Greece’s Geography Located in Southeast Europe Greece is a peninsula or a body of land surrounded by water on three sides. Greece had very little farmable land, narrow rivers, and rough mountains. It is a small land about the size of Pennsylvania.

Greece’s Economy Greece’s had very little farming or agriculture Some manufactured goods were made Greek pottery was some of the best in the world Very few natural resources, lots of marble Had to trade for most resources One of the biggest trading nations of the time

Greece Society Greek cities were separated by mountains, therefore there was a lack of one large capital city City-states arose, were known as polis, individual governments Greek citizens were considered equal. (Had to be land owning, not slaves)

Each city state had its own governments Some of the city-states’ government had a democracy, or government ruled by its people. These included Athens, Corinth, Syracuse, etc.

Greek Philosophy Greece had many philosophers, or intellectual thinkers about nature, logic, knowledge, etc. Socrates: Had a question and answer approach to teaching (Socratic Method) Plato: Student of Socrates, had new ideas about government Aristotle: Student of Plato, questioned nature of world and humans. Set up Scientific Method

Literature and Art New type of writing; Epics Famous author Homer Wrote the Iliad and Odyssey Art: Sculptures Made out of marble Architecture Heavily influenced future art

Architecture & Theater Architecture: Parthenon and other temples (pillars were a main feature) Theater: Entertainment for Greeks. Popular plays were comedies and tragedies. Plays were held in outside stadiums or theatres

Persian Wars (490 BC – 479 BC) Wars fought between Greek city states and Persians King Darius wanted to conquer Greece, brought large army, was defeated by Greeks. Darius’s son Xerses 10 years later vowed to destroy Athens and the rest of Greece Brings army of millions to Greece. Succeeds in destroying Athens however is defeated by combined Greek army

Peloponnesian War (431 BC – 404 BC) War between Sparta and Athens (other smaller city states also involved) Sparta and other city states had become jealous of Athen’s wealth and power. Sparta had the stronger military, was eventually able to defeat Athens

Alexander the Great Greek General, son of Philip II. Was crowned at the age of 20, was a student of Aristotle. Defeated Persian army in Anatolia (modern day Turkey) Later captured Egypt from the Persians Would travel East, to try to expand his empire even further. Made it all the way to India before falling ill and dying at age 32

Hellenism After Alexander, Greek culture changed. Greek culture became blended with Egyptian, Persian, and Indian cultures, a new culture called Hellenism was born. Alexandria in Egypt was the center of Hellenistic Culture. Brought about changes in Math and other subjects

Mathematics Hellenistic Greeks brought new advances to mathematics First time geometry and calculus are seen. Pythagoras: Came up with Pythagorean Theory. Archimedes: Studed pi – dealt with circumference of circles in relation with diameter