The Greeks Rise of Greek City-States

Geography of Greece Greece is part of the Balkan peninsula Greece is part of the Balkan peninsula Mountains divide the peninsula and isolate it. Mountains divide the peninsula and isolate it. They didn’t create a large empire but small isolated city-states. They didn’t create a large empire but small isolated city-states. This caused many wars. This caused many wars.

The Seas The sea was the link to the outside world The sea was the link to the outside world –Had 100’s of bays that provided safe harbors for ships. –Became skilled sailors Adapted ideas too Adapted ideas too –Changed the Phoenician alphabet –This became the basis for our alphabet Population growth caused them to expand outward Population growth caused them to expand outward

City-States Greeks had a city-state called a Polis Greeks had a city-state called a Polis It was built on two levels It was built on two levels –The acropolis (high city) was built on a hilltop and had great marble temples dedicated to the different gods and goddesses. –On flatter ground below lay the walled main city Marketplace, theater, public buildings, and homes Marketplace, theater, public buildings, and homes

Early Government Early government-ruler of the polis was like a king. Early government-ruler of the polis was like a king. –Monarchy is a government in which a king or queen exercises central power Power shifted to a class of noble landowners Power shifted to a class of noble landowners –They got power for themselves and ruled according to aristocracy-rule by landholding elite Trade expanded and a new middle class emerged Trade expanded and a new middle class emerged –This caused and oligarchy-power in the hands of small, powerful elite

Two different city-states Sparta Sparta Athens Athens

Unity in Greece Despite the rivalries between city-states there were forces for unity. Despite the rivalries between city-states there were forces for unity. –Religion

Religion in Greece The Greeks were polytheistic The Greeks were polytheistic They believed that their gods lived on Mt. Olympus in Northern Greece. They believed that their gods lived on Mt. Olympus in Northern Greece. Zeus was King of the gods and presided over the affairs of humans and gods. Zeus was King of the gods and presided over the affairs of humans and gods. –His wife was Hera and his children included: Aphrodite-goddess of love, Ares-god of war, and Athena- goddess of wisdom Aphrodite-goddess of love, Ares-god of war, and Athena- goddess of wisdom