The History of Ancient Greece

The First Cultures of Greece

The First Cultures of Greece

The Minoans (3000 - 1100 BC): Lived on the island of Crete; palace dwellers who loved luxury, comfort, and Beauty. By 1600 BC, they were influencing all of greece through trade and colonization.

The Myceneans (1600 - 1200 BC): Palace dwellers who Lived on the greek mainland; defeated Troy in 1250 BC but by 1100 BC, their culture had disappeared completely.

The Minoans (3000 - 1100 BC): Lived on the island of Crete; palace dwellers who loved luxury, comfort, and Beauty. By 1600 BC, they were influencing all of greece through trade and colonization.

The Myceneans (1600 - 1200 BC): Palace dwellers who Lived on the greek mainland; defeated Troy in 1250 BC but by 1100 BC, their culture had disappeared completely.

The First cultures of greeceThe First cultures of greece

The dark age (1100 - 750 BC): No written history of this time but the dorians invaded greece during this era.

After the dark age (8th century): Greeks established major colonies in Sicily and southern italy; through trade, the greeks come in contact with the phoenicians (who lived in what is now Lebanon and Syria). The greeks adopted the phoenician alphabet and used it as the basis of their own; The polis, or city-state developed.

The dark age (1100 - 750 BC): No written history of this time but the dorians invaded greece during this era.

After the dark age (8th century): Greeks established major colonies in Sicily and southern italy; through trade, the greeks come in contact with the phoenicians (who lived in what is now Lebanon and Syria). The greeks adopted the phoenician alphabet and used it as the basis of their own; The polis, or city-state developed.

The Greco - Persian WarThe Greco - Persian War

In the 5th century BC, Athens and Sparta were the most powerful city-states. Together they resisted and defeated the Persians between 490 - 479 BC. The Athenians won the battle of Marathon and the naval battle of Salamis which helped them to defeat the persians.

In the 5th century BC, Athens and Sparta were the most powerful city-states. Together they resisted and defeated the Persians between 490 - 479 BC. The Athenians won the battle of Marathon and the naval battle of Salamis which helped them to defeat the persians.

Pericles and the Golden AgePericles and the Golden Age encouraged Citizen

participation in government

Built new public architecture and art

Added to the growth of the empire of greece

Caused resentment among other city-states, especially with sparta, because of his power and ability

encouraged Citizen participation in government

Built new public architecture and art

Added to the growth of the empire of greece

Caused resentment among other city-states, especially with sparta, because of his power and ability

The Peloponnesian WarThe Peloponnesian War Tension increased and Greece became

polarized between athens and sparta. The two city - states fight the Peloponnesian

war between 431 - 404 BC Sparta wins.

Tension increased and Greece became polarized between athens and sparta.

The two city - states fight the Peloponnesian war between 431 - 404 BC

Sparta wins.

Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great 356 - 323 BC Son of King Phillip of

Macedonia Called “the Great” due

to his military skills and strength

Spread greek language and culture throughout the territory now called Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and part of India.

356 - 323 BC Son of King Phillip of

Macedonia Called “the Great” due

to his military skills and strength

Spread greek language and culture throughout the territory now called Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and part of India.

Greek religion and godsGreek religion and gods Worshipped many

gods/goddesses Each god represented a

unique quality or power Gods/goddesses had

human - like qualities and faults

Greeks kept a personal relationship with their god/goddess and honored them with religious festivals

Olympic games first held in 776 BC were in honor of zeus, the king of the gods

Worshipped many gods/goddesses

Each god represented a unique quality or power

Gods/goddesses had human - like qualities and faults

Greeks kept a personal relationship with their god/goddess and honored them with religious festivals

Olympic games first held in 776 BC were in honor of zeus, the king of the gods

Greek LiteratureGreek Literature The Epic: Oral

poetry; Homer is the most famous Greek poet of epics; conveys values of physical bravery, skill, honor, reverence for gods, and intelligence

Lyric Poetry: meant “sung to the Lyre”; musical in quality; sappho is a famous greek lyricist.

The Epic: Oral poetry; Homer is the most famous Greek poet of epics; conveys values of physical bravery, skill, honor, reverence for gods, and intelligence

Lyric Poetry: meant “sung to the Lyre”; musical in quality; sappho is a famous greek lyricist.

Philosophy: Socrates = uncovered the truth by asking questionsplato = believed in perfect, unchanging forms in an imperfect worldAristotle = developed logic, zoology, psychology, and many other arts and sciences

Philosophy: Socrates = uncovered the truth by asking questionsplato = believed in perfect, unchanging forms in an imperfect worldAristotle = developed logic, zoology, psychology, and many other arts and sciences

Greek Drama Greek Drama Chronicled the

downfall of a noble person

Raised questions within the audience’s minds

Focused on justice, evil, and the reasons for human suffering

Aroused emotions of pity for the tragic hero

Was more emotional than philosophical

Chronicled the downfall of a noble person

Raised questions within the audience’s minds

Focused on justice, evil, and the reasons for human suffering

Aroused emotions of pity for the tragic hero

Was more emotional than philosophical