Ancient Greece- Early Greek Civilizations & City-States Objective: Identify the roots of Greek civilization and recognize its achievements from the Minoan era through the Hellenistic period. Ancient Greece- Early Greek Civilizations & City-States

Aegean area & early civilizations Minoans – Crete, 2700 – 1450 B.C., King Minos, labyrinth Mycenaeans – Indo-Europeans, 1900 B.C. Dorians – Greek speaking conquerors, 1100 B.C. “Dark Age” – 1100 – 750 B.C.

Aegean area & early civilizations continued Ionians reintroduced culture, Hellenic civilization Homer – blind poet, 700s B.C.; two great epic poems Iliad – Trojan War Odyssey – 10-year journey of King Odysseus Arête – moral excellence, courage, honor, manliness, valor

Polis – city-state, city & surrounding area Acropolis – fortified hilltop; place of refuge; religious center Agora – open area for assemblies and markets Citizens (with political rights) – male landowners

Aristocrats – wealthy landowners dominated politics Hoplites – foot soldiers; heavily armed infantry Phalanx – rectangular formation

Phalanx

Political change Oligarchy – a few wealthy people hold power Tyrants – one-man rule, most fair but a few harsh Democracy – power lies in hands of all “citizens”

Sparta – descended from Dorians Oligarchy – two kings; council of elders; assembly Women – married later, more personal rights, sports, no vote Results of militarism – poor but exceptional athletes & soldiers

Athens – descended from Mycenaeans Draco – eliminated inconsistencies in law code; draconian Solon, 594 B.C. – canceled land debts & freed debtors Cleisthenes, 508 B.C. – established Athenian democracy Ostracism – protection from politicians; 10-year banishment