Ancient Greece

How Did Geography Affect the Development of Greece? Sea: Greece is surrounded by water Sea trade provides the Greeks with resources (fish for food) Land: Mountains & islands make communication and travel difficult  as a result small separate city- states are formed (polis) Low populations & growth of colonies Good for defense  isolated Climate: Moderate climate that allows for outdoor lifestyle

Greek Colonies

Greek City-States I.Each city-state, or polis, had two levels Main city area Hill-top “acropolis” for gods II. Small populations III. Different city-states used different forms of government Monarchy= Aristocracy= Oligarchy= Democracy=

Athens: Today and Past

Democracy Democracy= government run by citizens Equal rights given to all citizens Citizen= adult males, both parents born in Athens Citizenship did not depend on wealth Trial by jury (200 people)

Artwork Pottery- made from iron tinted clay, red or black figures Four typical scenes: war, mythology, recreation, or domestic life Sculptures: – At first had rigid poses, but became more life-like (an idealized, perfect form) – Showed little expression

Architecture Emphasized symmetry, balance and order with clear straight lines Building designs included columns  3 main types – Corinthian – Ionian – Doric Cities included: – acropolis (temple area raised above city) – agora (marketplace)

Literature, Drama, & Poetry Mythology- stories about the gods & goddesses, explained natural events and human behavior Poetry- Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey (epic poems) Plays (Drama) – Comedies and tragedies – Used masks – Semi-circle theaters – Chorus narrates story – No female actors

Persian Wars Athens helped Ionian Colony rebel against Persians 490 BC King Darius wants revenge and attacks Athens Athens defeats the Persians at the Battle of Marathon King Xerxes (Darius’ son) attacks Greece 480BC Other city-states join Athens to fight Persians Greeks were victorious largely due to navy City-States formed alliance called Delian League to defend Greece Athens led the Delian League and used its money to rebuild Athens

300 Link

Peloponnesian Wars BC Other city-states resented Athen’s power and use of Delian League money Formed Peloponnesian League under leadership of Sparta 431 BC Sparta attacked Athens  cut off food supply by burning countryside People crowded inside city walls of Athens  Plague kills 1/3 population 404 BC Sparta defeated Athens with the help of Persia Athens declines

Greek Philosophers I. Socrates Asked why? Accused of not supporting democracy  believed Greece should be ruled by the wisest II. Plato Student of Socrates “The Republic”  Philosopher King Founded a school- The Academy III. Aristotle Teacher of Alexander the Great

Phillip II of Macedon King of Macedonia 338BC defeated the Greek city-states (weakened by Peloponnesian War) Assassinated in 336, before he could invade Persia

Alexander the Great Son of Philip, became king at 19 Set out to conquer Persian Empire His unstoppable military created a huge empire from Egypt to India Named cities after himself  Alexandria in Egypt 327, after 11 years of battling, Alexander troops refused to march further than India  Alex returned to his capital, Babylon 323 Alexander dies and his empire is divided Iron Maiden Link

Hellenistic Culture Hellenism= blending of Greek, Persian, & Indian culture Encouraged by Alexander – He and his generals married women of conquered areas – Adopted local customs (dress) and spread Greek culture – Cities built on Greek model (acropolis, theaters, Greek architecture) – Greek language spread – Trade thrived – Learning valued (universities, libraries, art, advances in math/science)

Hellenism

Cultural Diffusion Cultural Diffusion= the spread of ideas and products from one culture to another – Missionaries – Immigration – War – Trade – Marriage