Ancient Greece Review Chapter 8 and 9

Greece’s Geography Geography helped shape early Greek civilization Greece is a peninsula Greece’s mountains and seas made travel difficult for early Greeks Know the three seas that surround Greece Ionian Sea (west) Mediterranean Sea (south) Aegean Sea (east)

Early Greeks Know the first two civilizations to develop within Greece Minoan civilization Mycenaean civilization Minoan Located on the island of Crete Started trade Mycenaean Located in Greece Put a high importance in building fortresses for protection Both Minoan and Mycenaean experienced many natural disasters that contributed to their downfall.

Early Greeks Greek City-States City-state – a city surrounded by country side. Greece is a collection of city-states Polis- the Greek word for city-state Acropolis- high hill upon which a Greek fortress was built Trade developed amongst the city-states

Greek Mythology and Literature Know that the Greeks were polytheistic (believed in many gods) The Greeks believed the gods affected everything around them. Example- if the seas were rough, they believed Poseidon was angry. Be familiar with the following Gods/Goddess Zeus- king of the gods and the heavens Hera – queen of the Gods Poseidon – god of the seas Hades – god of the underworld Athena – goddess of wisdom Ares – god of war Apollo – god of the sun Artemis – goddess of the moon and the hunt

Greek Mythology and Literature Heroes Many Greek myths were told about Heroes Be familiar with the story of Hercules (NOT THE DISNEY VERSION) The 12 labors Son of Zeus The only hero to become a Greek god on Mount Olympus

Greek Mythology and Literature Greek Literature Homer Wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey The Iliad The story of the Trojan war Black Ships Before Troy The Odyssey The story of Odysseus and his travels back home. Made Poseidon angry and because of this, it took 10 years to return home after the Trojan war.

Greek Mythology and Literature Lyric Poetry – poems set to music, often played by the lyre Fables – short stories that teach the reader lessons about life or give advice on how to live. The Ants and the Grasshopper The Boy Who Cries Wolf The Tortoise and the Hare

Greece and Persia Persia became an empire under the rule of Cyrus the Great Cyrus the Great developed a strong military The Immortals – the Persians strong and powerful army Cavalry – a unit of soldiers who ride horses. Cyrus the Great let the people he conquered keep their own customs Less likely to rebel

Greece and Persia Darius I The Persian War Persian ruler who expanded Persia and divided it into 20 provinces Each had their own governor to lead them. The Persian War A series of wars between Persia and Greece Started on the plains of Marathon near Athens Athens and Sparta (Greece’s two most powerful city-states) worked together (alliance) to win the Persian war. Greece also had more advanced weapons and intelligent leaders that contributed to their success.

Athens One of Greece’s most powerful city-state Athens Government Oligarchy Ruled by a small group of powerful people called aristocrats ( wealthy landowners) Tyranny Lead by one person (a Tyrant), held power through the use of force. Democracy Lead by the people (citizens)

Athens Athens Government Cont’d Important Democratic leaders Created the worlds first Democracy For the first time in history, a government was based on the votes of its free citizens Ran by Athens citizens Male Athenian parentage Free Important Democratic leaders Cleisthenes’ – “father of democracy” Pericles – democracy reached its height

Athens Men Women Wealthy = highly educated Took part in Athens military for about 2 years (18-20 yoa) Education Literature, astronomy, geometry, public speaking Women Had little to no rights Couldn’t own property No education Must obey their fathers and husbands

Sparta Government Men Women Oligarchy Strong military Most men spent their entire life in the military (until age 60) Men were not given many comforts Raised to be self disciplined and obedient Little education, spent time: Training, running, jumping, swimming, throwing javelins to increase strength. Women More rights then Athenian women Ran the house-hold Was also trained in running, jumping, wrestling, and throwing javelins

Athens vs. Sparta The two most powerful city-states in Greece Had a power struggle Developed alliances with neighboring Greek city-states The Peloponnesian War Lasted over 10 years Neither Athens nor Sparta could gain an advantage during this time. Agreed to a truce Athens became weak after trying to conquer the island of Sicily Sparta took advantage of Athens weakness and finally took control over Athens in 404 BC Sparta ruled over Greece for about 30 years

Alexander the Great A great Macedonian ruler who expanded his fathers empire. Alexander the Great conquered the following: Greece Persia Egypt All of Asia Minor Alexander the Great enjoyed Greek culture and took part in spreading Greek art, literature, and science to the surrounding lands.

Greek Achievements The Arts Philosophy Science Statues and Paintings Life-like Architecture Parthenon – a beautiful temple built for the goddess Athena in Athens. Writing Dramas, comedies, history Philosophy Socrates Plato Aristotle Science Mathematics – geometry Medicine Engineering