Classical Greece Section 2 Preview Main Idea / Reading Focus Athenian Democracy The Persian Wars Map: Persian Wars The Golden Age of Athens Faces of History: Pericles The Peloponnesian War Map: Greece Before the Peloponnesian War Quick Facts: Causes and Effects of the Peloponnesian War The Classical Age

Classical Greece Section 2 Reading Focus What were the characteristics of Athenian democracy? How did the Greeks manage to win the Persian Wars? What advances were made in the golden age of Athens? What led to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War? Main Idea The Classical Age of ancient Greece was marked by great achievements, including the development of democracy, and by ferocious wars. The Classical Age

Classical Greece Section 2 The prosperity of Athens was due in large part to its stable and effective government. That government was the world’s first democracy, a form of government run by the people. Athens, birthplace of democracy Not always democratic city First ruled by kings Later ruled by aristocrats who had money and power Beginnings Most Athenians poor, had little power over lives Gap between rich, poor led to conflict Official named Draco reformed laws Reform Draco thought way to end unrest was through harsh punishment Belief reflected in Draco’s laws Harshness of laws worsened dispute between classes Draconian Laws Athenian Democracy

Classical Greece Section 2 Solon’s laws relieved tension for a time, did not resolve it Tensions flared again after a few decades 541 BC, politician Peisistratus took advantage of conflict, seized power Peisistratus a tyrant Claimed to rule for good of people Violent but popular People liked fact that he pushed aristocrats out, increased trade Peisistratus 590s BC, lawmaker Solon revised laws again, overturned Draco’s harshest laws Outlawed debt slavery; tried to reduce poverty by encouraging trade Allowed all Athenian men to take part in assembly that governed city, serve on juries Only wealthy men could run for, hold political office Revision of Draconian Laws Solon and Peisistratus

Classical Greece Section 2 Cleisthenes Cleisthenes took over Athens after Peisistratus Reforms set stage for Athenian democracy Cleisthenes broke up power of noble families –Divided Athens into 10 tribes based on where people lived –Made tribes, not families, social groups, basis for elections –Each tribe elected 50 men to serve on Council of 500, proposed laws –Each tribe elected one general to lead Athenian army

Classical Greece Section 2 Athenian Government Those allowed to take part in government expected to: –Vote in all elections –Serve in office if elected –Serve on juries –Serve in military during war The Nature of Athenian Democracy As democracy, Athens ruled by the people, but not all people able to take part in government; only about 10 percent of total population Only free male Athenians over age 20 who had completed military training allowed to vote Women, immigrants, children, slaves had no role in government

Classical Greece Section 2 Council of 500 Created by Cleisthenes Wrote laws to be voted on by full assembly Assembly Included everyone eligible to serve in government All present voted on laws, all important decisions Called direct democracy Courts Complex series of courts Members could number up to 6,000 Chosen from the assembly Heard trials, sentenced criminals Height of Democracy Three Main Bodies Athenian democracy consisted of three main bodies— Assembly Council of 500 Courts

Classical Greece Section 2 The archon acted as head of both assembly, Council of 500 Archons elected for term of one year, but could be re-elected many times Public servant, could be removed from office, punished if failed to serve people well Archon Most governing done by assembly Some elected officials had special roles Among elected officials, generals who led city in war Another elected official, the archon Elected Officials Special Roles

Classical Greece Section 2 Analyze What were the key features of Athenian democracy? Answer(s): direct democracy; only certain men could vote; consisted of assembly, Council of 500, and court system

Classical Greece Section 2 In the early 400s BC, the Greek city-states came into conflict with the vast Persian Empire, a larger, stronger opponent. Roots of Persian Wars lay in region of Ionia, in what is now Turkey Ionian city-states founded as Greek colonies, fell under Persian rule, 500s BC –Ionian Greeks unhappy with Persian rule –Wanted independence –Rebelled, 499 BC Causes of the Conflict Ionian Greeks asked fellow Greeks for help Athens sent aid, ships Persians put down revolt –Revolt made Persian emperor Darius angry enough to seek revenge –Planned to punish Ionians’ allies, especially Athens, by attacking Greek mainland Revenge The Persian Wars

Classical Greece Section 2 The First Persian Invasion 490 BC, Persians set out to fulfill Darius’s plans for revenge Fleet carrying tens of thousands of Persian troops set out for Greece Came ashore near town of Marathon, not far from Athens Marathon Legend says Athenian messenger ran from Marathon to Athens after battle to announce Greek victory; died from exhaustion after delivering message Legend inspired modern marathon, 26-mile race commemorating dedication, athleticism Persian Retreat Warned in advance, Greeks arrived at Marathon, caught Persians unloading ships, charged in phalanx, tight rectangle formation Persians counterattacked, more Greeks closed in, Persians retreated First Invasion

Classical Greece Section 2 Greek victory at Marathon shocked both Greeks, Persians Athenians could not believe they had defeated stronger foe Persians humiliated, furious Darius planned second invasion, but died before invasion launched Son Xerxes vowed revenge, continued to plan attack on Greece 480 BC, 10 years after first invasion, Xerxes set out for Greece Hundreds of thousands of soldiers, sailors, animals, weapons, supplies Greek accounts say Persian army so huge took week to cross bridge built into Greece Xerxes Faced with invasion, Athenians called on other Greek city-states to help fight off Persians Athens, bitter rival, agreed to help Had recently built large navy, took charge of Greek fighting ships Sparta took charge of Greek armies Athenians Preparations for a Second Invasion

Classical Greece Section 2 Persian army was no longer a match for the Greeks; and within a year the Greeks had won the Persian Wars. The Greeks worried that they would not have time to prepare their troops for battle. To slow down the Persians, a group of Spartans and their allies gathered in a mountain pass at Thermopylae, through which the Persians would pass to get into Greece. Spartans held off entire Persian army for several days Persians shown alternate path through mountains; were able to surround, kill Spartans Spartans’ sacrifice bought time for Greeks’ defense The Second Persian Invasion Second Invasion and Aftermath Persians marched south to Athens, attacked, burned city; needed fleet to bring additional supplies Athenian commander lured fleet into narrow strait Greek warships cut them to pieces After Thermopylae

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Classical Greece Section 2 Sequence What events led to the Greek victory in the Persian Wars? Answer(s): Athens and Sparta allied to fight the Persians; Spartans held off the Persians at Thermopylae, allowing Athens to prepare; Persian supplies were cut off when the Greek fleet destroyed their ships; Spartans led the Greek army to defeat the Persians at Plataea

Classical Greece Section 2 As leaders in the Persian Wars, Athens and Sparta became the two most powerful, influential city-states in Greece. After the wars, Athens entered a golden age as the center of Greek culture and politics. After Persian Wars city-states banded together to defend each other, punish Persia Largest, richest of alliance members was Athens Alliance Alliance’s treasury kept on islands of Delos Alliance known as Delian League Athens controlled ships, money League grew in membership, power Delian League Some members resented Athenian dominance Members who tried to quit attacked by league fleet, forced back into alliance League became Athenian empire Increased Influence The Golden Age of Athens

Classical Greece Section 2 A City in Ruins People wanted to rebuild Athens after Persian Wars Some money for rebuilding came from within Athens Substantial amount came from treasury of Delian League Height of Culture Grandest temple, Parthenon, dedicated to goddess Athena Athenians expanded port, built new roads, constructed high walls around city Rebuilt Athens considered height of Greek culture, sophistication Collective Funds to Rebuild Other members of League not happy Athenians used collective funds to rebuild city, but none powerful enough to stop Athens Rebuilding began at top, with acropolis, series of grand temples Rebuilding Athens

Classical Greece Section 2 Much of the rebuilding of Athens was due to one man—Pericles, a skilled politician and gifted public speaker. 460s, elected one of Athens’ generals, became Athens’ most influential politician Great champion of democracy –Introduced payment for those who served in public offices, on juries –Encouraged Athenians to introduce democracy elsewhere Pericles Commissioned building Parthenon, other monuments –Hired artists, sculptors to decorate them Wanted Athens to be most glorious city in Greece –Believed it had best government, noblest people, monuments to prove superiority Patron of the Arts The Age of Pericles

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Classical Greece Section 2 Life in the Golden Age Trade brought great wealth to Athens. Merchants from other parts of world moved to city, bringing own foods, customs Athens very cosmopolitan as result –Grand festivals, public celebrations, events –Athletic games and city theaters –Athens was the heart of Greek culture

Classical Greece Section 2 Draw Conclusions What made the 400s a golden age in Athens? Answer(s): trade brought great wealth; cosmopolitan city; city rebuilt; center of Greek culture and politics

Classical Greece Section 2 As the leader of the Delian League, Athens was the richest, mightiest polis in Greece. Being rich and mighty brought many powerful rivals, the greatest of which was Sparta, which wanted to end its dominance. Tensions built between Delian, Peloponnesian Leagues Mutual fear led to war between Athens, Sparta Tension Built Athens feared military might of another league Sparta feared loss of trading 431 BC, the two declared war Lasted many years War The Peloponnesian War Peloponnesian League Sparta head of Peloponnesian League, allied city- states Formed 500s BC, to provide protection, security for members

Classical Greece Section 2 War in Greece Initially neither side gained much advantage Sparta, allies dominated land; Athens, allies dominated sea Athenians avoided land battles; neither side won more than minor victories Sparta’s Victory 415 BC, war broke out again; Sparta took to sea as well as land, destroyed Athenian fleet; Athens surrendered 404 BC Peloponnesian War almost destroyed Athens; Sparta also exhausted by war Plague and Peace 430, 429 BC, plague struck Athens, changed course of war Pericles, Athens’ leader through beginning of war, among dead After plague, fighting heated up until truce in 421 BC The Course of War

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Classical Greece Section 2 Cycle of Warfare After victory, Sparta’s army tried to act as Greece’s dominant power Sparta’s wealth, resources badly strained, power worn down Spartans could not keep control of Greece City-state of Thebes defeated Sparta, could not maintain control either Struggle for power led to long cycle of warfare that left all Greece vulnerable to attack 340s BC, Macedonia, Greek-speaking kingdom to north, swept in, took control of all Greece

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Classical Greece Section 2 Identify Cause and Effect What caused the Peloponnesian War? Answer(s): mutual fear; Sparta feared Athens would stop it from trading, Athens feared the military might of the Peloponnesian League