History of the GreeksHistory of the Greeks

Ancient Greece

Greek Aegean Civilization: A Greek Aegean Civilization: A Flexible ExistenceFlexible Existence

Minoan civilization from 2000-1450 Minoan civilization from 2000-1450 B.C.B.C.

Minoan Civilization is first complex Minoan Civilization is first complex civilization in Europecivilization in Europe

Advanced Art, architecture, Advanced Art, architecture, engineering at palaces on islandsengineering at palaces on islands

Palace at Knossis is best examplePalace at Knossis is best example Civilization mysteriously disappears Civilization mysteriously disappears

around 1450 B.C.around 1450 B.C.

Mycenean from 1200-800B.C.Mycenean from 1200-800B.C.

Trojan War between Greek City Trojan War between Greek City states and Troystates and Troy

Stories from the Stories from the Iliad Iliad and the and the OdysseyOdyssey evolve from this period evolve from this period

Wave of Dorian invasionsWave of Dorian invasions Greek Colonies formedGreek Colonies formed

Greek Archaic Period: A Creative, Greek Archaic Period: A Creative, Experimental Outlook from 800-500 Experimental Outlook from 800-500

B.C. on mainland GreeceB.C. on mainland Greece Evolved from colonies to city states, the highest Evolved from colonies to city states, the highest

form of political unity.form of political unity. Develop script for writing (Homer writes the Develop script for writing (Homer writes the IliadIliad

and the and the OdysseyOdyssey)) Art becomes unique (flexible, fluid, realistic, and Art becomes unique (flexible, fluid, realistic, and

creative)creative) Money begins to be coinedMoney begins to be coined A middle class resultsA middle class results Democracy begins to evolve as leaders and Democracy begins to evolve as leaders and

middle class demand a voicemiddle class demand a voice Women and slaves are not considered “citizens”Women and slaves are not considered “citizens” Olympics begin (776 B.C.)Olympics begin (776 B.C.)

The Greek Golden Ages form 500-The Greek Golden Ages form 500-100 B.C.: Search for the Ideal100 B.C.: Search for the Ideal

Greek Culture becomes united by:Greek Culture becomes united by: 1. Shared Language1. Shared Language 2. Shared polytheistic religion2. Shared polytheistic religion 3.Shared literature (many could 3.Shared literature (many could

recite Homer’s works)recite Homer’s works) 4. Shared sports ( the Olympics were 4. Shared sports ( the Olympics were

held to honor Zeus every four years)held to honor Zeus every four years) 5. Drama competitions (often won by 5. Drama competitions (often won by

Sophocles)Sophocles)

Greek Golden Ages continuedGreek Golden Ages continued 6. Interest in statecraft with open forum and 6. Interest in statecraft with open forum and

debatedebate 7. Interest in education7. Interest in education 8. A model for thinking philosophically: Plato and 8. A model for thinking philosophically: Plato and

AristotleAristotle 9. A great model of democratic leadership: 9. A great model of democratic leadership:

Pericles, the greatest Athenian democratic leader.Pericles, the greatest Athenian democratic leader. 10. Idealized Art included unmatched architecture 10. Idealized Art included unmatched architecture

and sculptures: Phidias was the greatest and sculptures: Phidias was the greatest architecture and sculptorarchitecture and sculptor

11. The Delian League: sea protection11. The Delian League: sea protection Note: the music, art, architecture, drama, Note: the music, art, architecture, drama,

philosophy of this Athenian Greek Culture sent philosophy of this Athenian Greek Culture sent the standards that we call “classic” today.the standards that we call “classic” today.

Why did Greek Unity Erode?Why did Greek Unity Erode?

Peloponnesian War between Athens Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta (431-404 B.C.)and Sparta (431-404 B.C.)

Philip of Macedonia defeats the Philip of Macedonia defeats the Athenians (Persian invasions)Athenians (Persian invasions)

Philip’s son, Alexander the Great, Philip’s son, Alexander the Great, follows and conquers much of the follows and conquers much of the known world. He spreads Greek known world. He spreads Greek culture, destroys Greek unityculture, destroys Greek unity

Alexander’s empire is split after his Alexander’s empire is split after his death, resulting in the Roman death, resulting in the Roman Empire.Empire.