1. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” -Socrates
Ancient Greece
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
-Socrates

2. The Polis
By 700 BC the polis (city-state) emerged as basic political unit of Greece
Citizens could vote, hold public office, own property and speak for themselves in court
In return, citizens were expected to serve in government and defend polis during wartime

3. Sparta and Athens Two major city-states were Sparta and Athens
Sparta: located in southern Greece; a very skilled, warlike society
Athens: located in central Greece; free society that was known for artistic and intellectual achievements
Athens was first to develop idea of democracy, with a written constitution

4. Persian War
Persia vs. Greece, in 490 BC Persian forces tried to invade Greece at Marathon, 25 miles north of Athens
They were surprised by the Greeks there and defeated

5. The Legend of the Marathon
The modern-day marathon began as a tribute to Greek soldier Pheidippides
He ran from Marathon to Athens after the defeat of Persia to claim “victory” for Greece, then collapsed and died
The first marathon was held to commemorate his death at the first modern Olympics in 1896 in Greece

6. Peloponnesian War Sparta vs. Athens, 431 – 404 BC
Athens surrendered in 404 BC
Long war left Greece economically weak, politically unstable, and with a decrease in population. This left Greece vulnerable to attack.

7. Pericles
After Persian War, Pericles (Athenian General) rebuilt Athens and made it the most beautiful city in Greece
Built Parthenon, temple of goddess, Athena
Encouraged idea of democracy

8. Olympic Games Began in 776 BC
A series of athletic competitions between Greek city-states
Held to honor Greek God Zeus (king of Gods) and Pelops (king of Olympia)
Held every four years

9. Socrates First Greek philosopher
Developed Socratic Method—stimulate thinking, questions and answers
Laid foundation for Western Philosophy
Socrates was put on trial and found guilty of corrupting the minds of Athenian youth
He was sentenced to death by poison

10. Plato Student of Socrates Mathematician and philosopher
Started the Academy in Athens, first institution of higher learning in western world
In 360 BC, wrote “The Republic” about philosophy and political theory

11. Aristotle Student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great
Scientist, mathematician, philosopher
Earliest formal study of logic and science
First to observe facts and generalize information from data

12. Herodotus
First Greek historian—considered “Father of History” in Western culture
Studied fact vs. legend by asking questions, checking sources and recording answers
Wrote well constructed, written narratives
Wrote The Histories about the Greco-Persian Wars

13. Pythagoras Greek mathematician—considered “the father of numbers”
Created Pythagorean Theorem: still used in Geometry today
(a^2+b^2 = c^2)

14. Hippocrates
Ancient Greek physician—considered the “father of medicine”
Developed Hippocratic Oath: code for ethical behavior in medicine