Greece Based on the creation of city-states rather than a single political unit. Based on the creation of city-states rather than a single political unit.  Each city-state had its own government typically a tyranny or aristocratic council.  The typical city government had surrounding territory of several hundred miles, contributed to this intense political concern.

Greece Those who were citizens felt that the state was theirs and they had rights and obligations without which their government could not survive. Those who were citizens felt that the state was theirs and they had rights and obligations without which their government could not survive. Hellenistic culture is the merging of Greek art with other Middle Eastern forms, particularly Persia. Hellenistic culture is the merging of Greek art with other Middle Eastern forms, particularly Persia..

Persian Tradition Greeks and Romans had contacts with and were influenced by the large Persian (Iran) Empire and it’s descendants. Greeks and Romans had contacts with and were influenced by the large Persian (Iran) Empire and it’s descendants. Zoroastrianism, came from within the Empire. Zoroastrianism, came from within the Empire. Persia was toppled by the Greek leader Alexander the Great. Persia was toppled by the Greek leader Alexander the Great.

Greece Sparta and Athens became the two leading city- states Sparta and Athens became the two leading city- states Sparta represented a strong military while Athens was proud of its artistic and intellectual leadership. Sparta represented a strong military while Athens was proud of its artistic and intellectual leadership. During the 5 th Century BCE Pericles dominated Athenian politics, creating a democratic political structure. During the 5 th Century BCE Pericles dominated Athenian politics, creating a democratic political structure. Between BCE the two cooperated to defeat a huge Persian invasion. Between BCE the two cooperated to defeat a huge Persian invasion. It was during and immediately after this period that Greek and Athenian culture reached its high point. “Golden Age of Greece” It was during and immediately after this period that Greek and Athenian culture reached its high point. “Golden Age of Greece”

Greece Political decline set in for Sparta and Athens as they vied for power during the Peloponnesian Wars ( BCE), which left both states, exhausted. Political decline set in for Sparta and Athens as they vied for power during the Peloponnesian Wars ( BCE), which left both states, exhausted. Afterwards the city-states were conquered by Alexander the Great, who extended the Macedonian Empire throughout the Middle East and Egypt. Afterwards the city-states were conquered by Alexander the Great, who extended the Macedonian Empire throughout the Middle East and Egypt. Hellenism lives on. Hellenism lives on.

Alexander the Great

Roman Republic 400 BCE to 44 BCE Final phase of classical Mediterranean Civilization. Began around 400 BCE. Final phase of classical Mediterranean Civilization. Began around 400 BCE. Rome acquired a strong military, though initially they may have been driven to protect their own territory from possible rivals. Rome acquired a strong military, though initially they may have been driven to protect their own territory from possible rivals. Roman Republic expanded during the Punic Wars. Roman Republic expanded during the Punic Wars. Government typically run through an aristocratic assembly called the Senate. Aristorcrats. Government typically run through an aristocratic assembly called the Senate. Aristorcrats. Very organized. Very organized.

Roman Republic 400 BCE to 44 BCE Two consuls shared executive power. Two consuls shared executive power. A series of emperors continued to expand the reign of the Roman Republic, bringing peace and prosperity to virtually the entire Mediterranean world. A series of emperors continued to expand the reign of the Roman Republic, bringing peace and prosperity to virtually the entire Mediterranean world. Twelve Tables—first law codes of the Roman Republic. Idea of Roman law was that rules, objectively judged, rather than personal whim should govern personal relationships Twelve Tables—first law codes of the Roman Republic. Idea of Roman law was that rules, objectively judged, rather than personal whim should govern personal relationships

Roman Empire 44 BCE to 476 CE Fall of the Roman republic grew unstable as victorious generals sought power. Fall of the Roman republic grew unstable as victorious generals sought power. 45 BCE Julius Caesar ended the traditional institutions of the Roman state. 45 BCE Julius Caesar ended the traditional institutions of the Roman state. Caesar’s grandnephew, Augustus Caesar, seized power in 27 BCE and established the Roman Empire. Caesar’s grandnephew, Augustus Caesar, seized power in 27 BCE and established the Roman Empire.

Rome Empire The empire suffered a slow but decisive fall, which consumed more than 250 years until invading peoples from the north finally overturned the government in Rome in 476 CE The empire suffered a slow but decisive fall, which consumed more than 250 years until invading peoples from the north finally overturned the government in Rome in 476 CE Julius Caesar was the leading figure in transforming the Roman Republic into an imperial form of government ruled by one dictator. Julius Caesar was the leading figure in transforming the Roman Republic into an imperial form of government ruled by one dictator.

Culture Greeks and Romans did not create a significant, world-class religion. Greco-Roman religion derived from belief in the spirits of nature elevated into a complex set of gods and goddesses who were seen as regulating human life. Greeks and Romans did not create a significant, world-class religion. Greco-Roman religion derived from belief in the spirits of nature elevated into a complex set of gods and goddesses who were seen as regulating human life. The idea of a philosophy separate from the official religion encouraged celebration of the human power to think. The idea of a philosophy separate from the official religion encouraged celebration of the human power to think.

Culture Socrates—encouraged his pupils to question received wisdom. His greatest pupil was Plato. The Socratic principle of thinking things through by means of skeptical questioning became a recurrent strand in Classical Greek thinking. Socrates—encouraged his pupils to question received wisdom. His greatest pupil was Plato. The Socratic principle of thinking things through by means of skeptical questioning became a recurrent strand in Classical Greek thinking. Science—Greek and Hellenistic work in geometry was particularly impressive, featuring, among other achievements, the basic theorems of Pythagoras. Science—Greek and Hellenistic work in geometry was particularly impressive, featuring, among other achievements, the basic theorems of Pythagoras.

Economy and Society Most were farmers. Most were farmers. Slavery also a key social institution Slavery also a key social institution Tight family structure—women subordinate to men. However, they were active in business and controlled a small amount of urban property. Tight family structure—women subordinate to men. However, they were active in business and controlled a small amount of urban property.