Mediterranean Society: The Greek Phase

Key Themes Trade and the interaction of cultures Political culture and organizations Cultural and intellectual developments

Early Development in Greek Society Based on small, autonomous city-states which developed in isolation Over time, however, city-states began to venture out into the Aegean and eventually Mediterranean seas which they used as a highway to link with the rest of the world. Led to the spread of Greek goods, ideas, and values.

Minoan and Mycenaean Societies Minoan Society Developed in Crete c. 2000 BCE, fell 1100 BCE Developed written language (still undecipherable) Traded olive oil, wine Established Colonies Mined Copper Created beautiful frescoes, and built luxurious palaces and homes

Minoan and Mycenaean Societies Known as the thugs of the Mediterranean Traded with the Minoans, but eventually overpowered them Adapted Minoan Language to fit their language and that that writing is also undecipherable. Fought a war with the city of Troy (Iliad and Odyssey) 1100 BCE fell apart due to constant foreign invasion

The World of Polis Polis – City-State Each Polis was its own economic, cultural, and political center, so a wide range of political institutions developed in Greece

The World of Polis Sparta and Athens – Two most famous Greek Poleis (plural for Polis) Sparta Relied on military power to control the region and maintain public order Relied on the original Peloponnesian people as slaves to cultivate the agricultural region. Valued equality and social status was based on strength, discipline, and military talent Women, like men, were expected to be strong as their role was to produce solid Spartan Soldiers

The World of Polis Athens Located in the region of Attica Political structure based on democratic principles and citizen participation in decision making. Citizens – Defined as free adult males.

Greece and the Larger World The Polis prospered and expanded by establishing trading centers and colonies along the shores of the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Expansion brought them into conflict with the Persians and contact with and eventual domination by Alexander the Great of Macedon Expansion and Conquest resulted in immense commercial and cultural exchange from India to Egypt.

Greek Colonization Growing population in the Polis spurred the growth of colonies all on the shores of the Mediterranean and Black seas Had their own political, social and economic structures Diverse trading centers for fish, fur, metals, honey, fold, amber, and slaves. Each colony was instrumental in spreading Greek language and culture.

Conflict with Persia War with Persia because of rebellion again Darius and Xerxes Lasted for more than a century and Greeks eventually won Delian League – Alliance between the Greek city-states formed during the Persian War. Fell apart following the Persian War Led to Peloponnesian War – A civil war between Greek city States

The Macedonians and the Coming of Empire Located in Macedonia to the North of Greece, Philip II used the disagreements between Greek city states to over power Greece using win at all cost tactics. By 338 BCE Philip controlled all of Greece and turned his attention to Persia His son, Alexander took over after his mysterious assassination in 336 BCE

Alexander the Great Ruthless and intelligent, he remains one of the great and complex personalities of history. Won control of Ionia, Anatolia, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, Persia, and eventually most of India. Died in Mesopotamia at the age of only 33 in 323 BCE. Conquests spread Greek and Macedonian traditions even further.

The Hellenistic Era Time between Alexander’s death and the expansion of the Roman Empire Alexander’s Empire divided into 3 large states: Antigonid Empire – Included Greece and Macedonia Ptolemic Empire – Included Egypt and parts of northern Africa Seleucid Empire – Anatolia to Bactria All three spread Greek cultural and religious ideals all across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The Fruits of Trade: Greek Economy and Society The challenges of Greek geography forced the early Greeks to depend on maritime trade.

Trade and Integration of the Mediterranean Basin Geography of Greece made it well suited for grapes and olives. Used their access to the Mediterranean to trade with grapes and olives with other regions of Asia, Africa, and Europe in exchange for food and other luxury items.

Family and Society Strong Patriarchal Society Women only ventured outside home with chaperone or watchful servants. Occasionally some women may work in or run a merchant shop Priestess in a religious cult was the only public position open to women. Women in Sparta enjoyed the most freedom

The Cultural Life of Classical Greece Guided by principles of human reason. Evident in the art, literature, and philosophy from this time period. Even the written language they developed by adding vowels to the established Phoenician alphabet produced a flexible, easy-to-learn system for recording human speech.

Rational Thought and Philosophy Three most significant scholars: Socrates – Focused on questioning to uncover truths about human ethics and morality. Plato – Known for theory on forms and ideas. Aristotle – Rely on senses and reason to sort out the mysteries of the world. Wrote extensively about the natural world as well as politics, ethics, and psychology Influential in later Christian and Islamic thinking.

Popular Religion and Greek Drama Philosophy not a part of popular culture Most Greeks turned to the traditions of popular religion for guidance on proper behavior and understanding of human nature. Polytheistic Religions used to explain natural phenomena and human problems Lead to the Greek Dramas.

Hellenistic Philosophy and Religion Hellenistic philosophers dealt with questions of the individual need for peace and tranquility. Stoicism was the most significant of these Hellenistic philosophies; it taught the duty of people to aid others and lead virtuous lives.