Europe and Russia From Ancient Greece to Feudal Europe Main Idea: Many achievements of the empires of the ancient world have had a lasting impact throughout history, and continue to this day!

Copy the Outline in your journal... I. Ancient Greeks and Romans A. Greeks 1. 2. 3. B. Romans 4. II. Middle Ages A. Feudalism

The Greeks: The ancient Greeks were Europe's first great philosophers, historians, scientists, poets, and writers. They borrowed ideas from older civilizations and used them to develop new ways of thinking. Their observations led to scientific ways of gathering knowledge. Their method of rule led to democracy. In ancient times, Greece was divided into over 100 city-states. Each city-state acted as an independent nation. The most famous was Athens. In Athens, free men were allowed to vote on their leaders, laws, and policies. Policies are methods and plans a government uses to do work. Women, slaves, and non-Greeks could not vote. Even so, the idea that people should have a voice in how they are ruled had a strong impact on history.

Greek Culture: Greek language, ideas, and culture were spread throughout the Mediterranean by Alexander the Great, a king of Macedonia. Alexander conquered an empire that spread eastward to the Indus River. An empire is a collection of lands ruled by a single government When the Romans took over Alexander's lands they borrowed many Greek ideas. Italy---->>

I. Ancient Greeks and Romans A. Greeks 1. Europeans first great historians, poets, scientists, and writers 2. Established a democracy 3. Empire ruled by Alexander the Great B. Romans 1. 2. 3. 4. II. Middle Ages A. Feudalism

The Roman Empire: After Alexander the Great died, Augustus, took power and became the first emperor of Rome. He took power in 27 B.C. His rule began 200 years of Roman peace, Pax Romana. During this time, Rome was the most powerful state in Europe. Magnificent cities were built, new technologies were developed, and the economy prospered. Judges in the Roman Empire followed written laws to make decisions. These written laws protected all citizens in the empire, not only the rich and powerful. Modern ideas about law and citizenship used by democratic governments are based on Roman law. The Pax Romana was followed by hundreds of years of war. More and more soldiers were needed to defend the empire's boundaries. The taxes raised to maintain the army hurt the economy. The emperor could no longer govern such a huge area, and the empire was divided into two parts. The western half of the empire began to crumble.

The Roman Empire

The Fall of Rome: The Christian religion was based on the teaching of Jesus, who lived in the eastern Mediterranean region of Palestine. When the Roman emperor Constantine became a follower of Christianity, the religion quickly spread throughout the empire. Later the empire collapsed. Government, law and order, and trade broke down, but Christianity survived. Without the empire, people were living in difficulty, dangerous times. Christianity gave them hope! Soon the Roman empire was conquered by barbaric people (Germanics) and the 'Dark Ages' or Middle Ages, a time between ancient and modern times took place.

I. Ancient Greeks and Romans A. Greeks 1. Europeans first great historians, poets, scientists, and writers 2. Established a democracy 3. Empire ruled by Alexander the Great B. Romans 1. Ruled by Augustus; Pax Romana (200 years of peace in Rome) 2. Taxes were collected to defend the empire; hurt the economy 3. Empire became so big, it split; Western Rome crumbled 4. Many became followers of Jesus; Christianity gave them hope II. Middle Ages A. Feudalism 1. 2. 3. 4.

Europe in the Middle Ages Along with Christianity, feudalism was an important part of society in the Middle Ages. Feudalism was a way to organize society when there was no central government. Peasants made up the largest group. They worked as serfs, farming land on manors owned by lords. The lords collected taxes for the king. The serfs were not slaves, but they had to follow the lord's rules. In return, they were given work and protection. Eventually, as trade increased throughout Europe, more and more peasants paid for their freedoms and moved to town to where they could practice their trade.

and Lordsmen Merchants, and craftsmen and Serfs Feudal Pyramid

I. Ancient Greeks and Romans A. Greeks 1. Europeans first great historians, poets, scientists, and writers 2. Established a democracy 3. Empire ruled by Alexander the Great B. Romans 1. Ruled by Augustus; Pax Romana (200 years of peace in Rome) 2. Taxes were collected to defend the empire; hurt the economy 3. Empire became so big, it split; Western Rome crumbled 4. Many became followers of Jesus; Christianity gave them hope II. Middle Ages A. Feudalism 1. Determined a social structure (King, noblemen/lords, knights/vassals, serfs/ peasants) 2. Serfs paid taxes for protection and use of the land 3. A serf could buy freedom from the lord and move to town 4. Way of life shifted from feudalism to more people settling into towns.