The Glory of Greek Civilization

THE GLORY OF GREEK

CIVILIZATIONClassical Greece

2000B.C. – 200 B.C.

THREE AEGEAN CIVILIZATIONS What direction is the Aegean Sea from

Greece? 2000-1100 B.C. Three major civilizations

prospered in the area around the Aegean SeaMinoans on the island of CreteThe Hellenes on the mainlandThe Trojans on Troy

On the coast of Asia Minor

MINOANS 1700 B.C. – 1400 B.C. Located on the Island of Crete which is in

what direction from Greece? The term Minoan comes from the name

Minos, a legendary king of Crete. Crete had poor soil and good harbors

Much of their wealth came from trade Ships carried goods throughout the lands

Gold, Silver, jewelry, swords, and ivory carvings No large army – instead built a powerful

navy to keep sea free from pirates

MINOAN CULTURE Made clay vases, bronze daggers, gold

cups, and other luxury items Minoans had indoor plumbing with

drains Were skilled at Boxing and Bull Jumping

Most impressive city = Knossos (on the island of Crete)

THE FALL OF THE MINOANS Decline of this civilization has no known

causeSome believe that Hellenes invaded Crete

sometime between 1450 and 1350 B.C. It is known however that the Hellenes

on mainland Greece had opened direct trading with Egypt and Syria and that such trade would not have been possible if the Minoan navy had still controlled the seas

THE TROJAN WARS After the fall of Crete, the Hellenes

turned their power in other places They expanded their trade into the

black Sea Region As time passed, these people came into

conflict with the people who lived in the city-state of Troy

Between 1200-1180 B.C. two Trojan wars were fought

WHAT IS THE TROJAN WAR?

A Greek poet named Homer created a long poem about the wars ILLIADThought to be based

on oral or spoken poetry

THE ILLIAD The Trojan Wars started after Paris, a son of

the King of Troy, kidnapped Helen, the beautiful wife of a Greek King. An army of greek heroes, including Achilles and Odysseus, sailed to Troy to rescue Helen. The great battle between Achilles and Hector, prince of Troy, in which Hector is killed, is a high point of the poem. The Greeks finally defeated the Trojans and destroyed Troy

Based on Heinrich Schliemann, Troy as described by Homer, really did exist

THE FALL OF THE AEGEAN PEOPLES Dorians Came in after the fall of Troy when all

other Greek city-states were fighting each other

They didn’t write anything down so the Greeks fell into what is known as the Dark Ages

THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ATHENS

The Classical Age

HIGHEST POINT OF DEVELOPMENT Began around 500 B.C. Because of the geography, the Greeks DID

NOT create one Nation – instead they created many city-states also called POLI Independent of one another

Each was governed as it’s citizens viewed bestMonarchy – ruled by a kingAristocracy – ruled by noblesOligarchy – ruled by wealthy merchants and

landowners Athens chose Democracy

Ruled by the people

ATHENIAN DEMOCRACY http://

www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/worldhistory/athens/

Athens was different from all others – they had democracy

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/worldhistory/democracy/

MALES VS FEMALES Males began preparing for their role in the

democratic government at 18 Public pledge to defend Athens and Gods After training for 2 years – enter into active military

Only after they served in military could they then vote

After 30 he could serve on the Council of 500 This supervised the army, the navy, and financial

affairs Could also serve on jury (6000 people) Could also be elected to serve as one of the Ten

Generals They led the armed forces of Athens

Not all people could practice in the democracyWomanSlaves or prisoners of warResidents who were not born in Athens

Athens is therefore ruled by a MINORITY not a MAJORITY

EDUCATION IN ATHENS Boys were educated to serve the city

Grammar Singing and musical instrument Geometry, astronomy, geography, and public

speaking Also trained the body

Participated in sports Wrestling, swimming, running, and throwing the

javelin and discus Girls

Taught to be good wives and mothers Weaving, household management, and the care

of children Married between age 14 and 16

CULTURE What is culture? What does it mean to have culture or to

be cultured?

Arts and Sciences Talented people came to Athens to learn

– what does this tell us about the culture of Athens?

Artists, architects, sculptors, dramatists, philosophers, mathematicians,

GREAT MINDS OF ATHENS

Socrates

Plato

Aristotle

SOCRATES

PLATO

ARISTOTLE

DRAMATISTS Wrote plays called Tragedies

AeschylusSophoclesEuripedes

Wrote comediesAristophanes

HISTORIANS Herodotus

Wars between Greeks and Persians Thucydides

Peloponnesian War

SPARTAThe Military State

SECOND MOST IMPORTANT CITY-STATE

Cared little about democracy or the arts Most of their interests were around

military matters Government became organized around

600 B.C. Strongest military power in all of Greece

Ignored all other city-states

GOVERNMENT Elected two kings every 9 years A council of elders and an assembly of free

Spartans advised the king Council of elders = 28 men over the age of 60 Assembly of free Spartans = men over age 30

Ephors held real power This was a committee of 5 people elected every year

by the assembly Closely watch the actions of the king Control education Supervise slaves

Spartan people only lived to served the needs of the government

WAYS OF LIFE All males are professional soldiers

Spent childhood training for the military Most of adult life in the army

All boys, starting at age 7 moved away from home to a military training camp Here they were taught how to be good Spartans

Men required to marry at the age of 30 in order to start having a family This gave the government more soldiers!

Men stayed in the military and did not live at home with their wives until after they were 60 years old

SPARTAN WOMEN Received no formal education Taught to be healthy mothers Had more legal rights then other woman

in other city states Had legal rights equal to men

SPARTAN CITIZENS Not allowed to participate in trade or

manufacturingPeople who were not citizens did this for the

Spartans Spartans owned farms

Helots = non Spartan slavesHelots do all of the work on the farms

Mainly agriculture with very little trade

Very, very harsh life