Mountains covered ¾ of Ancient Greece- only ¼ of the land was arable (suitable for agriculture) Effect on politics Small, local community governments-

Mountains covered ¾ of Ancient Greece- only ¼ of the land was arable (suitable for agriculture)

Effect on politics• Small, local community governments-

NEVER united into one empire Effect on population

• Not enough farm land to support a large population

Minoans• Crete; sea traders• Influenced Mycaneans

Mycenaeans – Indo-Europeans who preserved and spread Minoan culture•Trojan War – fought between the Mycenaeans and the Trojans about 1200 BCE

Around 1200 BC, Mycenaean civilization collapsed.

The Dorians moved into the countryside.

No writing

o The ancient Greeks believed a healthy body is equal to a healthy mind.

o Ancient Greek city-states were always at war with one another. All battles stopped during the Olympic festival. The soldiers who were also good athletes were allowed to travel to Olympia to participate in the events.

o This was a tradition practiced to honor the Greek god Zeus. There would be no war or battle for seven days prior to the battle and seven days after the battle.

• Athletes trained in the nude• Women were not allowed to watch• Prize – “athlon” - The prizes were a

wreath of olive leaves or a branch of palm or woolen ribbons.

• Only one event was conducted for the first thirteen Olympics.• "Stadion" race, where the athletes raced up one

length of the stadium that was 192 meters• Players ran back and forth like a swimming event

Discus Javelin Long Jump Boxing – no rounds Wrestling – in the nude – biting was

illegal Pankration – an all out brawl – no biting

or gouging out opponents eyes Pentathlon – contest of 5 different

events

Zeus overthrew his father to rule.

He was believed to be the lord of the sky, the rain god.

Married to Hera Punished anyone

who lied to him or failed to keep their oaths.

Brother of Zeus He was lord of the

sea according to Greek mythology

Married Amphitrite His weapon was

the trident which can shake the earth and shatter any object.

Brother of Zeus He got the worst draw

and became the lord of the underworld ruling over the dead.

He is also the god of wealth due to the precious metals in the earth.

His wife is Persephone

Wife and sister of Zeus She is the Goddess of

the Hearth, the symbol of the house around which a new born child is carried before it is received into the family.

Ares: disliked by both parents. god of War Athena: sprang fully grown from her

father’s forehead. goddess of the city and agriculture.

Apollo: god of music Aphrodite: goddess of love, desire and

beauty. Hermes: Zeus’ messenger Artemis: goddess of wild things Hephaestus: only god that was physically

ugly and lame. God of fire and forge.

Remember, a city-state is a city and it’s surrounding lands controlled by a strong government----- the Greeks did not unite into an empire- but a league of loosely united city-states

Polis- fundamental political unit in ancient Greece (Greek city-state)• Made up of a city and its surrounding countryside

• 50-500 square miles• Less than 10,000 residents• Citizens gathered at the agora (marketplace) on

the acropolis (fortified hill-top) to discuss city government

www.grisel.net/acropolis.htm

The Acropolis in Athens Today

Greek city-states had many different forms of government• Monarchy- a single person, KING, ruled the government• Aristocracy- ruled by a small group of noble, land-

owning families. Rich families gained political power after serving in king’s cavalry As trade grew, new merchant class grew and if they were not happy with

rule, they took power or shared it with nobility• Oligarchy- ruled by a few powerful people a new class

of wealthy merchants dissatisfied with nobles took over power

• Democracy: rule of the people – government is controlled by its citizens, either directly or through representatives

• Tyrants-powerful leaders who gained support of common people after agreeing to set up building programs and provide jobs for their supporters.

Athenian democracy: rule by the people in Athensa. Draco- legal code- all Athenians were equal

under law & death was punishment for most crimes & upheld debt slavery – dealt harsh punishments for criminals

a. First step to a democracyb. Solon- four social classes based on wealth- only

TOP three could hold political office; all could participate in Athenian assembly

a. Introduces concept that any citizen could bring charges against wrong doers

b. Abolishes debt slavery

a. Cleisthenes- divided citizens based on where they lived not wealth

a. 10 groups – breaking up the wealthb. citizens could submit laws, to the council of

Five Hundred proposed laws and counseled the Assembly (members were chosen at random)

c. Only native-born, property-owning males are citizens

d. These reforms allowed Athenian citizens to participate in a limited democracy

Schooling only for sons of wealthy families• Began around age 7 and largely prepared boys to

be good citizens.• Studied reading, grammar, poetry, history, math,

and music• Received training in logic and public speaking• When boys got older, they went to military school

to learn how to defend Athens – another important part of citizenry

Girls learn from mothers and other female members of household • Learned about child-rearing, weaving, cooking,

cleaning, and other skills to make them good wives/mothers

• Very few learned to read/write

Located in southern part of Greece•Sparta, isolated from

much of Greece, builds military state

Around 725 B.C., Sparta conquers Messenia•Messenians become

helots—peasants forced to farm the land Spartans demanded ½

helots crops a year•Harsh rule leads to

Messenian revolt; Spartans build stronger state

Sparta government has four branches; citizens elect officials

Three social classes: citizens, free noncitizens, helots—slaves

Branches of governmenta. Citizens and elected officials general assembly-voted on

issuesb. Elders 30 older citizens that proposed the laws to the

assembly – Council of Eldersc. 5 elected officials carried out the laws passed by assembly

and 2 kings for military operations• This is closer to a republic than a pure democracy.

• Republic – power rests with citizens who have right to vote for their leaders

Spartan values: duty, strength, individuality, discipline over freedom • All forms of individual expression discouraged

Sparta has the most powerful army in Greece

All men served in the army until age 60• Daily life centered around military training

From age 7 – 30, they lived in Army barracks and trained• Spent days marching, exercising, and fighting

All put service to Sparta above everything else – controlled their lives

Iron weapons affordable to all New army of foot soldiers – hoplites Led to new army formation called the phalanx

– the most feared force in the ancient world.• Stood side by side each holding a spear in one hand and

a shield in the other• Most powerful fighting force in ancient world

Assisted Greeks in the Persian Wars

Girls receive some military training and live hardy lives

Girls also taught to value service to Sparta above all else

Women sent their husbands and sons off to war with a motto, “Return with your shield or on them.”

Spartan women had a lot of freedom, especially running the family estates when husbands were on active military service.

Unhealthy babies were left to die on hillsides near the ocean.

What does this tell you about Spartan culture?

•Persia’s western expansion threatened Greek independence. Began in Ionia (on the coast of Anatolia) Greeks settled there long before Persians came in and conquered it.

•Greeks did not and could not tolerate losing their freedom.

•The Greek colonies joined together and rebelled and overthrew the Persian rule. Athens send aid

• Persian army attacks Athens, is defeated at Marathon in 490 B.C. 490 BC a Persian fleet of 25,000 men 10,000 Athenians in phalanxes waited Greeks vastly outnumbered but charged Persians lost more than 6,000 while

Athens 200 War shows that Persians were not

invincible• Runner Pheidippides races to Athens to

announce Greek victory Although Athens won battle, their city

was defenseless. “Rejoice we conquer”

After Greek victory at Marathon, Darius III (leader of Persia) was furious and organized an invasion.

He died before the invasion but his son Xerxes carried it out 10 years later.

In 480 B.C., Persians launch new invasion of Greece

Greeks are divided; many stay neutral or side with Persians

Xerxes’ army met no resistance as it marched down the eastern coast of Greece until they came to a narrow pass with 7,000 Greeks blocking their way.

Greek forces hold Thermopylae for three days before retreating

A force of 7000 Greeks faced 200,000 Persians.

Greek forces hold Thermopylae for three days before retreating

A Greek traitor gave the Persians an advantage and the Greeks were forced to retreat…all but three hundred Spartans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gfZnWVoqZ8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kuna7sC5ek

Athenians debated how best to defend their city. Themistocles, an Athenian leader, convinced them to

evacuate the city and fight at sea. Position their fleet in a narrow channel near the island of

Salamis. Xerxes sets fire to Athens and orders his warships to

block both ends of channel Channel very small and Persian ships are too big and

can’t maneuver well Smaller Greek ships with battering rams attacked Xerxes watched as more than 1/3 of his fleet sank.

New self-confidence in Greece due to victory against Persians

Athens emerges as leader of Delian League Includes 200 city-states

Athens controls the league by using force against opponents

League members essentially become provinces of Athenian empire Used military force against members who challenged its

authority Stage is set for a dazzling burst of creativity in

Athens Intellectual and artistic learning – Golden Age of Athens

Skillful politician, inspiring speaker, respected general Led Athens during much of the Golden Age

Dominates life in Athens from 461 to 429 B.C. I. Goals

a.Strengthen democracy in Athensb.Hold and strengthen the “empire”c.Glorify Athensd.Stronger democracy: increased the number of paid

officialsc. Direct Democracy: citizens rule directly, not through

representativesc. Male citizens who served in assembly established all important

government policies in Athenian polis

Athenian Empire•Takes over Delian League; uses money to strengthen Athenian fleet Strongest fleet in the Mediterranean Sparta and other cities resent Athenian power and began making their own alliances

Glorifying Athens• Pericles buys gold, ivory, marble; hires artisans to

beautify Athens Classical art – used to describe idealistic, serene, graceful art

of Athens during Age of Pericles

Pericles goal was to have the greatest Greek artists and architects create magnificent sculptures and buildings to glorify Athens.

Pericles builds the Parthenon—a large temple to honor goddess Athena

Within temple, sculptor Phidias crafts 30-foot statue of Athena

Sculptors create graceful, strong, perfectly formed figures Faces show neither joy or anger, only serenity Sculptors tried to capture the grace of the

idealized human body in motion; portray beauty not realism

Classical art—values harmony, order, balance, proportion, beauty

Doric IonicCorinthian

Euclid: work is still the basis of courses in geometry; wrote Elements

Pythagoras – Ionian Greek philosopher who founded pythagoreanism

Archimedes: ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer – generally considered greatest mathematician of all time

Greeks invent drama as an art form; includes chorus, dance, poetry Theatrical productions in Athens were both an

expression of civic pride and a tribute to the gods. Two forms of drama: tragedy and comedy Tragedy—tells story of heroes’ downfall;

themes of love, hate, war Tragic hero – extraordinary abilities but one tragic

flaw

Comedy—makes fun of politics and respected people; slapstick humor Athenians could listen to criticism of themselves

illustrating freedom and openness of public discussion Greek dramatists include Aeschylus, Euripides,

Aristophanes Historians Herodotus and Thucydides record and

study past events Herodotus’ book of the Persian Wars considered first work of history Thucydides greatest historian from classical age – he believed certain types of

events and political situations recur over time and studying these events would aid in the understanding of the present

As Athens grew in wealth, prestige, and power, other city-states viewed it with hostility especially Sparta

Sparta vs. Athens- 431 BC Sparta had a strong army, Athens had a strong Navy- both wanted

war!• Athens weakened (during the 2nd year b/c of plague)

Plague essentially kills Pericles• 421 BC- signed a truce• 415 BC- Athens attacked Sicily (an ally of Sparta)

Fleet of 20,000 soldiers sent – plan was to destroy city-state Syracuse (one of Sparta’s wealthiest allies)

Crushing Athenian defeat• 404 BC- Athens is defeated in Sicily, but held out for 9 more years defending

their city.• Athenians and allies surrendered and Athens lost its empire, wealth,

After the war, rise of philosophers—thinkers, "lovers of wisdom“• Athenians had lost confidence in democratic government

and began to question its values• Time of uncertainty – thinkers determined to seek the

truth Greek thinkers based their philosophy on 2

assumptions:• Believe universe is subject to absolute and unchanging

laws• People could understand these laws through logic, reason

Socrates- absolute truth and justice don’t exist, question everything (Socratic Method) 1. believes in questioning,

self-examination of values, actions

1. “The unexamined life is not worth living. There is only one good – knowledge and one evil – ignorance.”

2. Convicted of corrupting young people and neglecting city-gods; sentenced to death in 399 B.C.

Plato- student of Socrates: The Republic (book) his vision of a perfectly formed (ideal) society- was not democracy• Establishes Athens school

(The Academy) lasts 900 years

• His writings dominate European philosophy for 1,500 years

• Said all citizens would naturally fall into 3 groups: Farmers and artisans Warriors Ruling class

Aristotle- invented rules of arguing that form the basis of the scientific method• student of Plato; uses rules

of logic for argument• Questioned the nature of the

world and of human belief, thought, and knowledge

• Tutors 13-year-old prince who becomes Alexander the Great

Reminder: Greek city-states were weakened by the Peloponnesian WarMacedonian King Philip II took notice

Location- Just north of Greece- rocky terrain and cold climate- most Macedonians were animal herders

Major resource- shrewd & fearless kings Thought of themselves as Greeks

•Greeks saw them as uncivilized b/c they had no great philosophers, sculptors or writers.

King at 23 years old Brilliant general and a ruthless politician Turned the peasants into a strong

professional army• Phalanxes (16x16) to break through enemy

lines• Fast moving cavalry to crush opponents

Attacked & easily defeated the Greeks• City-states could not agree on anything

thus never united against Philip• Athens and Thebes united, but it was too

late• Macedonians soundly defeated Greeks

ending Greek independence• Began centuries of foreign control of

Greece City-states retained self-government in local

areas however, Greece itself remained firmly under the control of a succession of foreign powers

Greece would be first Persia would be next Never able to complete plan b/c

he was assassinated at his daughter’s wedding (literally stabbed in the back)

Alexander proclaimed himself king only 20 years old• Well prepared to be a leader

Crushed an early rebellion by Thebes • 6000 Thebans killed- survivors

sold into slavery and the city was destroyed

• Frightened by this cruelty, the other Greek city-states quickly gave up any rebellion ideas

Philip’s 20 year old son Educated by Aristotle

in science, geography and literature

Loved Homer’s (Greek storyteller of epics such as Iliad) description of Achilles

Military training throughout his childhood by his father

Goal- Now Greece secure - carry out his father’s plan to invade and conquer Persia

Campaign in Anatolia• 35,000 troops vs. 40,000 Persians• Launched a quick attack and destroyed the Persian

defenses of DARIUS III (King)• Darius vows to win with an army of up to 75,000

(Alexander was SERIOUSLY outnumbered)• Surprise attack- straight to Darius!

Finest troops sent and broke through a weak point in Persian lines then army charged straight at Darius

To avoid capture, Darius fled – victory game Alexander control over Anatolia

Anatolia- Darius III ran away and tried to negotiate a peace settlement

Alexander declined and vowed to conquer all of Persia against his advisors wishes

Alex marched into Egypt- welcomed him as a liberator and crowned him pharaoh Alexander founded the city of Alexandria at mouth of the

Nile River in Egypt Alex left Egypt and moved into Mesopotamia to

confront Darius- Darius had 250,000 men Alex launched massive phalanx attacked followed by

cavalry charge Persian lines crumbled and Darius again panicked and fled This ended the Empire

Alexander had Persepolis, the Persian capital, burned to the ground• Ashes of Persepolis signaled total destruction of Persian

Empire

NO WAY! He wanted to control ALL of Asia• More interested in expanding empire rather than

governing it. India- huge offensive- but won The army was tired

•11 Years of fighting•11,000 miles of marching•Climate changes- deserts, monsoons, etc.•EXHAUSTED troops BEGGED him to turn back-

reluctantly he agreed

Politics were neglected After agreeing to turn back he planned to

strengthen and unify his lands•Construct new roads, cities, harbors•Conquer Arabia

Alexander never carried out his plan b/c he died. • Seriously ill with a fever – died a few days later at

32 years old.

After Alexander died, his Macedonia generals fought among themselves for control of his empire.

Eventually divided among 3 generals:• Antigonus – King of Macedonia and took control of

the Greek city-states• Ptolemy – seized Egypt, took title of pharaoh and

established a dynasty• Seleucus – took most of the old Persian Empire and

it became known as Seleucid Kingdom They ignored the traditions of the Greek polis

and ruled as dictators.

Cultural impact• Alexander adopted many Persian customs –

his wife was Persian• Included Persians and others in his army• A new culture emerged – blending of Greek

and Eastern emerged – HELLENISTIC CULTURE