What was the significance of ancient Greece? Notes #8

Ancient Greece was a civilization that existed in southeastern Europe, from next to the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.

Greece had many excellent harbors to encourage seafaring trade, which helped Greece grow.

The geography of Greece was mountainous, causing Greece to develop into a collection of separate, independent city-states.

Two of Greece’s most influential city-states were Athens and Sparta. Ancient Athens Ancient Sparta

Athens established the first direct democracy, in which all adult male citizens were eligible to vote. Pericles

Athens also placed an emphasis on individualism, which allowed for the development of philosophy. Socrates Plato Aristotle

Unlike Athens, Sparta placed an emphasis on military service and had a very strict government and society. King Leonidas I

Greece’s independence came to an end when Macedonia invaded and conquered Greece. Macedonian King Alexander the Great

Through the conquests of Alexander the Great, Macedonia created a huge empire . . . Macedonian Empire consisting of Greece, Egypt, the Persian Empire, and Indus Valley

. . . and led to the spread of Hellenistic culture, which combined the cultures of all of Alexander’s conquered areas (including Greece). Alexandria, Egypt