Ch 4, Sec 4: The Age of Pericles

Objectives Understand how Athens became very powerful and more democratic during the reign of Pericles. Explain the roles of Athenian men and women. Explain why Sparta and Athens went to war for control of Greece.

Delian League A group of city-states formed an alliance Joined together to defend Greece from further Persian attacks Sparta did not join Athens controlled the group – Ended up becoming an Athenian Empire in Greece – Sent army to city- states to overthrow nobles

Direct Democracy vs. Representative Democracy Direct Democracy: – Every citizen gets to vote on government issues – Greek system – Good for small governments Representative Democracy: – Citizens elect officials to vote on government issues – American system – Good for large governments

Greek Assemblies in a Direct Democracy All male citizens voted (averaged 6,000 per meeting) Took place every 10 days Passed laws Elected officials Made war decisions 10 generals carried out their laws/decisions

Pericles Top general in the assembly (for 30 years) Held control of the Delian League Made lots of enemies with other city-states Allowed the poor men to run for office Started paying gov’t officials Rebuilt most of Athens after the Persian Wars Supported the arts/philosophers (free thinkers)

Who lived in Athens in 400 B.C. 285,000 residents 150,000 citizens 35,000 foreigners 100,000 slaves

Farming and Trade Raised sheep and goats Grew grains, vegies, and fruit locally Grew grapes and olives to trade Athens became the center of trade for the empire – Imported grain – Exported pottery, jewelry, and art

Daily life of men Worked in the morning Assembly meetings in the afternoon Drank, ate, and discussed politics/philosophy at night with other men

Daily life of women Girls married at years old Poor women worked in the fields with the men Upper class women stayed at home to take care of the family Could only leave the house with a male relative Could not own land or vote

Aspasia Non-native Athenian woman Had special rights Well educated Taught public speaking Helped Pericles with problems/ideas Influenced politicians and philosophers

Peloponnesian War B.C. Athens’ behavior caused tension with the rest of Greece Sparta got the city-states to join them to fight Athens and formed the Peloponnesian War

Funeral Oration of Pericles Athens had a public funeral to honor the dead of the Peloponnesian War of year 1 Pericles spoke about honor, duties of citizenship, and rights of the Greeks Inspired Athenians to continue fighting

Athens reacts to the start of war Sparta and allies surround Athens Pericles had all Athenians move inside the city walls Athens’ navy delivered supplies without being stopped Disease spread through the city killing 1/3 of the people

Sparta makes a deal!!! Sparta made an alliance with Persia Persia gave Sparta money to built a navy Sparta gave Persia land in Asia Minor Athens lost control by 405 B.C. and surrendered to Sparta

Results of the Peloponnesian War Greek unity was destroyed Farms and population were destroyed Many people had no jobs Sparta lost control within 30 years Macedonia, north of Greece, would creep in to take over most of the empire