Classical Greece

City States Independent Fought each

other Oligarchies Many small

farmers in debt

Athens - Solon Followed period of

tyrants Archon – judge,

general, and administrator

Cancelled all debts Four classes

– Active participation in politics

Cleisthenes – 508 BCE All free men, age 18 and who owned

property, could vote and hold office. Assembly of 500

– 50 from each of 10 geographic areas of Athens

– All chosen by lottery Power to impeach

Persian Wars 500 to 479 BCE Persians conquered

Ionia, then headed towards Athens

Battle of MarathonGreek Phalanx

Outnumbered 2 to 1

Phalanx Hoplite Greeks win

Battle of ThermopylaeSpartan Bravery

300 Spartans 700 Thespians stayed too King Leonidas

Battle of Salamis Themistocles “Wall of Wood” Trireme

Delian League Persian threat pulled Greeks together Sparta won the war but… Athens rose to the top Used navy to promote trade and

boost economy Athens was paid to “protect” other

city-states

Pericles Participation in

government is a right and a responsibility

All citizens are equal in the eyes of the law

The Funeral Oration

Golden Age477 – 431 BCE

“A summit of civilization never before reached by the human race.”

Art, sculpture, literature, drama, architecture all attained new heights.

History turned to toward men and away from gods.

Peloponnesian War431 – 404 BCE

Jealousy Sparta and Athens

went to war Plague struck

Athens Sparta won

What’s next? Peloponnesian War

left Greece weakened and split

Of course, nobody will take advantage of this…

Except this guy…