Slide 1

UNIT 4: ANCIENT GREECE1750 BC133 BC

After the river valley era, a number of classical civilizations developed in the Mediterranean and in AsiaClassic cultures created high levels of achievement in art, science, & technology that impacted future agesThe first major classical civilization was ancient Greece2Impact of Geography on Greece:Identify 1 geographic feature & propose how it might impact the culture of Greece

Greeces lack of natural resources & location on the Mediterranean Sea encouraged Greek trade with neighboring societies

Geography Shapes Greek LifeThe Sea The sea shaped Greek civilization just as rivers shaped the ancient civilizations of Egypt, the Fertile Crescent, India, and China. In one sense, the Greeks did not live on a land but around a sea. Greeks rarely had to travel more than 85 miles to reach the coastline. The Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the neighboring Black Sea were important transportation routes for the Greek people. These seaways linked most parts of Greece. As the Greeks became skilled sailors, sea travel connected Greece with other societies. Sea travel and trade were also important because Greece lacked natural resources, such as timber, precious metals, and usable farmland. The Land Rugged mountains covered about three-fourths of ancient Greece. The mountain chains ran mainly from northwest to southeast along the Balkan Peninsula. Mountains divided the land into a number of different regions. This significantly influenced Greek political life. Instead of a single government, the Greeks developed small, independent communities within each little valley and its surrounding mountains. Most Greeks gave their loyalty to these local communities. In ancient times, the uneven terrain also made land transportation difficult. Of the few roads that existed, most were little more than dirt paths. It often took travelers several days to complete a journey that might take a few hours today. Much of the land itself was stony, and only a small part of it was arable, or suitable for farming. Tiny but fertile valleys covered about one-fourth of Greece. The small streams that watered these valleys were not suitable for large-scale irrigation projects. With so little fertile farmland or fresh water for irrigation, Greece was never able to support a large population. Historians estimate that no more than a few million people lived in ancient Greece at any given time. Even this small population could not expect the land to support a life of luxury. A desire for more living space, grassland for raising livestock, and adequate farmland may have been factors that motivated the Greeks to seek new sites for colonies 4

Mountains covered about 75% of Greece which divided the people & made unifying the Greek people nearly impossible.Little farming in Greece- grapes and olives are main cropsNeed to import food.Geography Shapes Greek LifeThe Land Rugged mountains covered about three-fourths of ancient Greece. The mountain chains ran mainly from northwest to southeast along the Balkan Peninsula. Mountains divided the land into a number of different regions. This significantly influenced Greek political life. Instead of a single government, the Greeks developed small, independent communities within each little valley and its surrounding mountains. Most Greeks gave their loyalty to these local communities. In ancient times, the uneven terrain also made land transportation difficult. Of the few roads that existed, most were little more than dirt paths. It often took travelers several days to complete a journey that might take a few hours today. Much of the land itself was stony, and only a small part of it was arable, or suitable for farming. Tiny but fertile valleys covered about one-fourth of Greece. The small streams that watered these valleys were not suitable for large-scale irrigation projects. With so little fertile farmland or fresh water for irrigation, Greece was never able to support a large population. Historians estimate that no more than a few million people lived in ancient Greece at any given time. Even this small population could not expect the land to support a life of luxury. A desire for more living space, grassland for raising livestock, and adequate farmland may have been factors that motivated the Greeks to seek new sites for colonies 5

The Greeks developed independent city-states, called polis, within each valley & its surrounding mountainsA city-state is when a city acts like its own country with its own government, laws, military, customs, and culture.Geography Shapes Greek LifeThe Land Rugged mountains covered about three-fourths of ancient Greece. The mountain chains ran mainly from northwest to southeast along the Balkan Peninsula. Mountains divided the land into a number of different regions. This significantly influenced Greek political life. Instead of a single government, the Greeks developed small, independent communities within each little valley and its surrounding mountains. Most Greeks gave their loyalty to these local communities. In ancient times, the uneven terrain also made land transportation difficult. Of the few roads that existed, most were little more than dirt paths. It often took travelers several days to complete a journey that might take a few hours today. Much of the land itself was stony, and only a small part of it was arable, or suitable for farming. Tiny but fertile valleys covered about one-fourth of Greece. The small streams that watered these valleys were not suitable for large-scale irrigation projects. With so little fertile farmland or fresh water for irrigation, Greece was never able to support a large population. Historians estimate that no more than a few million people lived in ancient Greece at any given time. Even this small population could not expect the land to support a life of luxury. A desire for more living space, grassland for raising livestock, and adequate farmland may have been factors that motivated the Greeks to seek new sites for colonies 6Greek Culture Despite their lack of unity, the Greeks shared some common characteristics:Greeks shared the same languageGreek writing was influenced by the Phoenician alphabet & became the basis for Latin

Greeks were polytheistic & believed that the gods 7Greeks were polytheistic & believed that the gods were immortal but had human qualities; Religion became the basis for Greek mythology

Zeus King of the godsAthena Goddess of wisdomAphrodite Goddess of loveApollo God of sun & music Ares God of war Hades God of underworld Hera Goddess of family Poseidon God of the seas

Aphrodite The sensual goddess of Love and Beauty Apollo The youthful god of the Sun and the Music Ares The fierce god of War Artemis The wild goddess of the Hunt Athena The sophisticated goddess of Wisdom and ArtsDemeter The natural goddess of the Harvest Dionysus The joyful god of the Wine Hades The gloomy god of the Underworld Hephaestus The ill-favored god of Metallurgy Hera The mature goddess of the Family Hermes The cunning god of the Trade Hestia The calm goddess of the Hearth Poseidon The moody god of the Seas Zeus The heavenly King of the Gods and ruler of mankind8Minoan CivilizationFirst civilization on CreteReached it height between 1750- 1500 B.CNamed after King MinosSuccess based on trade throughout the Mediterranean SeaPalace at KnossosHoused royal familiesWalls covered with frescoes: watercolor paintings telling stories about Minoan civilizationDecline: possibilities include natural disaster or invaders

Mycenaean Civilization

Dominated Aegean from 1400- 1200 BC after conquering MinoansSea tradersLived in separate city statesCity-states walled fortresses The Trojan War 1250BCEconomic rivalry between Mycenaeans and Troy (Turkey) for control over straits between the Mediterranean and Black SeasGreek legend: Trojan price captures Greek wifeGreeks win Trojan Horse beware of Greeks bearing giftsHeinrich Schliemann seeks to find legendary city of Troy and found evidence of fire and war dating to 1250 BCDorians Invade = Dark Age of GreeceLess Advanced than MycenaeansEconomy collapsedTrade comes to standstillNo written records exist Oral Traditions LiteratureThe Trojan War forms the backdrop of the blind poet Homers The Iliad. An epic is a narrative poem that celebrates heroic deeds. The heroes in the Illiad are the fierce Achilles of Greece and the noble and courageous Hector of Troy.

The Odyssey tells of Odysseus struggles on return home to his wife Penelope from Troy

Most Greek city-states had an agora that was the center for trade & government

City-states had an acropolis, a temple on a hill dedicated to a sacred god Most Greek city-states had an agora that was the center for trade & government the gods 13The Greek city-states, especially Athens, developed cultural innovations that are still used today which transformed Greece into a classical civilization

14Despite similar language & religion, the Greek polis were very different from each other, especially how they were governedDifferences Among Greek City-States

Geography Shapes Greek LifeThe Land Rugged mountains covered about three-fourths of ancient Greece. The mountain chains ran mainly from northwest to southeast along the Balkan Peninsula. Mountains divided the land into a number of different regions. This significantly influenced Greek political life. Instead of a single government, the Greeks developed small, independent communities within each little valley and its surrounding mountains. Most Greeks gave their loyalty to these local communities. In ancient times, the uneven terrain also made land transportation difficult. Of the few roads that existed, most were little more than dirt paths. It often took travelers several days to complete a journey that might take a few hours today. Much of the land itself was stony, and only a small part of it was arable, or suitable for farming. Tiny but fertile valleys covered about one-fourth of Greece. The small streams that watered these valleys were not suitable for large-scale irrigation projects. With so little fertile farmland or fresh water for irrigation, Greece was never able to support a large population. Historians estimate that no more than a few million people lived in ancient Greece at any given time. Even this small population could not expect the land to support a life of luxury. A desire for more living space, grassland for raising livestock, and adequate farmland may have been factors that motivated the Greeks to seek new sites for colonies 15Differences Among Greek City-States

Some polis had a monarchy, a govt ruled by a king

16Differences Among Greek City-States

Some polis had an aristocracy, a govt ruled by elite nobles

Practiced in Corinth 17Differences Among Greek City-States

Some polis like Sparta had an oligarchy, a govt ruled by a small group of citizens

18Differences Among Greek City-States

Some polis like Athens had a direct democracy, a govt ruled by citizens who vote on decisions

19Recent Democratic Revolutions

Why do you think the people of Egypt and Libya demanded democracy?What point is the cartoonist making about Syria and its leader?

AthensSpartaAsia MinorGreeceMacedonia Peloponnesian PeninsulaCreteAegeanSeaMediterranean SeaThe Greek city-states Athens & Sparta represented the differences among polisAthenian society focused on wealth & culture:Athens evolved from a monarchy to aristocracy then to a limited democracy in which both rich & poor male citizens could vote & hold public office

Solon Reforms Government 594 BC

Outlawed debt slaveryFreed those who had been sold into slaveryOpened high offices to more citizensGranted citizenship to foreigners

Athenian society focused on wealth & culture

Architects built the Parthenon to honor the goddess Athena 24Athenian society focused on wealth & culture

Artists created realistic sculpturesPhidias- AthenaMyron- The Discus Thrower Theater had both comedies & tragediesAeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides- Tragedy Aristophanes- Comedy 25How did Greek art reflect the idea of idealism?

Idealism: showing in the most perfect formArchitects sought to convey perfect balance to reflect harmony and order of the universeExample: Parthenon: dedicated to AthenaEveryday statues had perfect form and shape

Greek Architecture - ColumnsGreek LiteratureClassical StyleField of dramaGreatest playwrights were Aeschylus , Euripides and SophoclesWrote tragedies: told of human sufferingExamples: Oresteia and AntigoneComedies: humorous playsAristophanesGreek HistoriansHerodotus: Father of History Thucydides Olympic GamesHeld every four years at Olympia to honor their Gods, began in 776BCE

Events included long distance running, wrestling, the long jump, the javelin, and the discuss throw.

Women were allowed to compete against other womenMost events tested the skills that were necessary for battleThe Greek city-states Athens & Sparta represented the differences among polisSpartan society focused on military strength, not freedom & learningSpartan men served in the military until 60 years oldBoys began military training at age 7Women ran family estates while men trained or fought

Spartans society did have slaves called Helots. These slaves were responsible for farming duties.Because of the presence of slaves, women were also given a military training so that when the men were away, they could protect the city. King Leonidas:"Spartans! Prepare for glory!"

Daxos:"Glory? Have you gone mad? There is no glory to be had now! Only retreat, or surrender or death."

King Leonidas:"It's an easy choice for us, Arcadian! Spartans never retreat! Spartans never surrender! Go spread the word. Let every Greek assembled know the truth of this. Let each among them search his own soul. And while your at it, search your own." Spartan Daily Life From around 600 until 371 B.C., Sparta had the most powerful army in Greece. However, the Spartan people paid a high price for their military supremacy. All forms of individual expression were discouraged. As a result, Spartans did not value the arts, literature, or other artistic and intellectual pursuits. Spartans valued duty, strength, and discipline over freedom, individuality, beauty, and learning. Since men were expected to serve in the army until the age of 60, their daily life centered on military training. Boys left home when they were 7 and moved into army barracks, where they stayed until they reached the age of 30. They spent their days marching, exercising, and fighting. They undertook these activities in all weathers, wearing only light tunics and no shoes. At night, they slept without blankets on hard benches. Their daily diet consisted of little more than a bowl of coarse black porridge. Those who were not satisfied were encouraged to steal food. Such training produced tough, resourceful soldiers. Spartan girls also led hardy lives. They received some military training, and they also ran, wrestled, and played sports. Like boys, girls were taught to put service to Sparta above everythingeven love of family. A legend says that Spartan women told husbands and sons going to war to come back with your shield or on it. As adults, Spartan women had considerable freedom, especially in running the family estates when their husbands were on active military service. Such freedom surprised men from other Greek city-states. This was particularly true of Athens, where women were expected to remain out of sight and quietly raise children. 31Spartans showed their strength during the Persian Wars

32

Greek wealth & innovation made it a target to outside invasion; From 493 B.C. to 479 B.C., Persian kings Darius & Xerxes tried (but failed) to conquer the Greeks in the Persian Wars 33The Persian WarsPersia: governed large area including Ionian (Greek) city states in Asia Minor499 BC Ionians rebelled Athens helped Persians crushed cities490 BC Darius IBattle at MarathonBehind Themistocles: Greeks defeat Persians480 BC Xerxes invades Battle at Thermopylae Leonidas last standPersians eventually win, burn AthensDefeated at sea during Battle at SalamisResult: Athens emerges as the most powerful city- state Athens leads Delian Leaguecreated for an alliance against Persia Used money contributions to rebuild city

Age of Pericles = Golden Age of Athens460- 429 BC Golden AgePericles: statesman, overall economy thrived and society became more democraticDirect democracy: citizens take place in day to day affairs of government Began to pay stipend: fixed salaryEnabled poor men to serveServed on juries: have final authority to make judgment at a trialOstracism: able to send away citizens/ public figures who threatened democracyCulture ThrivesWith help of Aspasia: Athens turned into cultural centerEncouraged arts through public festivals, dramatic competition

Which statue represents Sparta and which represents Athens? Explain.Women Athenian WomenCould own no property except their clothes, jewelry and slavesPurdah = separation of womenConfined to homes NO EDUCATIONMust be accompanied by a man outside houseSpartan WomenCould own property and were the head of the house and business. Men were forced into the military at age 7 and were rarely home giving women more freedom and power.ArtAthens: Art was encouraged and desirable Education focused heavily on the arts and Athenians produced much of the great art of the era.Sparta: Artistic expression was forbidden because it was believed to interfere with military business EducationAthens:Girls educated at home6-7 boys: taught at home7 to 14: neighborhood school Subjects taught: drama, public speaking, rhetoric, reading, writing, math, science, philosophy, athletics and music. Sparta: Trained for warfare Began training at age of sevenLived in army barracks most their livesRespected strength, discipline and equalityForbade luxuriesEconomyAthens: Overseas trade, commerce Traded for foodCreated overseas colonies

Sparta: Agriculture basedWere against trade namely to prevent cultural diffusionSlaves called Helots worked the landSlaveryAthens: had slaves who were usually captured in war or just people who owed money.

Sparta: The Spartans enslaved the Helots who were the early settlers of Peloponnesus. They outnumbered the Spartans and fear of them revolting is what encouraged Spartan society to become a military state.

Athens & Sparta competed for influence in Greece & developed a strong rivalry that eventually led to the Peloponnesian War

Sparta defeated Athens, but the war weakened the Greeks The Peloponnesian WarSparta formed Peloponnesian League to rival Delian League431 BC: War between Athens and Sparta, lasted 27 yearsSpartan army able to dominate AthensMany moved inside city walls, but died due to plagueSparta allied itself with Persia, but would not burn down AthensAthenian dominance endedMacedonia would begin to rise as next most important city state

Philosophers of Ancient GreecePhilosopher: Lovers of wisdomExplored logic: rational thinkingThrough reason and observation they could discover laws that governed universeSophists questioned accepted ideasDevelop rhetoric: skills in public speaking

Socrates Questions TraditionAthenian stonemason and philosopherSocratic Method: pose a series of questions to a student and challenge them to examine answer The unexamined life is not worth living. Know ThyselfHelped find truth and knowledgePut on trial for corrupting the cities youth, forced to drink deadly poison

PlatoSocrates studentEstablished school called the AcademyWrote the Republic in which he professes his ideas of for a perfect society.State should regulate every aspect of lifeThree classesWorkers, soldiers and philosophers with a philosopher king having right to rule

Aristotle Platos studentFavored a single, strong virtuous rulerEstablished the idea of a Constitution and scientific work- Classification of living things and the Earth is a fixed object in the skyPursue the golden mean Left writings on politics, ethics, logic, biology, literature

Philosophers Socrates, Plato, & Aristotle questioned assumptions & the use of logic to find answers to questions

Later became teacher to Alexander the Great48In 338 B.C., King Philip II of Macedonia attacked & conquered the Greeks, but he died soon after

Macedonians viewed themselves as Greeks & shared much of their culture; King Philip II hired Aristotle to tutor his son Alexander

49 King Alexander of Macedonia Alexander was only 20 years old when he became king of Macedonia:But he proved to be ambitious & a brilliant military strategistOnce in power, Alexander beganto expand his empire

The Empire of Alexander the GreatAlexander began his conquest by crushing a Greek revolt in Thebes; He ordered the death of 6,000 people & sold everyone else into slavery; His brutality convinced other Greeks to not rebelAlexander set his sights on the Persian Empire & began his attack by conquering Egypt; Egyptians viewed Alexander as a liberator 51

The Empire of Alexander the GreatIn 331 B.C., Alexander attacked & defeated the mighty Persian army led by King Darius IIIAlexander destroyed the capital of Persepolis Alexander led his army to conquer India; After taking the Indus River Valley, Alexanders troops threatened mutiny which led him to return home after 11 years away from their homes while conquering the empire 52

The Empire of Alexander the GreatBy 323 B.C., Alexander had conquered a massive empire & began plans to govern & unify his kingdom, but he fell ill & died at the age of 32

By the spring of 323 B.C., Alexander and his army had reached Babylon. Restless as always, Alexander announced plans to organize and unify his empire. He would construct new cities, roads, and harbors and conquer Arabia. However, Alexander never carried out his plans. He became seriously ill with a fever and died a few days later. He was just 32 years old.53

Alexander left behind an important legacy: He spread Hellenic (Greek) innovations & culture throughout his empire In each territory he conquered, Alexander left behind a Greek-styled city named Alexandria.Established libraries in these cities.54

Alexandria in Egypt was the most significant of these cities & best represented Hellenism (the spread & blending of Greek culture )Alexandria became the center for Hellenistic culture & trade for the Mediterranean world Alexandria had a museum & library that preserved Greek, Egyptian, Persian, Indian cultures & attracted scholars for centuries

55Alexandria Egypt

When Alexander died without an heir, his empire was divided among his top 3 generalsAlexander's empire was the largest of the classical era, but it was short-lived (13 years) & was never unified or governedSummary of Alexander the Great:He was a military genius & well educatedHis interest in Greek history & culture as well as Persian, Egyptian, & Indian ideas led to a vibrant new culture, Hellenism, that shapedfuture civilizationsBut, his empire did not last long enough to compete with future empires, such as those ruled by Rome and the Mongols

58Hellenistic Arts and SciencesNew PhilosophyZeno urged people to avoid desire and disappointments. Live in harmony with natural lawsAccept lifeStoics preached high moral standardsprotecting rights of fellow humansPythagoras right triangles (Pythagorean Theorem)Euclid The Elements: modern geometryAristarchus: heliocentric theory: sun- center universePtolemy: geocentric theory: earth-center universeArchimedes: physics: Give me a lever long enough and I will move the world.Hippocrates: Oath for doctors