CHAPTER 5: Classical Greece

Classical GreeceThe history and culture of classical Greece has a significant impact on

the modern world.

• Section 1: Cultures of the Mountains and the Sea

• Section 2: Warring City-States• Section 3: Democracy and Greece’s Golden

Age• Section 4: Alexander’s Empire

CHAPTER 5: Classical Greece

Section 1: Cultures of the Mountains and the Sea

• In ancient times, Greece was not a united country. It was a collection of separate lands where Greek-speaking people lived.

• The roots of Greek culture are based on interaction of the Mycenaean, Minoan, and Dorian cultures.

Section 1: Cultures of the Mountains and the Sea

Geography Shaped Greek LifeAncient Greece• Collection of separate lands where Greek-speaking people live• Includes mainland which is a mountainous peninsula and

about 2,000 islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas.The Sea• The sea shapes Greek civilization, like rivers did in the other

ancient civilizations. Instead of living on a land they really lived around a sea.

• Their proximity to sea and lack of resources encouraged them to be good sea travelers and traders.

Geography Shapes Greek Life

The Land• Mountains took up ¾ of the land in Greece: slowed travel

and divided land into regions with their own local governments and loyalties.

• Lack of fertile land and sources of fresh water lead to small populations and the need for colonization.

The Climate• Moderate climate promotes an outdoor life. This is because

during winter the temperatures would average around 48 degrees and in summer it was around 80 degrees.

• Greek men, especially, spend much of their time outside discussing public issues, exchanging news and living and active life.

Mycenaean Civilization DevelopsOrigins

• Mycenaeans: Were a group of Indo-Europeans who settled on Greek mainland in 2000 B.C.

• Took their name from their leading city, Mycenae. Located in southern Greece on a steep rocky ridge surrounded by a huge protective wall. Could withstand almost any attack.

• Mycenaean warrior-kings dominate Greece from 1600–1100 B.C. Dominated such areas as Tiryns and Athens.

Contact with Minoans• After 1500 B.C., Mycenaeans adopt Minoan sea trade and culture after

coming in contact with them. They took their writing system, religion, art, and literature.

The Trojan WarTrojan War—fought by Mycenaeans against city of Troy in 1200s B.C.A ten year war fought against Troy . As legend tells, a Greek army besieged

and destroyed Troy after a Trojan prince stole Helen, a wife of a Greek King.

Once thought to be fictional, archaeological evidence has been found to prove this event to have actually happened. It may be based on real cities, peoples, and events.

Greek Culture Declines Under the Dorians

Dorians Replace Mycenaeans• Mycenaean civilization collapses around 1200 B.C., not long after the

Trojan War.Sea raiders attacked and burned many of the Mycenaen cities.• Dorians, possibly relatives of Bronze Age Greeks, would move into

Greece.• Less advanced than Mycenaeans, Dorians leave no written records,

and the economy would crumble under their rule.Epics of Homer• Because of the lack of written records, oral tradition grows,

especially epics of Homer—a blind storyteller• Epic— a narrative poem about heroic deeds• Homer’s epic the Iliad, which is about Trojan War, shows Greek

heroic ideal. Warriors such as the fierce Greek Achilles or the Noble Hector or Troy are the definitions of heroes to the Greeks.

Greek Culture Declines Under the Dorians

Greeks Create Myths• Greeks develop their own myths—traditional stories about

gods• Greeks seek to understand mysteries of life (like the

changing of the seasons) through myths• Greeks would also attribute human qualities—love, hate,

jealousy—to their gods• Here are an example of a couple of their Gods.Zeus, ruler of Gods, lives on Mount Olympus with his wife,

Hera• Zeus’s daughter Athena is goddess of wisdom and guardian

of cities

Section 2: Warring City-States

• During the Dorian period, Greek civilization experienced decline. Dorians and Mycenaeans began to identify more with the area they were from and less with their ancestors.

• The growth of city-states began after tribal control began to transform more formal governments. This change in Greece lead to the development of several political systems, including democracy.

Warring City-States

Rule and Order in Greek City-StatesThe City-State• By 750 B.C. the Greek city-state, or polis, becomes the

formal government• A polis is a city and its surrounding villages, Most city-

states controlled anywhere from 50 to 500 square miles

• Population of a city-state is often less than 10,000• Citizens gather in the agora, which was the

marketplace, which was on an acropolis. An Acropolis is a fortified hilltop

Rule and Order in Greek City-States

Greek Political Structures• City-states have different forms of government• Monarchy —rule by a king• aristocracy—rule by nobility, rich landowning families• Oligarchy —rule by small group of powerful merchants and

artisans.Tyrants Seize Power• Rulers and common people clash in many city-states• Tyrants —nobles and wealthy citizens would win support of

common people. These tyrants were not harsh and cruel. They were actually looked upon as leaders who worked for the interests of the people.

Athens Builds a Limited DemocracyBuilding Democracy• About 621 B.C., democracy—rule by the people—develops in Athens after

many struggles between the rich and poor. Citizens would participate directly in political decision making.

• The first step in the move to democracy came when nobleman, Draco, develops legal code based on equality of citizens. Although most crimes were punishable by death.

• Ruler Solon abolishes debt slavery, which Draco had upheld this idea previously. He also breaks the population into four groups, and allowed all citizens to participate in the assembly.

• Cleisthenes breaks up the power of the nobility by having citizens make laws. Although citizens were only native-born, property-owning males are citizens. Women, slaves, and foreigners all had few rights.

Athenian Education• Schooling only for sons of wealthy families. Began around age 7 where they

studied many of the things students do today, but also public speaking and logic to help them participate in assembly. When they got older they went to military school in order to help them prepare to defend Athens.

• Girls learn from mothers and other female members of household. They didn’t have much to do with anything outside of their family and home. Only a few would actually learn to read and write.

Sparta Builds a Military StateSparta Builds a Military State• Sparta, located in the southern part of Greece and isolated

from much of Greece, builds military state. Which differed much from that of Athens.

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

become helots, peasants forced to farm the land• Harsh rule and spartans taking of half of their crops leads to

Messenian revolt and near defeat. As a result Spartan, dedicate their nation to being a stronger state.

Sparta’s Government and Society• Spartan government: They had an Assembly which featured

all Spartan citizens, A Council of Elders: made up of 30 older citizens, and five elected citizens to carry out laws.

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

Sparta Builds a Military State

Spartan Daily Life• Spartan values: duty, strength, discipline over freedom, but

individual expression was discouraged.• Service to Sparta was above anything else. So art, literature, and

other artistic and intellectual pursuits were not valued.• Sparta had the most powerful army in Greece, because of the

citizens service and devotion to their country and military.• Males move into barracks at age 7, train until 30, serve until 60.

Spent days marching, exercising and fighting. They lived a harsh life during training, they had to brave the elements and didn’t receive much food. They were encouraged to steal what they needed as it taught them how to be resourceful.

• Girls receive some military training and live hardy lives. They had considerable freedom compared to other Greek places like Athens.

• Girls also taught to value service to Sparta above all else

The Persian Wars

A New Kind of Army Emerges• Cheaper iron replaces bronze, making arms and armor cheaper• The affordable arms and armor lead to a new kind of army; no longer was

the army only for rich citizens, it would include soldiers from all classes• Foot solider were known as hoplites. The hoplites would form a Phalanx —

where they would stand side by side with a shield in one hand and a spear in the other. The phalanx would make the Spartans the best fighting force in the world.

Battle at Marathon• Persian Wars—between Greece and Persian Empire—begin in Ionia• After being conquered by the Persians, Ionian Greeks revolted with help

from Athens, but were defeated. After putting down the revolt, the Persian army attacks Athens, and is defeated at Marathon in 490 B.C.

Pheidippides Brings News• Runner Pheidippides races to Athens to announce Greek victory and to tell

the people to defend their city.

The Persian Wars

Thermopylae and Salamis• In 480 B.C., Persians launch new invasion of Greece• During this time, the Greeks are divided; many stay neutral

or side with Persians.• Greek forces, led by 300 Spartans would hold Thermopylae

for three days before all Spartans were killed, as the other Greeks retreated to fight another day.

• Athenians would defeat Persians at sea, near island of Salamis

• Victories at Salamis and Plataea force Persian retreat• Many city-states form Delian League and continue to fight

Persians. Pushing them out of Greek lands.

The Persian Wars

Consequences of the Persian Wars• New self-confidence in Greece due to victory• Athens emerges as leader of Delian League• Athens controls the league by using force against

opponents• League members essentially become provinces of

Athenian empire• Stage is set for a dazzling burst of creativity in

Athens

Section 3: Democracy and Greece’s Golden Age

• For almost 50 years (477-431) Athens experienced a growth in intellectual and artistic learning.

• Democratic principles and classical culture flourish during Greece’s golden age.

Section 3: Democracy and Greece’s Golden Age

Pericles’ Plan for AthensPericles as Leader• Skillful politician, inspiring speaker, respected general• Dominates life in Athens from 461 to 429 B.C.• He had 3 goals: 1.strenghten Athenian democracy 2.

hold and strengthen the empire 3. glorify Athens1. Stronger Democracy• Pericles hires more public officials; creates direct

democracy• Direct democracy —citizens rule directly, not through

representatives

2. Holding Athenian Empire

• Takes over Delian League; uses money to strengthen Athenian fleet

• Sparta and other cities resent Athenian power3. Glorifying Athens• Pericles buys gold, ivory, marble; hires artisans

to beautify Athens

Glorious Art and Architecture

Architecture and Sculpture• 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• Classical art—values harmony, order, balance,

proportion, beauty

Drama and History

Tragedy and Comedy• Greeks invent drama as an art form; includes chorus, dance,

poetry• Two forms of drama: tragedy and comedy• Tragedy—tells story of heroes’ downfall; themes of love,

hate, war• Comedy— makes fun of politics and respected people;

slapstick humor• Greek dramatists include Aeschylus, Euripides, AristophanesHistory• Historians Herodotus and Thucydides record and study past

events. Thucydides believes that history repeats itself. An idea most hold still today.

Athenians and Spartans Go to War

As Athens became rich and powerful, others started to view Athens with hostility. This was especially true with Sparta. Instead of avoiding war, both believed in their country’s might and pushed for war.

War Begins• 431 B.C. city-states Sparta and Athens begin their war—Peloponnesian WarPeloponnesian War• Sparta has better army, Athens has better navy. Sparta is land locked so it

avoids war at sea and tries to hurt Athens by burning their food. But they could just bring it in from other areas.

• Plague strikes Athens in 430 B.C., kills many—including Pericles, Athens was weak but continued to fight.

• Sparta and Athens sign truce in 421 B.C. after both were exhausted from the war.

Sparta Gains Victory• 415 B.C. Athens renews war, attacks Syracuse; is defeated badly in 413 B.C.• Athens and allies surrender to Sparta in 404 B.C., and lost their empire.

Philosophers Search for Truth

Rise of Great Philosophers• After the war, rise of philosophers—thinkers, "lovers of

wisdom"• Believe universe is subject to absolute and unchanging laws• People could understand these laws through logic, reason• Sophist philosopher Protagoras questions the existence of

Greek godsSocrates• Socrates—believes in questioning and self-examination of

ones values and actions• Convicted of corrupting young people; sentenced to death

in 399 B.C.

Philosophers Search for Truth

Plato• Plato— student of Socrates; writes The Republic—his recipe

for an ideal society• In 387 B.C., establishes Athens school, the Academy; lasts

900 years• His writings dominate European philosophy for 1,500 yearsAristotle• Aristotle—student of Plato; uses rules of logic for

argument• His work provides the basis for scientific method, still used

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

Section 4: Alexander’s Empire

• Phillip II builds up Macedonia’s army and takes over Greece, he would soon die and his son Alexander would take his spot as King.

• Alexander the Great conquers Persia and Egypt and extends his empire to the Indus River in northwest India.

Section 4: Alexander’s EmpirePhilip Builds Macedonian PowerMacedonia• Macedonia —kingdom of mountain villages north of Greece• King Philip II— was their ruler, a brilliant general, who dreamed of

controlling Greece• Macedonians call themselves Greek, but the rest of Greece does not,

they think they are backwards and uncivilized.Philip’s Army• Philip creates well-trained professional army; plans to invade

Greece. Uses Spartan ideas and tactics, as well as cavalries.Conquest of Greece• 338 B.C. Macedonians defeat Greece, Athens and Thebes joined

together to fight, but did not taking them seriously at first Greeks would lose their independence.

• But in 336 B.C. King Philip is murdered by one of his former guardsmen.

• His son claims himself king of Macedonia—his son was Alexander the Great

Alexander Defeats PersiaAlexander’s Early Life• Tutored by Aristotle where he learned science, geography, and

literature. He was inspired by the Iliad. He also had military training such as: riding horses, using weapons, and commanding troops.

• Alexander become king when he was 20 years old. One of the first things he does is destroy Thebes to curb a rebellion. The rest of the Greeks saw this cruelty and power, so they left their ideas of rebellion behind.

Invasion of Persia• In 334 B.C. Alexander invades Persia, following his father’s former

plans and he receives a quick victory at the Granicus River.• Darius III, king of Persia, sees the threat of Alexander and he

assembles an army of 50,000–75,000 men to fight agaisnt Alexander.

• Alexander defeats Persians again, this forces the King of Persia to flee. Alexander would now have control over Anatolia.

Alexander Defeats PersiaConquering the Persian Empire• After the defeat, Darius tries to negotiate a treaty with

Alexander, but he refuses as he wants to conquer all of Persia.

• Alexander marches into Egypt, and the Egyptians crowned him pharaoh in 332 B.C. They actually viewed him as a liberator.

• At Gaugamela in Mesopotamia, Alexander defeats Persians again. This marks the end of Persia’s power.

• Alexander captures cities of Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis• Persepolis, the Persian capital, burned to the ground.• Ashes of Persepolis signal total destruction of Persian

Empire

Alexander’s Other Conquests

Alexander in India• Alexander fights his way across the deserts of Central Asia to

India• Alexander conquers Indus Valley area in 326 B.C., and tries

to march on.• He would reluctantly return to Babylon because his soldiers

are tired and sick of fighting, and soon he dies in 323 B.C. at only the age of 32 years old.

Alexander’s Legacy• Alexander merges Greek and Persian cultures; he wears

Persian clothing and even his wife is Persian• Empire becomes three kingdoms: (1) Macedonia, Greek city-

states, led by Antigonus; (2) Egypt, led by Ptolemy; (3) old Persia, also known as Seleucid kingdom, is led by Selecus.