Ancient GreeceAncient Greece

The Birthplace of DemocracyThe Birthplace of Democracy

Importance of Ancient Greek Importance of Ancient Greek CivilizationsCivilizations

Led to the development of Western Led to the development of Western Civilization in Europe and AmericaCivilization in Europe and America

Made outstanding contributions to Made outstanding contributions to mathematics, science, art, literature, mathematics, science, art, literature, philosophy, and government.philosophy, and government.

Geography of GreeceGeography of Greece Greece is a mountainous Greece is a mountainous

peninsula about the size peninsula about the size of Louisiana. of Louisiana.

– The mountains The mountains caused small, caused small, independent independent communities (city-communities (city-states) to form.states) to form.

Greek islands around the Greek islands around the mainland, especially in the mainland, especially in the Aegean Sea.Aegean Sea.

Since Greece has many good natural ports, many Greeks Since Greece has many good natural ports, many Greeks became seafarers sailing the Aegean, Black, and became seafarers sailing the Aegean, Black, and Mediterranean Seas.Mediterranean Seas.

The Minoan CivilizationThe Minoan Civilization By 2800 BC, the By 2800 BC, the Minoan civilizationMinoan civilization (after (after

King Minos) developed on the island of King Minos) developed on the island of Crete. Crete.

The capital was The capital was KnossosKnossos.. The Minoans grew wealthy from trade The Minoans grew wealthy from trade

between Egypt and Greece.between Egypt and Greece. Around 1450 BC, the Minoan civilization was Around 1450 BC, the Minoan civilization was

destroyed by tidal wave from the volcanic destroyed by tidal wave from the volcanic explosion of Thera, and by invasions of the explosion of Thera, and by invasions of the Mycenians.Mycenians.

The city-states of Greece:The city-states of Greece:Reasons for city-statesReasons for city-states

Cities were separated by Cities were separated by mountains and mountains and bodies of waterbodies of water which kept them from uniting which kept them from uniting into one country. The Greek term for a city-into one country. The Greek term for a city-state is a state is a polispolis..

Instead of one ruler for all of the city-states Instead of one ruler for all of the city-states together, the Greeks preferred having their together, the Greeks preferred having their own government in their own community.own government in their own community.

The main gathering place in Greek city-states The main gathering place in Greek city-states was a fortified hill top called an was a fortified hill top called an acropolisacropolis. . Below was the Below was the agoraagora, an open area for , an open area for people to assemble and for a market place.people to assemble and for a market place.

The First Greek City-State: The First Greek City-State: MycanaeMycanae

The The Mycanean civilizationMycanean civilization thrived from 1600 -1100 BC.thrived from 1600 -1100 BC.

The Mycaneans were a The Mycaneans were a confederation,confederation, a powerful a powerful alliance of several monarchies, alliance of several monarchies, each with city walls and a each with city walls and a tholostholos, bee-hive shaped tombs , bee-hive shaped tombs for the ruling family.for the ruling family.

The First Greek City-State: The First Greek City-State: Mycanae Mycanae (continued)(continued)

The Mycaneans were a warrior culture. The Mycaneans were a warrior culture. The epics by The epics by HomerHomer, , The IlliadThe Illiad and and The The OdysseyOdyssey, tell of Mycaenae’s war with Troy., tell of Mycaenae’s war with Troy.

After the fall of Mycanae was After the fall of Mycanae was Greek’s Dark Greek’s Dark AgeAge with no great cities rising up for with no great cities rising up for another 100 years.another 100 years.

Dark Age: 1100 to 750 BCDark Age: 1100 to 750 BC Collapse of Mycenean Collapse of Mycenean

Civilization led to a drop in food Civilization led to a drop in food production and populationproduction and population

There are few records from this There are few records from this time. Since historians do not time. Since historians do not know much about it, it’s known know much about it, it’s known as the “Dark Age”as the “Dark Age”

Iron replaced bronzeIron replaced bronze Adopted the Phoenecian Adopted the Phoenecian

alphabetalphabet Many Greeks left the mainland Many Greeks left the mainland

and went abroadand went abroad

The city-state of The city-state of SpartaSparta

Warrior cultureWarrior culture Spartan soldiers were called Spartan soldiers were called hopliteshoplites Soldiers fought in a military formation Soldiers fought in a military formation

called the called the phalanxphalanx

The city-state of Sparta The city-state of Sparta 25,000 Spartan citizens had defend themselves 25,000 Spartan citizens had defend themselves

against a revolt by 500,000 “helots.”against a revolt by 500,000 “helots.”• HelotsHelots were people who had been taken were people who had been taken

prisoner during war and forced into slavery.prisoner during war and forced into slavery. Helots farmed the soil and were forced to Helots farmed the soil and were forced to

give part of their crops to their master. This give part of their crops to their master. This angered the slaves and led to occasional angered the slaves and led to occasional rebellions.rebellions.

Once a year, Spartans declared war on the Once a year, Spartans declared war on the helots, thereby giving them an excuse to kill helots, thereby giving them an excuse to kill suspected troublemakers.suspected troublemakers.

The city-state of Sparta The city-state of Sparta (continued)(continued)

Boys were trained for the army beginning at age Boys were trained for the army beginning at age 77.. Instead of learning to read and write, time was spent Instead of learning to read and write, time was spent

jumping, running, wrestling, and using a weapon.jumping, running, wrestling, and using a weapon. Men Men between 20 and 30between 20 and 30 became became cadetscadets who policed who policed

the country and kept the helots under control.the country and kept the helots under control. At age At age 3030, a man was given the rights of a , a man was given the rights of a citizencitizen, ,

including the right to hold office, attend meetings, and including the right to hold office, attend meetings, and get married.get married.

Military careers ended at age Military careers ended at age 6060, whereupon a Spartan , whereupon a Spartan took a public service job or helped train the young.took a public service job or helped train the young.

0 7 30 60 75

Spartan Women Spartan Women

The women of Sparta lived a much freer life The women of Sparta lived a much freer life than women elsewhere.than women elsewhere.

Along with boys, Spartan women went away to Along with boys, Spartan women went away to school at ageschool at age 7 7 to learn survival skills, to learn survival skills, wrestling, and gymnasticswrestling, and gymnastics

Returned home at Returned home at 1818 to marry and raise a to marry and raise a familyfamily

Women were also allowed to own businesses Women were also allowed to own businesses and property – and property – they owned more than 1/3 of they owned more than 1/3 of Spartan propertySpartan property

Spartan GovernmentSpartan Government

Government was an Government was an oligarchyoligarchy, a , a government ruled by a small group of government ruled by a small group of peoplepeople

Ruled by Ruled by 2 kings2 kings5 ephors5 ephors overlooked education and the overlooked education and the

conduct of citizensconduct of citizens

The city-state of AthensThe city-state of Athens

Athens was a Athens was a democracydemocracy in which in which people took part in the government.people took part in the government.

CleisthenesCleisthenes – created a – created a councilcouncil of 500 to of 500 to supervise foreign affairs, oversee the supervise foreign affairs, oversee the treasury, and propose lawstreasury, and propose laws

This council was the foundation of This council was the foundation of Athenian democracyAthenian democracy

Athenian GovernmentAthenian Government The The AssemblyAssembly, which made the laws, , which made the laws, included all included all

adult male citizensadult male citizens.. The Assembly met once a week.The Assembly met once a week. Male citizens Male citizens took turns being government officialstook turns being government officials

who were responsible organizing the cities defenses, who were responsible organizing the cities defenses, keeping up the food supply, and maintaining public keeping up the food supply, and maintaining public buildings.buildings.

Male citizens also Male citizens also sat on juriessat on juries during court trials. during court trials. Citizens enjoyed Citizens enjoyed freedom of speechfreedom of speech, including the , including the

right to criticize their leaders.right to criticize their leaders. Women, slaves, and foreignersWomen, slaves, and foreigners were not given the were not given the

rights given to male citizens.rights given to male citizens.

The city-state of Athens The city-state of Athens

Unlike the people of Sparta, Athenians Unlike the people of Sparta, Athenians were very much interested in art, were very much interested in art, literature, mathematics, and philosophy.literature, mathematics, and philosophy.

Public buildings were beautifully Public buildings were beautifully designed; homes were small and plain.designed; homes were small and plain.

People gathered in the marketplace to People gathered in the marketplace to visit and discuss daily news.visit and discuss daily news.

The city-state of Athens The city-state of Athens (continued)(continued)

AthleticsAthletics were important to the were important to the Athenians.Athenians.

Sports helped develop strength and Sports helped develop strength and coordination.coordination.

Athletes from all over Greece competed Athletes from all over Greece competed every four years in various sporting events every four years in various sporting events at Olympia. This led to the present-day at Olympia. This led to the present-day Olympic Games.Olympic Games.

Winners of Olympic events became heroes Winners of Olympic events became heroes throughout Greece.throughout Greece.

The city-state of Athens The city-state of Athens (continued)(continued)

The prisoners of war were used as The prisoners of war were used as slaves, a common practice in countries slaves, a common practice in countries of the ancient Near East.of the ancient Near East.

Women had different roles than men.Women had different roles than men. Their place was in the home caring for Their place was in the home caring for

children.children. They could not be government officials or They could not be government officials or

members of the Assembly.members of the Assembly. Women did not go to school and were not Women did not go to school and were not

taught to read and write.taught to read and write.

The city-state of Athens The city-state of Athens (continued)(continued)

Temples were built to honor the gods, Temples were built to honor the gods, although religion did not influence although religion did not influence people’s lives as much as with other people’s lives as much as with other civilization.civilization.

Athens developed a civilization that was Athens developed a civilization that was far ahead of other civilizations on earth far ahead of other civilizations on earth at the time.at the time.

Greek Greek ColoniesColonies

The seafaring The seafaring

and trade of and trade of

the Greek the Greek

city-states led to the development of trading city-states led to the development of trading posts and colonies throughout the posts and colonies throughout the Mediterranean world. Mediterranean world.

Many of these colonies developed in Ionia, Many of these colonies developed in Ionia, (western Turkey). The land was then (western Turkey). The land was then under the rule of the Persian Empire.under the rule of the Persian Empire.

War with War with PersiaPersia

In 499 BC, the In 499 BC, the Ionian GreekIonian Greek cities in western Asia Minor cities in western Asia Minor revolted against the Persian revolted against the Persian ruler ruler DariusDarius..

The Persians defeated the The Persians defeated the Ionian Greeks and attacked Ionian Greeks and attacked the Greece.the Greece.

In 490 BC the In 490 BC the Persians were Persians were defeated at the Battle of defeated at the Battle of MarathonMarathon, only 26 miles from , only 26 miles from Athens.Athens.

The Persian king The Persian king XerxesXerxes led led a massive invasion of a massive invasion of Greece, but the Greece, but the Greeks Greeks united to defeat the Persians united to defeat the Persians in 479 BC.in 479 BC.

The Growth of AthensThe Growth of Athens Delian League Delian League - a defensive alliance that - a defensive alliance that

allowed Athens to create an empire.allowed Athens to create an empire. 461 – 429 BC is known as the 461 – 429 BC is known as the Age of PericlesAge of Pericles Athens developed into a direct democracy. Athens developed into a direct democracy.

Every male citizen could vote on every issue. Every male citizen could vote on every issue. Athenians developed Athenians developed ostracismostracism to protect to protect

themselves against ambitious politicians. themselves against ambitious politicians. If 6,000 people voted so, a person was banned If 6,000 people voted so, a person was banned

from the city for 10 years.from the city for 10 years. The Age of Pericles is also called The Age of Pericles is also called Athens' Athens'

Golden AgeGolden Age because of the wealth, because of the wealth, architecture, and philosophy that developed.architecture, and philosophy that developed.

Peloponnesian WarPeloponnesian War

Individual city-states Individual city-states competed for powercompeted for power

SpartaSparta and its allies and its allies feared the Athenian feared the Athenian Empire as Empire as AthensAthens was the most was the most powerful city-state.powerful city-state.

Both Sparta and Both Sparta and Athens had the help Athens had the help of other city-states.of other city-states.

Peloponnesian War: Opponents Peloponnesian War: Opponents

SpartaSparta had the strongest army had the strongest army..AthensAthens had the best navy and the most had the best navy and the most

moneymoney..

Greek Trireme

Important events of the Important events of the Peloponnesian WarPeloponnesian War

When the war began, a plague struck When the war began, a plague struck Athens and killed 1 out of every 4 Athens and killed 1 out of every 4 people.people.

– Athens' leader Pericles died of the Athens' leader Pericles died of the plague.plague.

After 27 years of fighting, Athens’ navy After 27 years of fighting, Athens’ navy was captured and the city was starved was captured and the city was starved until it surrendered. until it surrendered.

Results of the Peloponnesian WarResults of the Peloponnesian War

Thousands of Greeks were killed and Thousands of Greeks were killed and wounded, and the destruction of property wounded, and the destruction of property was widespread.was widespread.

The war weakened the power of Greek The war weakened the power of Greek city-states and led to a power struggle city-states and led to a power struggle among Athens, Sparta, and Thebesamong Athens, Sparta, and Thebes

MacedoniansMacedonians Northern neighbors to GreeceNorthern neighbors to Greece Philip IIPhilip II led the Macedonians to defeat Greece at led the Macedonians to defeat Greece at

the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BCthe Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great – 20 years old when he – 20 years old when he

became king of Macedoniabecame king of Macedonia Entered Asia minor and took overEntered Asia minor and took over

Persia, Syria, Palestine, and EgyptPersia, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt Sought to imitate Achilles, warrior-heroSought to imitate Achilles, warrior-hero

in Homer’s in Homer’s IlliadIlliad

Alexander the Great

Alexander (356 BC –323 BC) was one of the most successful military commanders in history, and was undefeated in battle. By the time of his death, he had conquered most of the world known to the ancient Greeks

Helenistic AgeHelenistic Age

After Alexander’s death, 4 kingdoms After Alexander’s death, 4 kingdoms emerged: Macedonia, Syria, Pergamum, emerged: Macedonia, Syria, Pergamum, EgyptEgypt

Cultural diffusionCultural diffusion – spread Greek culture – spread Greek culture as far as Afghanistan and Indiaas far as Afghanistan and India

Culture in the Helenistic AgeCulture in the Helenistic Age

Alexandria, Egypt had the largest library in Alexandria, Egypt had the largest library in ancient timesancient times

Closely calculated Earth’s circumferenceClosely calculated Earth’s circumference Euclid and Archimedes developed geometry and Euclid and Archimedes developed geometry and

the value of pithe value of pi New philosophic movementsNew philosophic movements

Epicurianism – happiness, freedom from worry and Epicurianism – happiness, freedom from worry and emotional turmoil, was the goal of lifeemotional turmoil, was the goal of life

Stoicism – happiness could only come from inner Stoicism – happiness could only come from inner peace by living in harmony with the will of Godpeace by living in harmony with the will of God

ConclusionConclusion

Ancient Greece is often called the Ancient Greece is often called the birthplace of western civilization. Even birthplace of western civilization. Even though the Greeks were defeated by the though the Greeks were defeated by the Macedonians, Alexander adopted Greek Macedonians, Alexander adopted Greek ways and spread Greek culture throughout ways and spread Greek culture throughout the Middle East.the Middle East.