THE RISE OF THE GREECE B.C.E.

The Influence of Geography on Ancient Greek Civilization Small, mountainous peninsula Plains cut off from each other with rivers and high mountains Development of small communities cut off from each other  emergence of polis (city-state), fiercely independent, constant wars of fratricide Sea is important, natural harbors

The Polis Urban center and its rural territory Acropolis ‘the top of the city’ Agora, ‘the gathering place’, the market Fortified Walls Public Buildings No sharp distinction between urban and rural inhabitants Eventually over 1000 polis in ancient Greek World Particularism: Community of citizens who shared a common identity and goals Citizens with political rights (adult males) Citizens with no political rights (women and children) Non-citizens (slaves and resident aliens)

Colonization Greeks sent excess population to colonies in the Mediterranean and Black Sea- mid 800-mid 600 B.C.E. Not enough resources to support them in Greek Mainland Brought Greeks in contact with other peoples (barbaroi-barbarians) with new ideas Sharpened sense of Greek identity –Pan- Hellenism Spurred invention of coins in Lydia during the sixth century B.C.E. Increased trade and industry More efficient record keeping and storage of wealth 2 Problems emerged 1. Wealthy social class- non-citizen artisans and traders 2. Ordinary farmers fell into debt servitude

Sparta Polis in the Peloponnese in southern Greece Sparta took over fertile land of Messenia and enslaved the people to feed themselves Fear of slave uprising caused Spartans to create a severe and highly militarized society in which all Spartan males trained for the army.

Spartan State Oligarchy Two kings- military leaders Ephors- 5 men, elected annually, responsible for education of youth and citizen conduct Council of elders- 2 kings +28 citizens over 60 decided over matters to be presented to the assembly Assembly- all male citizens, did not debate, but voted on the issues put before it by the council of elders Isolationalist foreign policy, military state, discouraged arts, philosophy ect.

Athens Very large hinterland allowed for a population for about 300,000 in 5th cen. B.C.E. 7th cen. B.C.E- monorachy replaced by oligarchy: aristocrats controlled politics by Council of Nobles and Board of 9 Archons. Assembly of full citizens had few members Political crisis at the end of 7th cen. B.C.E.- farmers sold into slavery 594 B.C.E. Solon’s reforms Canceled all debt No land redistribution Outlawed Athenian citizens from becoming slaves Period of rule by tyrants in 6th cen. B.C.E. Pisistratus seized power in 560 B.C.E. Cleisthenes, aristocratic reformer – 508 B.C.E. -set up a Council of 500- supervised foreign affairs, treasury, proposed laws to be voted by the assembly Assembly- all male citizens- has the final authority in passing the laws after free and open debate

Second Persian War 480 B.C.E- Xerxes led large army and fleet against Greeks Many Greek city-states submitted to his domination. Sparta organized Hellenic League to defeat Persians Thermopylae- 300 Spartans Athens organized Delian League (477 B.C.E) to go on offensive and drove Persians out of eastern Mediterranean (except Cyprus) Battle of Salamis and Battle of Platea

The Height of Athenian Power ( B.C.E) Growth of an Athenian Empire Imperial power because of Dalian League formed initially as a defensive alliance against Persians Power based on Athenian navy Created trireme- 170 oar board Lower-class men were rowers Because the rowers were so important, they demanded the full rights of citizenship. Used power to Carry out profitable trade Exact tribute from subject states Wealth of Athens allowed it construct massive public words projects, put on grand festivals and support arts and sciences

Athenian Slaves Imported foreigners, mostly from Thrace, as slaves 1/3 of the population Fundamental to freedom of Athenian citizens Athenians invented ‘chattel slavery’- slaves treated as commodity, bought and sold on the slave market Only 12 societies in the world performed this kind of slavery including the U.S. Average family owned 1 or more slaves Worst job: working in silver mines, best job: slaves owned by the city performed clerical work, mostly domestic servants Provided males with time for political activity

Women in Ancient Greece In Sparta- women free and outspoken Spartan marriages- women lived separate from husbands In Athens- women confined and oppressed Athenian marriages- young women to older men Duties of wife- produce and raise children, weave cloth, cook, clean

As a conclusion, Ancient Greek Civilisation became an example for whole world. And they created a popular ideology for these days... DEMOCRACY