1. Geography effects Greek Traditions and Customs Greece- Mountainous peninsula jutting out into Mediterranean sea. Lived around the sea Neighboring Seas were transportation routes connecting Greece to other societies since Greece lacked natural resources i.e. timber, metal, arable farmland Rugged terrain & mountains-3/4 of Greece dividing it into independent communities
2. Geography Effect on Social Life Little farmland and fresh water- Not able to support a large population Desire for more living space, grassland for livestock, farmland may have been factors which motivated Greeks to seek new sites for colonies Varied Climate- 48-80 degrees- Supported outdoor life such as leisure time, outdoor events, dicussions.
3. Mycenaean Civilization Developes Indo-Europeans migrated form Eurasian steppes to Greek mainland later known as Mycenaeans. Located in southern Greece surrounded by thick wall which could withstand almost any attack. Warrior-king ruled surrounding villages, farms, and city-states such as Athens.
4.
5.
6. Greek Culture Declines under the Dorians Soon after Trojan War, sea raiders attacked and burned Myc. cities. Soon, Dorians moved in- spoke dialect of Greek and may have been relatives of Bronze-Age Greeks Dorian rule caused economy, trade, and writing to come to a standstill. Thus little is known about these 400 years
7. Epics of Homer Oral tradition taught later Greeks during this time of illiteracy Blind man named Homer composed epics such as the Iliad which forms backdrop of the Trojan War. These give insight to Greek ideal of aretemeaning virtue and excellence Through myths, Greeks explained mysteries of nature and human passions.
8. Different forms of Government Emerge City-state or polis was the political unit in Greece which included surrounding countryside The agora or marketplace was on a fortified hilltop called an acropolis where citizens gathered to discuss politics Monarchy: Single person ruled government Aristocracy: inherited rule by small group of noble, land-owning families Oligarchy: ruled by few powerful/military people Tyrants: Nobles/ wealthy citizens seized control by appealing to citizens. Worked for interest of ordinary people
9. Athens Builds Limited Democracy Athenian reformers moved toward democracy, rule by the people. Citizens participated directly in political decision making. Draco- developed legal code based on idea that all people were under equal law regardless of wealth. Upheld debt slavery dealt harshly with criminals making death a common punishment.
10. Contributors to First Steps of Democracy Solon- Outlawed debt slavery organized citizens according to wealth. Only top 3 classes could hold political office but all could participate in assembly. Introduced concept that all citizens could bring charges against wrongdoers. Cleisthenes- Organized citizens into 10 groups based on location instead of wealth. Increased power of assembly by allowing citizens to submit laws for debate. Created Council of 500 which proposed laws and counseled assembly. Members were chosen by random. Reforms allowed Athenians to participate in limited democracy
11. Athenian Education Only sons of wealthy families received education starting at 7 years old to prepare them to be good citizens Studied grammar, poetry, history, math, music, public speaking, and logic training, and spent part of the day on athletics Girls stayed at home to learn how to be good wives and mothers. Some were able to read and write Had very little to do with life outside the home
12. Sparta Builds A Military State In southern Greek known as Peloponnesus, Sparta was cut off from the Greek world by the Gulf or Corinth Conquered neighboring Messenians who became helots, peasants forced to stay on the land they worked. Messenian revolt shocked the Spartans when they realized their vulnerability and decided change into a strong city-state.
13. Government and Daily Life Government Council Elders proposed laws which assembly voted on 2 Kings ruled over military Oligarchy Daily Life centered around military training Individuality discouraged Did not value arts Valued duty and discipline Girls receives some military training Were allowed to run family estates while men were at war
14. Persian Wars Phalanx invented- foot soldiers or hoplites stood side by side holding a spear and shield In 490 B.C. Greeks defeated Persians Pheidippides ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to deliver message of Persian defeat and then died Persians retreated when they found Athens heavily defended 10 years later, Darius’ son Xerxes went to Thermoplyae to fight 300 Spartans and 7000 Greeks. The Spartans sacrificed themselves for Greek forces to retreat
15. Persian Wars 2 Themistocles, an Athenian leader convinces Athens to evacuate and fight at sea near the island of Salamis. Greeks destroyed 1/3 of Persian fleet Battle of Plateau- Greeks again defeated Persians Delian League was formed a year later from city-stae alliances. They drove Persians from surrounding territories in Greece and ended threats of future attacks.
23. Drama 2 kinds, Tragedy and Comedy Aeschylus: was a famous writer who wrote Orestria which examines the idea of justice Sophicles: wrote Oedipus the King Euripedes: wrote Medea and included strong women. Comedy showed the freedom and openness of public discussion that existed in democratic Athens Aristophanes: wrote first great comedies
24. History Herodotus: pioneered accurate reporting of events and first considered work of history anout Persian Wars Thucydides studied past events to aid in the understanding of the present.
25. Peleponnesian War Ends Golden Age Athens had stronger navy while Sparta had stronger army Sparta burned Athens Pericles responded by bringing residents into city walls However, the plague struck and Pericles died War continues for year but eventually lead to a truce Soon after, Sparta destroyed Athens they surrendered
26. Philosophers Question Tradition War caused Athenians to lose confidence in democratic government and they begin to question their values Greek Philosophers base their thinking on: The Universe is put in an orderly way and subject to unchanging laws People can understand these laws through logic and reason Sophists were people who questioned traditional ideas Protagoras: Questioned existence of Greek Gods and said there was no universal standard of truth
27. Philosophers Socrates Said “the unexamined life is not worth living” Brought to trial for corrupting the youth and neglecting the city’s gods. Plato Student of Socrates Wrote The Republic about an ideal society Aristotle Invented scientific method and taught Alexander the Great Applied his beliefs in various fields
28. Alexander and Mycedonia Macedonians- lived in rough mountains north of greece King Philip 2nd transformed peasants to an army Mac. Defeated Greeks at the Battle of Chaeronea despite Demosthenes warnings After Philips murder, Alexander took over
29. Alexander Favorite book was the Iliad When the city of Thebes tried to rebel, Alexander destroyed the city and thus city-states gave up the idea of rebellion His victory at Granicus against Persian forces scared Darius the 3rd The following battle gave Alex the power over Anatolia After rejecting Darius’ peace offering, Alex marched to Egypt where he was crowned pharaoh and named liberator and founded Alexandria at the mouth of the Nile Alex’s victory at Gaugamela ended Persian power
30. Alexander’s conquest ends Led his army to Indus Valley but exhausted, the army begged to turn back After Alexander died of illness, his henerals fought over control and eventually the kingdom was split into its original, separate regions
31. The result of Greek and Eastern Blending The Hellenistic Culture- blending of Persian, Egyptian, and Indian influences The Koine language helped the diverse backgrounds to communicate Alexandria- foremost city of commerce Contained Alexander's tomb, library, art galleries, a zoo, gardens etc.
