Ancient Greece

ANCIENTANCIENT GREECEGREECE

By Erik M. ChristiansonBy Erik M. Christianson

What influences did Athens and Sparta have on the Greek Empire and how is the Greek Empire still relevant today?

Ancient Greece Ancient Greece

The ancient Greek Empire took place between 3200 and 1100 B.C.

The Greeks were known as the seafaring The Greeks were known as the seafaring people. They had many ships and sailed the people. They had many ships and sailed the Mediterranean Sea for trading purposes.Mediterranean Sea for trading purposes.

City-StatesCity-StatesGreece was made up of many city-states. Each of these areas was self sufficient; meaning they had there own towns, farms, armies, and governments. This separation was due to natural barriers such as seas and mountains.

Though there were geographical separations, Greeks spoke the same language, worshipped the same gods, and shared many customs.

Mount OlympusMount Olympus•Greeks were polytheistic, meaning they believed in many gods. They believed that these gods lived on the highest mountain above the clouds.•The Greeks built temples, made sacrifices, and played games to please their gods, these events would be known as the Olympic games.

Each god symbolized something different, Aphrodite was the goddess of love, Ares was the god of war, Apollo the god of music and poetry, and Zeus the god of the sky and thunder.

AthensAthens • Athens was one of the Athens was one of the

greatest city-states of greatest city-states of Ancient Greece.Ancient Greece.

• They had a strong They had a strong educational system, the educational system, the men were known for men were known for being great thinkers and being great thinkers and Philosophers. Philosophers.

• Some women had the Some women had the opportunity to take opportunity to take reading and writing reading and writing lessons, but mostly they lessons, but mostly they were taught to care for were taught to care for the home.the home.

SpartaSparta• Sparta was the only city-Sparta was the only city-

state to have a state to have a permanent army; Spartan permanent army; Spartan soldiers were known for soldiers were known for being the best in Ancient being the best in Ancient Greece.Greece.

• Boys began tough Boys began tough training for the Spartan training for the Spartan army starting at the age army starting at the age of 7 and lived in the army of 7 and lived in the army barracks even after they barracks even after they were married.were married.

• Spartan girls also Spartan girls also received a formal received a formal education in gymnastics, education in gymnastics, dance, music, and dance, music, and singing. singing.

Athens And Sparta vs. The Athens And Sparta vs. The Persian EmpirePersian Empire• Athens and Sparta had Athens and Sparta had

always been bitter always been bitter rivals with one another rivals with one another but when foreign but when foreign invaders attacked the invaders attacked the two city-states always two city-states always united.united.

• The Persian Empire The Persian Empire attempted to invade attempted to invade Greece in 490 B.C. this Greece in 490 B.C. this battle lasted over 40 battle lasted over 40 years and was known years and was known as The Persian Wars. as The Persian Wars.

Ancient Greece had a Ancient Greece had a democratic form of democratic form of government that government that allowed every citizen allowed every citizen to have a say in state to have a say in state affairs.affairs.

This inspired our fore fathers while drafting our American constitution.

Government

Today, many tourists visit the ancient runes of Greece.

The End