CHAPTER 4
The Ancient Greeks
Greece
What they did…
Fished SailedTraded Farmed- rocky soil made it difficult
Wheat, barley, olives, grapes Sheep, goats
Minoans
First to arise in regionMade wealth from tradeSailed as far as Egypt and SyriaHistorians debate if they were washed away
by undersea earthquakes or if their civilization was destroyed by the Mycnaeans
Mycenaens
Became 1st Greek Kings around 1900 bceFrom central AsiaOrganized around a fortified palace on a hillPowerful tradersExcellent in battleLater declined into dark age from declining
trade and poverty…between 1100 and 750 bce
Greek Citizenship
Shift from subjects to citizens is new concept developed
Applied to free, native-born, land holding men
Could vote and pass lawsOwn propertyHold officeDefend themselves on courtIn return had to serve in government and be
soldiers
Hoplites
700 bce Armies increasingly composed of Hoplites,
citizen soldiersHeavily armed foot soldiers that carried
sword, shield and long spearFought shoulder to shoulder and formed wallTook pride in fighting for their city-state
Hoplite Army
Sparta
Oligarchy- power is held by small group 2 kings and council of elders
Military is central institution Boys joined at 7 and returned home at 30 Harsh training and strict discipline… 126 Lagged in trade, science, and arts
Athens
A budding DemocracyMoves towards citizen council and away from
rule by wealthy land ownersInfluence many future western civilizationsLess militaristic than SpartansFocused on all aspects of education
Math Science Art Literature….
Persian Empire
Growth of Persia
Cyrus the Great united Persians into powerful Kingdom and ruled 559 bce to 530 bce
Powerful army but a just ruler helped keep empire together
Miles of road connected empire
Darius
Came to power in 521 bceVery large armyPersonal guard of 10,000 called immortalsReorganized empire into 20 provinces called
Satripes, ruled by satraps
Persians and Greeks Clash
Battle of Marathon in 490 bceBattle of Themopylae in 480 bce was
beginning of Persian intrusion by Xerses Battle of Plataea- drove Persians outPersia is ultimately its own worst enemy-
becomes to large, rulers too extravagant, taxes to high, and eternal fighting weaken empire from within
Delian League
Alliance of Greek city states that help drive out Persians
Unites Greeks
Direct Democracy
People voted on matters concerning daily and civic life
Innovative form of gov’t Better for smaller populationsWOULD NOT WORK IN U.S.
Pericles- Golden Age
Led Athens from 461 bce- 429 bce
Made Athens very powerful in Delian League
Allowed less wealthy to participate
Age of creativity and learning
Started major rebuilding program
Supported arts
Life in Athens
Most populous city state- close to 300,000Slavery was commonMany farmed and raised sheep and goatsTrade flourished in AthensAthenian men lived social lives Women usually confined to home where life
revolved around family
Peloponnesian War
Sparta and other city states grow suspicious and resent the wealth and power of Athens
Lasted from 431 BCE to 404 BCEAthens stayed in city and fought off Sparta
and other aggressorsSparta is helped by Persia and assembles a
navy that destroyed Athenian fleet and also won other land battles-405 BCE
Weakened all involved and made it impossible for Greek city states to unite