The Culture of Cities Wednesday, November 7/2005 Classical Greece The Culture of Cities Wednesday, November 7/2005 SOSC 2730
Selected Civilizations
Classical Greece
Troy Athens Mycenae Sparta Thera Knossos
Greek Dark Age, 1100-800 BCE
Polis city-state 1200-1100 BCE by 800 BCE beginning of dark age emerging from this period acceleration in trade
Polis city building process focused on individual city & its hinterland largest Sparta 7800 sq. kilometres
Polis small size dynamic democracy free male citizens 30,000 in Athens
monarchy ––> oligarchy oligarchy ––> democracy Polis monarchy ––> oligarchy oligarchy ––> democracy
Sparta monarchy Messenia education; military service classes native Spartans foreigners helots (slave farmers)
Sparta stable government dual monarchy ephorate council assemble of male citizens
Sparta alliances major Greek power by 490 BCE
Troy Athens Mycenae Sparta Thera Knossos
Athens monarchy oligarchy crisis agricultural failure political response
Athens reforms of Solon 4 classes created council of nobles (2 wealthiest) elected council of 400 assembly
Athens Peisistratus religion cultural institutions transformation to culturally sophisticated & dynamic state
Athens Cleisthenes trade art, literature, architecture, religion 508-202 BCE democracy trade agricultural goods crafts art, literature, architecture, religion
Troy Athens Mycenae Sparta Thera Knossos
The Persion Wars
490 BCE Sparta Athens dominant militayr power in Greece dominant economic & cultural power emerging as a major naval power
Troy Athens Mycenae Sparta Thera Knossos
The Persian Wars defining moment in Greek history
Athens Miletus Sparta