1. The Rise of Greek Civilization Homer, Sparta, Athens, and the Persian Wars Homer, Sparta, Athens, and the Persian Wars The Peloponnesian Wars and Greek Culture in the Classical Age The Peloponnesian Wars and Greek Culture in the Classical Age

2. Greece and Western Civilization The Hebrews contributed a significant thread to Western culture The Hebrews contributed a significant thread to Western culture –Human dignity –Religious-ethical thought Greece contributed the second major piece Greece contributed the second major piece –The development of rational thought Progressing form myth to logos Progressing form myth to logos Geometry, logic, naturalism, math, cultural development, architecture Geometry, logic, naturalism, math, cultural development, architecture

3. The Logos Greeks did not see nature acting according to the whims of gods and demons Greeks did not see nature acting according to the whims of gods and demons saw nature as following general rules saw nature as following general rules Humans were given the capacity for rational thought, a need for freedom, and a sense of worth as individuals Humans were given the capacity for rational thought, a need for freedom, and a sense of worth as individuals Reason is the path to knowledge and people are responsible for their own behavior Reason is the path to knowledge and people are responsible for their own behavior In short, the Greeks broke with the mythmakers that preceded them and created the rational outlook that is a distinctive feature of Western Civilization In short, the Greeks broke with the mythmakers that preceded them and created the rational outlook that is a distinctive feature of Western Civilization

4. Early Aegean Civilization 2 related civilizations preceded Hellenic Greece: the Minoan and the Mycenaean 2 related civilizations preceded Hellenic Greece: the Minoan and the Mycenaean Minoans, the older group, were not Greeks and didn’t speak a Greek language Minoans, the older group, were not Greeks and didn’t speak a Greek language –Lasted 2600 BC to 1250 BC –Appear to have been peaceful Few military scenes in art and no defensive walls Few military scenes in art and no defensive walls Around 2000 BC Greek speaking tribes who were more warlike moved southward into Greece Around 2000 BC Greek speaking tribes who were more warlike moved southward into Greece These Mycenaeans modeled their society in part on the earlier Minoans. These Mycenaeans modeled their society in part on the earlier Minoans. They traded throughout the Mediterranean (Italy, Macedonian, Asia Minor) They traded throughout the Mediterranean (Italy, Macedonian, Asia Minor)

5. The “Dark Ages” Mycenaean society ended abruptly around 1100 BC Mycenaean society ended abruptly around 1100 BC They left an important legacy They left an important legacy –Religious forms, pottery, metallurgy, agriculture, language, a warrior culture, myths and legends, codes of honor 1100 to 800 BC is known as the “Dark Ages” because it was a time of transition between the collapsed Mycenaean society and embryonic Hellenic civilization 1100 to 800 BC is known as the “Dark Ages” because it was a time of transition between the collapsed Mycenaean society and embryonic Hellenic civilization After 800 town life was revived and writing became part of the Greek culture After 800 town life was revived and writing became part of the Greek culture Colonies were established along the coast of Asia Minor, the Black Sea, Sicily, and Italy Colonies were established along the coast of Asia Minor, the Black Sea, Sicily, and Italy –These were governed as their own city-states while close ties with the homeland –A new middle class will emerge and conflict will arise between them and the landed aristocracy

6. Homer Epic poet and oral historian who lived during the 8 th century BC Epic poet and oral historian who lived during the 8 th century BC The Iliad and the Odyssey The Iliad and the OdysseyIliad and the OdysseyIliad and the Odyssey –The Iliad deals with a small part of the 10 th and last year of the Trojan War which had taken place during the Mycenaean age These helped shape the Greek spirit and religion These helped shape the Greek spirit and religion –young Greeks memorized his lines –His heroes were admired and emulated –Scholars used Homer to justify moral truths Homer dealt with the hero’s action and his inner thoughts and feelings Homer dealt with the hero’s action and his inner thoughts and feelings

7. Homer’s Contribution. Doh...! Homer anticipated the Greek’s attitude of mind that there is a fundamental (and universal) order to things Homer anticipated the Greek’s attitude of mind that there is a fundamental (and universal) order to things –These ideas would later be incorporated in to Greek philosophy He talked about the tragic quality of war- vicious cycles He talked about the tragic quality of war- vicious cycles –It confers dignity on the victorious but suffering an grief on the losers –Someday the hero will himself die by the sword too

8. Greek Humanism shows the beginning of the concept of the well rounded individual shows the beginning of the concept of the well rounded individual –Nobility of mind and action –The Phoenix tells Achilles that a man of true worth is “a speaker of words and a doer of actions” Greek Humanism- a concern with man and his achievements Greek Humanism- a concern with man and his achievements For the Egyptians and Mesopotamians the gods were responsible for the good or evil that befell human beings For the Egyptians and Mesopotamians the gods were responsible for the good or evil that befell human beings For the Greeks, human beings pay their respect to the gods but they do not live in perpetual fear of them; they choose their own way, sometimes turning against the gods For the Greeks, human beings pay their respect to the gods but they do not live in perpetual fear of them; they choose their own way, sometimes turning against the gods Homer’s view of external order and individual excellence form the foundations of the Greek outlook Homer’s view of external order and individual excellence form the foundations of the Greek outlook

9. Greek Religion Greek Religion During the Dark Age it was a mixture of beliefs and cults of gods and goddesses inherited from their Mycenaean, Near Eastern, and Indo-European ancestors During the Dark Age it was a mixture of beliefs and cults of gods and goddesses inherited from their Mycenaean, Near Eastern, and Indo-European ancestors Homer’s epics begin to form the foundation of Olympian gods Homer’s epics begin to form the foundation of Olympian gods No uniform creed, official priests or sacred books No uniform creed, official priests or sacred books More ritual than belief; more social than spiritual More ritual than belief; more social than spiritual Visited the temple for private matters or for civic processions Visited the temple for private matters or for civic processions Altar was important for sacrifices Altar was important for sacrifices Some worshiped heroes who were half god Some worshiped heroes who were half god Some followed mystery religions Some followed mystery religions Most observed a combination of myth, folklore, ritual and cult Most observed a combination of myth, folklore, ritual and cult

10. Evolution of City-States Between 750 and 323 BC Greece consisted of independent city- states Between 750 and 323 BC Greece consisted of independent city- states The average polis was small and consisted of about 5000 male citizens The average polis was small and consisted of about 5000 male citizens –Conducive to democracy The mature polis was self-governing and reflected the will of free citizens not the desires of gods, hereditary kings, or priests (opposite of the Near East) The mature polis was self-governing and reflected the will of free citizens not the desires of gods, hereditary kings, or priests (opposite of the Near East) These city-states also began with a religious tone but citizens began to deemphasize the role of the gods These city-states also began with a religious tone but citizens began to deemphasize the role of the gods –Laws become the expression of human intelligence; they don’t emanate from the gods or from divine authority –This didn’t destroy religion; it changed the way it was practiced People still worshipped the gods of the city as a civic duty People still worshipped the gods of the city as a civic duty

11. The Greek Contribution “What made Greek political life different from that of earlier Near Eastern civilizations, as well as gave it enduring significance, was the Greeks’ gradual realization that community problems are caused by human beings and require human solutions…. Law was valued because it expressed the will and needs of the community, not out of fear of the divine” (Perry 2004, 58) “What made Greek political life different from that of earlier Near Eastern civilizations, as well as gave it enduring significance, was the Greeks’ gradual realization that community problems are caused by human beings and require human solutions…. Law was valued because it expressed the will and needs of the community, not out of fear of the divine” (Perry 2004, 58)

12. Sparta Agrarian culture on the rugged coast of Lacedaemonia Agrarian culture on the rugged coast of Lacedaemonia According to Homer it was the home of Menelaus and Helena According to Homer it was the home of Menelaus and Helena During the Archaic period they expanded the boundaries of their polis to become the leading power in Greece During the Archaic period they expanded the boundaries of their polis to become the leading power in Greece Overpopulation led to a need for more food and raw materials so they established one colony abroad at Tarentum, Italy Overpopulation led to a need for more food and raw materials so they established one colony abroad at Tarentum, Italy

13. Colonization 735 BC they conquered Messenia, a fertile region 735 BC they conquered Messenia, a fertile region After 20 years of battle the Spartans won and turned the Messenians into helots or serfs After 20 years of battle the Spartans won and turned the Messenians into helots or serfs The helots outnumbered the Spartans 10 to 1 so they set up a militaristic society The helots outnumbered the Spartans 10 to 1 so they set up a militaristic society –Spartans fought. Helots did agrarian work. Perioikoi did the trades and crafts. By 650 BC the helots were fed up with Spartan oppression and revolted and began the second Messenian war By 650 BC the helots were fed up with Spartan oppression and revolted and began the second Messenian war –War took tremendous engagement by the Spartans tremendous engagement tremendous engagement –Spartans were victorious but much of the fighting was done by non-nobles They demanded rights equal to the nobility They demanded rights equal to the nobility Land was divided equally with helots raising the crops Land was divided equally with helots raising the crops

14. Spartan Culture From the age of seven boys lived separate from their families From the age of seven boys lived separate from their families Slept outside on reed mats and underwent rugged training and Homer’s works were memorized Slept outside on reed mats and underwent rugged training and Homer’s works were memorizedHomer’s works Homer’s works At 24 they join the front lines At 24 they join the front lines At 30 they became citizens At 30 they became citizens At 60 they gained full independence At 60 they gained full independence Going into battle it is said that a mother would tell her son to either come back victorious carrying his sword or being carried on his sword Going into battle it is said that a mother would tell her son to either come back victorious carrying his sword or being carried on his sword Spartan women were also tough, independent and patriotic Spartan women were also tough, independent and patriotic They were forbidden to wear jewelry or ornate clothing but enjoyed a more active public life than other women in Greece They were forbidden to wear jewelry or ornate clothing but enjoyed a more active public life than other women in Greece

15. Athens Located in a good position in Attica with many ports for foreign trade Located in a good position in Attica with many ports for foreign trade Developed a powerful navy Developed a powerful navy Whereas the Spartans thought that trade was below them, Athenians excelled in it Whereas the Spartans thought that trade was below them, Athenians excelled in it Athens allowed a citizen the right to govern the polis Athens allowed a citizen the right to govern the polis Moved through a series of political developments Moved through a series of political developments –Monarchy –Oligarchy –Tyranny –Democracy

16. Contrasts between Athens and Sparta Sparta was a land power and was mainly agrarian; Athens was on a peninsula, had a sea power and was a commercial capital Sparta was a land power and was mainly agrarian; Athens was on a peninsula, had a sea power and was a commercial capital Sparta’s leaders were isolationists; Athenians wanted to establish hegemony among Greek cities Sparta’s leaders were isolationists; Athenians wanted to establish hegemony among Greek cities Sparta saw freedom as protecting the fatherland; for Athenians it was political freedom and it sought the full development of human individuality Sparta saw freedom as protecting the fatherland; for Athenians it was political freedom and it sought the full development of human individuality

17. Political changes Draco 621 BC- first law code of the Athenians Draco 621 BC- first law code of the Athenians Aristocracy began to oppress the peasants Aristocracy began to oppress the peasants –They owned the best land –Governed and interpreted the law –Forced small farmers into economic oppression –Sold families into slavery Tyrannies developed Tyrannies developed

18. Solon the poet Known as the Reformer Known as the Reformer Used poetry to condemn the aristocracy Used poetry to condemn the aristocracypoetry Eventually elected archon or chief magistrate Eventually elected archon or chief magistrate He freed all people enslaved for debt He freed all people enslaved for debt Made enslavement for debt illegal Made enslavement for debt illegal Gave commoners a place in government Gave commoners a place in government

19. Pisistratus- The Tyrant Took advantage of instability after Solon Took advantage of instability after Solon Became a one man ruler and tyranny replaced oligarchy Became a one man ruler and tyranny replaced oligarchy His achievement was that he promoted cultural life His achievement was that he promoted cultural life Athens emerged as a cultural center Athens emerged as a cultural center His actions also weakened the aristocracy His actions also weakened the aristocracy

20. Cleisthenes- The Democrat Pisistratus’ power was passed to his two sons; one was killed and the other was exiled Pisistratus’ power was passed to his two sons; one was killed and the other was exiled Cleisthenes, an aristocrat sympathetic to democracy assumed leadership Cleisthenes, an aristocrat sympathetic to democracy assumed leadership Democracy was firmly in place and the Assembly was becoming the supreme authority Democracy was firmly in place and the Assembly was becoming the supreme authority The Persian Wars change the scenario The Persian Wars change the scenario

21. The Persian Wars 499 BC Ionian Greeks rebelled against their Persian overlord 499 BC Ionian Greeks rebelled against their Persian overlord Herodotus traveled the world to try to piece together the war- He said that this was the beginning of a bad thing for Athens and the world around her. Herodotus traveled the world to try to piece together the war- He said that this was the beginning of a bad thing for Athens and the world around her. Thucydides was another historian but he focused on the Peloponnesian wars Thucydides was another historian but he focused on the Peloponnesian wars The Persian Wars took place The Persian Wars took place –Began at Thermopylae –Greek fleet beat the Persians at Themistocle even though they were outnumbered Delian League is formed ushering in Athenian imperialism Delian League is formed ushering in Athenian imperialism –This made the Greeks the prevailing power in the eastern world –The Athenian Empire began to dominate the empire –eventually leads to the Peloponnesian wars Sparta warned Athens that they were encroaching on Spartan territory Sparta warned Athens that they were encroaching on Spartan territory A battle ensued and fighting lasted from 431 to 404 BC A battle ensued and fighting lasted from 431 to 404 BC Sparta was victorious with their commander Lysander Sparta was victorious with their commander Lysander

22. Greek Arts The Greeks invented drama The Greeks invented drama Aeschylus Aeschylus –Oresteia- betrayal, murder, reconciliation Reason and justice must be applied to reconcile fundamental conflicts Reason and justice must be applied to reconcile fundamental conflicts Sophocles Sophocles –Antigone- personal and political, divine law over human defects, law is required for a tranquil state –Oedipus man doomed by the gods to kill his father and marry his mother He tries like hell to avoid the fate but every move brings him a step closer He tries like hell to avoid the fate but every move brings him a step closer When he realizes what he did he blinds himself When he realizes what he did he blinds himself Humans must obey the will of the gods even when we don’t understand Humans must obey the will of the gods even when we don’t understand Euripides- tragic flaw, passions should not overwhelm reason Euripides- tragic flaw, passions should not overwhelm reason Aristophanes- Satirist that lampooned city officials Aristophanes- Satirist that lampooned city officials

23. Other Aspects of Ancient Greek Culture The Poetry of Sappho The Poetry of Sappho Plato’s Symposium Plato’s Symposium The Exception or the Rule? The Exception or the Rule?

24. The Meaning of Love The Splitting of Humanity The Splitting of Humanity Vulgar vs. Virtuous Love Vulgar vs. Virtuous Love Eros, Philia, Agape Eros, Philia, Agape

25. Tyrtaeus For it is a shameful thing indeed When with the foremost fighters An elder falling in front of the young man Lies outstretched, Having white hair and grey beard Breathing forth his stout soul in the dust, Holding in his hands his genitals Stained with blood

26. The man whose riches satisfy his greed by Solon Solon The man whose riches satisfy his greed Is not more rich for all those heaps and hoards Than some poor man who has enough to feed And clothe his corpse with such as God affords. I have no use for men who steal and cheat; The fruit of evil poisons those who eat. Some wicked men are rich, some good men poor, But I would rather trust in what's secure; Our virtue sticks with us and makes us strong, But money changes owners all day long.