Ancient and Classical Greek History Minoans Mycenaean's Greeks Alexander and the Hellenistic World

Geography of the Peloponnesus Uniform climate “Mediterranean Climate” Dry, rocky terrain Water access Access to Anatolia Planned agriculture Natural resource profile Drawn to the sea

The Emergence of Civilization: Minoan Civilization on Crete First European civilization to have complex political and social structures. Built monuments (such as Knossus) and created a strong central government. Used bronze metallurgy around 2000 B.C.E

An archaeological mystery Like Harappa and Mohenjo- Daro this script is undeciphered and holds the key to Minoan civilization. Archaeology has shown us a great deal through examinations of their pottery and places.

Minoan Art Customs revealed Painted on Frescoes Delight in beauty Pleasure with the natural world

Mycenaean Civilization Part of the Indo-European Migrations about 2000 B.C.E. Unlike Minoan, located on mainland Greece. Remained simple and static living in stone age conditions. Dramatic modernization about 1600 B.C.E (lasted until 1150 B.C.E)

Powerful Influence by Crete Borrowed architectural ideas Centralized economy Bureaucracy A style of writing (Linear B—which is deciphered) Writing was used by elites and is clearly a form of early Greek

An Organized Society Myceanae kept elaborate records of grain storage, textiles

Our best source of information? The Iliad and the Odyssey? Likely composed around 7oo B.C.E Out to prove the legends of the Trojan War: Heinrich Schliemann Mycenaean's versus Trojans Iliad: political challenges of Agamemnon in asserting control over a unified Greek force (and Achilles) Troy was indeed destroyed around 1200 B.C.E, largely over piracy and trade concerns.

The Odyssey Tells the story of Odysseus and his long journey home following the struggle with Troy. Reveals much about Greek values and characters. Reveals much about the relationship the Greeks had with religion

Overseas Commerce and Settlement Long distance interaction made possible by the Minoans and Mycenaean's strong sailing skills. Much evidence from surrounding civilizations about the tempo of cross cultural exchange—Egypt.

Commodities of the Mediterranean The Big Olive Wine Weapons Heavily reliant on importing food Metals to supplement weapons were heavily imported Wealthy horded items Piracy?

Aegean Conclusions Much of what makes about classical Greece can be traced to the roots of the civilizations that preceeded it. They seemed to obtain their keen intellectual roots from the Minoans, and their heroic emphasis on war from the Mycenaean culture.

The Rise of the Polis Greek geography dictated a staggering amount of diversity. They will not be a traditional unified civilization as we have seen in the River Civilization model.

Emerging from darkness Mycenaean civilization went into a prolonged dark age from B.C.E. Dark meant depopulation, disease, poverty, and backwardness. The Aegean was isolated from the Mediterranean world. The regions of Greece became isolated Why?

The Greek Polis Polis were urban centers and the surrounding areas they controlled. As each state became isolated during the dark ages, they developed unique traditions. During the classical Age they become Polis.

Parts of the Polis Agora: the open marketplace, open meeting place, later became the birthplace of democracy. Acropolis: the high ground, place where people gathered in times of danger.

Polis Independence Each state was fiercely independent. The state was defended by a military structure made up of hoplites Inter-polis warfare was relatively uncommon.

The Beginnings of Greek Expansion

Milestones in Greek History: Coins Developed coinage from the influence of the Kingdom of Lydia. Made commerce easier and more widespread.

Political Developments in Early Greek History: Kings and Tyrants Kings often times ruled with the blessing of the leading families. Gradually in each city state a Tyrant emerged. A Greek tyrant was a person who seized and held power in violation of the normal political institutions and traditions of a community.

Evolution towards Democracy SEE STORY IN VIDEO Gradually Tyrants replaced by Oligarchies as they couldn’t pass their leadership to sons. Oligarchy: rule by the few over the many. Expulsion of Pisistratus and Hippias.

Greek Religion Embodied a wide range of cults and beliefs. Collection of sky gods derived from Pre-Greek influences. Some represented natural forces (Zeus-Lightning, Poseidon-waves, sea, and earthquakes) Anthromphorbic: humanlike forms, with recognizable human feelings. Organized in a family like hierarchy.

Sacrifices to the Gods Performed in altars and temples in honor of the gods. Sometimes animal sacrifice (famous bull sacrifices on Crete)

Use of Oracles Cultures have always been interested in communicating with the gods. The Greeks were no different. They used “Oracles” to reach the divine. The priestess Pythia would communicated with Apollo.

A Tale of Two City States Athens Food shortages solved with colonization. Had slavery Had a military tradition but were more diverse in their interests. Lead the cultural renaissance in the region. Urban area of upwards of 300,000 Vigorous in maritime trade Evolution of Democracy Poor conditions for women Sparta Food shortages solved with conquest. Brutal form of slavery “Helot Culling” Spent lives in military training Refused to take part in the renaissance, focused on military. Smaller urban area Limited maritime trade Emphasis on Tyranny Equality of women

The Struggle of Greece and Persia Persian conquest overlapped with Greek colonies in Anatolia. Ionian revolt disrupted Persian rule. This led to Persian Wars a pair of wars in the early 5 th century BCE SEE VIDEO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Greek Culture Drama and Philosophy

Historiae Herodotus of Halicanarssus: “the purpose is to prevent the traces of human events from being erased by time and to preserve the fame of the important and remarkable events” Thucydides: History of the Peloponnesian War. Explored long term cause and effect.

Drama Greeks loved tragedies Aeschylus: 27 time dramatist of the year! Simple plots based on a tragic flaw. Wrote in “Trilogies” such as the Oretesia. Euripedes: a skeptic who wrote about the excess of worshiping Dionysus in the Bacchae Social commentary: critical of Peloponnesian War-Lysistrata

Oedipus: Sophocles

Philosophy Greek word meaning “love of wisdom” Concerned with nature of universe and the place of divine forces within it. Sophists: traveling philosophical teachers who rejected speculation as foolish, understanding the universe was out of our reach…sole goal personal improvement. There is no absolute right or wrong, for this they were considered dangerous.

Socrates: Left no writings An “ugly stonemason” Preferred to teach for free as his sole purpose was understanding human nature and improving the individual. Socratic method: question and answer technique to lead the student to the answer. “Unexamined life is not worth living”

Sacrificed

Plato: Greatest philosopher of Western Civilization? Wrote a great deal on reality. How do we know what is real? Allegory of the Cave Major work is The Republic “Forms theory”. There are ideal forms, our job is to try and perceive them as best as we can through an astutely trained mind.

Allegory of the Cave

Republic Plato distrusted the democracy of Athens Population divided into three basic groups: a ruling elite (Philosopher Kings). 2. Those who showed courage (warriros to protect). 3. The masses, those driven by desire. Equality of the genders. “there will no rest from troubles” unless Philosophers become kings.

The Academy Founded in the 4 th century BCE ran until it was closed in the 6 th century CE by the Byzantine emperor Justinian.

Aristotle Studied at Plato’s Academy Tutored Alexander the Great Dismissed Plato’s forms. Intense study could lead to the understanding of objects and their true form. Emphasized classification and research

Politics Aristotle examined 158 state constitutions. Examined three “good governments” that can become bad 1. Monarchy (can become tyranny) 2. Aristocracy (can become oligarchy) 3. Constitutional Government (that can become “mob rule” or anarchy.)

Architecture One of the great achievements of Classical Greece.

Alexander the Great The Conqueror Who Changed The World

The Macedonians Macedon a frontier state north of Greece. Heavy Greek cultural influence.

Phillip II “one of the great men of Europe” Norman Davies. Built a powerful military machine. Filled a power vacuum left in the wake of the Peloponnesian War.

The Phalanx

Setting his sights Phillip gradually moved to conquer Northern Greece. Subjugated Greece by 338 B.C.E Intended to conquer Persia, brought down by an assassin.

Evolution of Empire 359 BCE

348 BCE

336 BCE

Family Spat Famous dinner party at the wedding of Phillip II who divorced himself from his first wife, Alexander’s mother Olympia. "Here is the man who was making ready to cross from Europe to Asia, and who cannot even cross from one table to another without losing his balance."

Alexander III Subjugated Ionia and Anatolia to his control. Within the first 3 years he subjugated Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. By 331 he controlled Mesopotamia and set his sights on the big prize…Persia.

The most difficult conquest? Greece itself, was the most difficult land for Alexander to subdue. Even in the wake of the Peloponnesian War.

The Spear

All Tied Up…Gordian Knot

Conquest of Egypt Welcomed as a pharaoh. Liberated the Persian satrapy of Egypt.

Conquest of Persia Several major battles would be fought between Alexander and Darius.

Issus

Beating the Odds Despite staggering numerical odds, Alexander defeats the Persians through a blend of courage, strategy, bravado, and luck.

Achilles Educated by Aristotle, Alexander III was very familiar with the heroic tales of the Greek past, namely his favorite the Iliad.

Darius III

Indian Conquest

Battle with Porus at Hydapses

The loss of Bucephalus The first of several tragedies for Alexander the finally inspires him to heed the call of his men and return home.

Alexander’s Death Malaria? Typhoid? West Nile? Map 253

Alexander’s Legacy? Hellenism. Monday Groups