Abby Snyder, Brandon Lugenbeel, Steven Lanuti, Collin Kelly

-Phonetic alphabet - geographically isolated - Polis- city state and surrounding rural area -Agora- public meeting place -Acropolis- hilltop fortification used as shelter - Polis’s didn’t get along -Herodotus is the “father of history” Athens and Sparta - The two most prominent city-states -Athens centered around education - Sparta centered around violence; oligarchy Acropolis

-after destruction of Mycenean palace-states, Greece lapsed into the “Dark Age,” a period of isolation ( BCE) -Greek polis fostered suspicion and individual political units, even though a common language and culture was shared-> frequent conflict -hoplites- heavily armored infantrymen who fought in close formation -campaigns took place when farmers were available -tyrants in the polis’ lead to democracy, system where all free males can vote

Between Persia and Greece Greeks governed by Persians revolted (Ionian Revolt) Failed revolt->Persian Wars; two Persian attacks on Greece Xerxes to finish what Darius started Hellenic League initially failed to resist Persians (300) Persians eventually defeated (Salamis) Athens emerges as leading power due to its powerful navy Delian League formed (477 BCE) to rid of Persians atch?v=R-6M5FukAoE

Athens v Sparta; internal war; Athenian power-> hostility Athens used naval power to insulate, thus dragging out the war for three decades Great loss of life and squandering of resources Ended in naval defeat of Athens (Sparta constructed ships) Internal conflicts, even after the Peloponnesian War, allowed Persians to recoup old losses

Philip II ( BCE) transforming Macedonia into premier military power; improved hoplite formation with horses Planned an all-Greek campaign against Persians, but was assassinated Alexander the Great exacted revenge for Xerxes’ invasion a century earlier – Maintained Persian administrative framework but replaced officials with Greeks – To control strategic points, he established Greek-style cities (ie Alexandria) – Eventually allowed Persians into power and married prominent Iranian women

In Greek religion, the some gods represented aspects of nature such as fire while some represented more abstract concepts such as love and medicine. There were 14 major gods in Ancient Greek religion but the most important would be the 3 sons of the titan Cronus. Zeus- God of the sky and thunder. King of the Gods. Symbol was a thunderbolt Poseidon- God of the sea and earthquakes. Known as the earth Shaker. Symbol was a trident Hades- God of the underworld and the dead. Symbol was his helm of darkness The Greek gods were anthropomorphic and though immortal, they were not all powerful as they had to obey fate Sacrifice was a central ritual in Greek religion

Moved across Mediterranean and Western Asia forcing culture on others. Isolated from B.C.E (Dark Age) Phoenicians made contact with Greeks, ended Dark Age Gained new ideas from the East such as animal figures and mythical beasts Based their writing off of Phoencians Colonized in the 8 th through the 6 th centuries spread Greek culture. Alexander the Great conquered the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and everything to the West side of India.

Alexander blended the Persian culture with the Greeks When Alexander died kingdom was in uproar and split into three main parts: the Ptolemaic, the Antigonid, and the Seleucid Kingdoms. Hellenistic Age- Northern Africa and Western Asia were strongly influenced by the Greeks

-The Greeks used coins- pieces of metal whose weight and purity were guaranteed by state - This stimulated trade and local wealth - Greeks had the first true alphabet (adopted from Phoenicians)alphabet -widespread literacy; it can be mastered quickly -economic purposes OR preserve oral epics trireme- sleek, fast vessel with 170 rowers

-Geographically isolated by mountains to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south - Developed along the Mediterranean and Aegean seas; dependent on the ocean for food - No large rivers; dependent on rainfall for agriculture - Planted grain - Agriculture couldn’t support large populations - Sheep and goats grazed in the hills - Horses and cattle raised in the plains -Relied on sea transport

B.C.

-Culture influenced by Mesopotamia - Large empire under King Darius I -Empire divided into 20 provinces - Provinces controlled by satraps, or governors - Aristocracy was loyal to the king - Persepolis- main city, housed library, treasury, etc - Women < Men - Laws of The King- unwritten law code - Laws upheld by royal court -Darius I seceded by Xerxes

-Medes- first to achieve complex political organization -Persian rulers called Achamenids because of their common ancestor, Achamenes -Cyrus united Persia and overthrew Median monarch in 550 BCE; showed respect for native traditions in conquered areas -Cambyses (son of Cyrus) took over Egypt -Darius extended Persian control to Indus Valley and Europe; largest empire yet seen -20 provinces allowed for autonomy within the vast empire Darius the Great Cyrus the Great Cambyses

The religion practiced by the Persians is known as Zoroastrianism. Was founded by Zarathushtra sometime before 6 th century BCE in Persia May have been the worlds first monotheistic faith. Preached belief in one supreme deity known as Ahuramazada. Holds humans to a high ethical standard and promises salvation. Magi- Ritual specialists who supervised the proper performance of sacrifices. The sacred text of Zoroastrianism is The Gathas.

Open to attacks by nomads in Central Asia Persia connected with Medes, a nation under the influence of ancient Mesopotamia and Urata (Modern Iraq), through marriage between Cyrus and a Median princess. Cyrus took over Medes and Anatolia. In 539 Cyrus took over Mesopotamia peacefully Cyrus’ son Cambyses took over after his father died, and latter conquered Egypt.

Darius I became ruler Medes played a lesser role Darius I extended Persian control Eastward past the Indus River and also into Egypt Many different cultures under 1 rule led to significant cultural change.

-well-maintained royal roads connecting provinces with the central administrative center at Susa

-Zagros Mountains to the west - Caucaus Mountains to the northwest - Caspian Sea to the north - Afgan Mountains to east - Not as isolated as Greece - Open to invasion from Eurasian nomads