Chapter 8 The Ancient Greeks

Chapter 8 The Ancient Greeks

Chapter 8-1 - The Rise of City-StatesThe largest Greek peninsula is the Peloponnesian Peninsula.Peninsula a piece of land surrounded by water on 3 sides.

A Rugged LandMainland Greece is divided by mountain ranges. In between the ranges are narrow valleys and small plains. Good for sheep and goats but too rocky for farming. Mountains created lowland communities. They were very independent Greeks, never unitingunder one government. The Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea, & Ionian Sea helped Greeks become skillful sailors and merchants.

Early Greek HistoryMinoans were highly advanced. Writing system & built huge stone palaces with running water- palaces and towns mysteriously disappeared in 1450 B.C. Historians believe mainland Greeks had something to do with the destruction.

- The Mycennaean civilization developed in 1600 B.C.

Early Greek History (continued)Mycenaean towns were ruled by a monarchy government headed by a king. Lived in stone fortresses on hilltops overlooking their towns. Created bronze weapons and potteryTraded those goods for copper, ivory, and luxury goods from other lands. Mycenaean kingdoms eventually became weak and in 1100 B.C. they were destroyed by newcomers from the north known as Dorians

The Dark Ages 1100BC to 750BCGreek culture declined after the fall of the Mycenaeans and people lost the ability to read and write. Mainland Greeks migrated across the Aegean Sea settling on the islands and west coast of Asia Minor. (eventually became known as Ionia). People still spoke Greek and passed stories down orally. Geometric designs on potteryBecomes more elaborate over timeEventually incorporates living creatures (birds, horses) Human figures appear around 750

The Trojan WarLegend of the Trojan WarMycenaean kingdoms sailed across the Aegean Sea to Troy, a city in Asia Minor.The 10 year conflict ended when the Greeks tricked the Trojans into accepting a gift of a large wooden horse.Greeks hiding the horse crept out and opened the city gate. The Greek army entered and burned the city of Troy down. For hundreds of years the war was sung about and stories were told. 700BC. Greeks develop an alphabet based on the Pheonician alphabet.

HomerHomer was a poet that shaped the stories of the Trojan War into a long epic poem, the Iliad, which was eventually written down. The Iliad tells of events during the war but stops between the Greeks victory. The Odyssey shaped Greek culture. Students learned verses by heartValues like courage, bravery, strength, and honor were ideals that all Greeks tried to live up to. Like those described in Homers stories.

Emergence of City-StatesGreek communities began to organize into a polis a city-stateCreated everywhere Greeks settledGovernment of a PolisRuled over a wide area (its city and surrounding villages and countryside)Marketplace and government center was in each polisCitizens members of a city-state that had legal rightsPopulation of a polis was typically small All citizens of the polis would gather together to make decisions

The High CityTypical polis was built on two levelsAcropolis high city Public buildings and temples were located in the acropolisLower ground homes, shops, farms

Government and PoliticsPolitics the art and practice of governmentEach city-state had a different kind of governmentIn early times a polis was governed by an aristocracy a hereditary class of rules However, in some city-states, people began to govern themselves. Self-governmentCitizens ruled instead of priests and kings

Social Class SystemCitizens could voteWomen and foreigners could not voteSlaves few rights

The polis was the framework of a Greeks life.Greeks believed that a good citizen shouldalways be willing to sacrifice for his city.

Chapter 8-2 Greek Economy and SocietyWomen in Ancient GreeceRole: worked outdoors on farms or sold goods in marketsAthenian women women from rich families stayed home while men were a part of public life. Women also supervised the household, raised the children, kept track of money and spending, and managed the slaves. Made the meals and clothing for the family. Status: lower than menRights:Athenian women had very little rightsSpartan women could sell property, were educated and trained in sports.

The AristocracyRoles: Kings, gods, people of other higher status in society (political leaders)Status:Highest status in society below gods and kings. Owned large plots of landLots of free time for leisure activities. Rights:Could hold political office

CitizensRole:MenFarmers who owned large areas of landSmall tenant farmersStatus:Large tenant farmers held higher statusSmall tenant farmers held lower social statusRights:All citizens had the right to vote

Foreign-bornRoles:merchants, artisansStatus:Above slaves below citizensRights:More rights than slaves

SlavesRoles:Complete hard work in homes and or fieldsPrisoners of war or sold by their familiesStatus:Lowest statusRights:none

Chapter 9-3 Ancient Greek Beliefs and ArtsGreeks practiced polytheism belief in many gods or dieties. Deities beings with supernatural powersGreek gods looked and behaved like human beingsGreeks expressed their religious beliefs in their mythology.Mythology is a collection of myths or stories that people tell about their gods and heroes.

Greek gods and goddessesZuesFather of the many other gods; bringer of storms; god of justiceHeraWife of Zues and queen of the gods; goddess of marriageAthenaDaughter of Zues; goddess of wisdom and protector of citiesApolloGod of prophecy, music, and poetry; god of lightArtemisTwin sister of Apollo; goddess of hunting and childbirthPoseidonBrother of Zues; god of the seaAresGod of warAphroditeGoddess of love and beautyHermesMessenger of the gods; patron of merchants; protector of travelersDemeterGoddess of agriculture and the harvestHephaestusGod of fire and of craft workersHestiaGoddess of the hearth

Greek Religion and LifeGods were honored with public and private religious ritualsPublic meetings began with prayers and animal sacrificesFamilies would maintain shrines where they would honor their favorite gods or goddesses. Temples were built in each city-stateOn holy days, citizens made sacrifices in front of the gods temples.Offered gold, cakes and wine, or prized animals such as bullsThey would ask the gods favors such as good crops or good health.

Athletic ContestsSome religious festivals also included athletic contestsBoxing, wrestling, runningWanted to display their skill and strength to honor the gods.

Most famous sporting events The OlympicsHonored ZuesTook place every four yearsDuring the games, all conflicts between city-states would stop. Travelers from all over came to attend the gamesThe festival took place at Olympia Winners became famous or celebritiesSuccessful athletes were rewarded with privilege and fame, not money

Sacred SitesGreeks considered groves of trees, springs, and other places to be sacred because they were home to a god or spiritMt. OlympusHome to major godsDelphiContains the holy temple of Apollo. Housed Apollos priestess Delphic oracleSomeone who predicts the futurePeople would travel from all over Greece to ask questions about their future

Arts of Ancient GreeceArchitectureDoric order

Ionic order* Corinthian order

Before DemocracyOligarchyType of government in which power is within the hands of a small group of people like the aristocrats. Headed by a council of leaders Draco famous leader that created a legal code that specified harsh punishmentsDraconian is used today to describe harsh laws

Before DemocracyPhalanxAs time progressed, power began to shift into the hands of more people. This may have happened because of the way the Greek armies were organized. 700 B.C. phalanx was introducedA formation of heavily armed foot soldiers who moved together as a unit. Usually lined up to form a row of overlapping shields. Shield was held in left hand, sword in right hand. Used to protect neighborFighters in a phalanx didnt have to be rich because they were foot soldiers didnt need a horse

Before DemocracyTyrannyTyrants strong leaders Did not allow others to play a significant part in governmentIn Greece, many governed fairly and worked to improve life for ordinary people. Many tyrants find they are unable to fulfill their promisesUsually members of the aristocracyTyrannies governments run by a strong ruler

Power of the PeopleDemocracyAs tyrannies faded, democracy came to head rule by the people594BCSolon chosen to lead the polisHe reformed the courtsEnd the practice of selling poor people who could not pay their debts into slaveryGave some non-aristocratic men the right to vote.508BCCleisthenes gained power in AthensSeveral reforms that reduced the power of the richIncreased the number of people that could voteIncreased the power of the assembly (law making body of government)461BCCitizen juries createdJury group of people who hear evidence and decide a court caseThis new system put the power of making legal decisions in the hands of the people.

Power of the PeoplePericles450BCPaid citizens for participating in jury service and other civic duties, which helped poor people take a part in government. Gave a speech in 431 BC in which he explained how democratic values made Athens more uniqueCitizenshipMembership in a communityGives people rights and responsibilitiesGreeks gave ordinary people the right to help make government decisions.

Athenian Democracy at WorkThe AssemblyMain political body AthensAll free adult male citizens could attendMeetings took place 40 times a yearEveryone who attended had the right to speakThe Boule500 person councilHelped decide which issues should go to the Assembly. Members were chosen at randomThe CourtsMany different courts with different types of casesJuries decided cases by majority voteJuries then were much larger with hundreds to thousands of people

A Limited DemocracyWomen could not voteForeigners could not be citizensSlaves had no rightsDirect democracy citizens participate directly in decision makingLess practical in large nations like United StatesRepresentative democracies citizens elect others to represent them in governmentModern democracies share the Athenian ideal of rule by the people.

Oligarchy in SpartaAthens was a city near the coast, making Athenians great a sea trade and warfare. Sparta was quite the opposite, being an inland city-state. Sparta was ruled by two kings, in which the kings were considered to be the military leaders. Sparta had a population of about 9000 people while Athens was much larger with about 45000 people.

Spartan AssemblyAthens was a democracy while Sparta was an oligarchy. Spartan assembly had much less power than Athenians. It could pass laws, but the council had to approve them. The assembly elected ephors who were responsible for the day to day operations of the government. They made sure the kings and council acted within the limits of Spartan law. They could also remove kings who broke the laws.

Military ConquestsSpartans conquered neighboring city-states like Messenia. The Messenians they conquered were forced to farm the land and turn over half the food they raised to Sparta. They were called helots. They were treated harshly and made to wear dogskin caps to show their low status. Spartan EducationAthenian boys were well-rounded in education. In Sparta, boys were taken from their families at age 7 to train for the military. Spent most of their time exercising, hunting, and training with weapons. They were taught to obey orders instead of learning to think for themselves. At age 18, boys began a 2 year military training to become part of a phalanx. They could get married during this time, but they were not allowed to spend a lot of time at home. Allowed to leave the army at age 30, but still spent most of their time with menSocial Classes & WomenWhen men left the school system, they had to pass a test to become a citizen in which they had to gain entry into a mens club of soldiers. If they failed, they were considered inferior and lived as outcasts. Men who won election to a mens club became known as equals in which they had all citizen rights. This included entry into the Assembly and the right to own a piece of land worked on by helots. Spartan women were much different than Athenian women who were expected to stay indoors and have few rights.Spartan women were raised to be strong. They participated in sports so they could stay fit to have healthy babies that would grow into good soldiers. Sparta & AthensThe discipline and training Spartans went through made them strong and powerful, but society as a whole feared individuality. They valued people who fit into society, not those that stood out. Due to this fact, Spartas oligarchy had very little change over time and society didnt change much. The rivalry between Sparta and Athens leads to war between the two city-states.