cultural advance and the weakening of political power

WHI.5d,e Athenian culture, during the Classic Era, became one of the foundation stones of Western civilization. Why was the leadership of Pericles important to the development of Athenian life and Greek culture?

WHI.5d,e Golden Age of Pericles (mostly occurring between the Persian & Peloponnesian wars) ***461—429 B.C.*** Pericles extended democracy; most adult males had equal voice (“demos”) Pericles had Athens rebuilt after destruction in Persian Wars; the Parthenon is an example of this reconstruction

Parthenon

Contributions to Western Civilization Drama: Aeschylus, Sophocles (wrote tragedies) Poetry: Homer (Iliad & Odyssey) History: Herodotus, Thucydides

Contributions to Western Civilization Sculpture: Phidias—carved statue of Athena for the Parthenon Architecture: Types of Columns include Doric (Parthenon), Ionic, and Corinthian

Contributions to Western Civilization Science : –Archimedes inventor, discovered principle of buoyancy –Hippocrates Medicine, Hippocratic Oath

Contributions to Western Civilization Mathematics : –Euclid –Pythagoras Pythagorean Theorem (a² + b² = c²)

Contributions to Western Civilization Philosophy: Socrates—discussed nature of goodness/justice; Socratic method of questioning; drank hemlock poison Plato—started Academy; taught science, law, math, & philosophy Aristotle—student of Plato; taught at the Academy; later taught Alexander the Great