Introduction to Ancient Greece

Importance of the Sea “Greeks don’t live on the land; they live near the sea.”

Importance of Terrain Mountains, rocky terrain + lack of arable farmland

Because of lack or arable land – they needed trading partners so they created colonies around the Mediterranean. This also helped spread Greek culture so that it was more easily preserved.

Historical Overview Ancient Civilization: Minoans & Mycenaeans Mycenaeans taken over by illiterate warriors (the Dorians) “Dark Ages” (400 years) (Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey written at the end of the Dark Ages) Classical Civilization Begins with victory in Persian Wars Ends with civil war called Peloponnesian War (weakened b/c of war > Greece is conquered by Alexander the Great) Hellenistic Era Alexander the Great spreads Greek culture across a huge empire Greece conquered by the Roman Empire

Types of Government Oligarchy Rule by a small group of people Tyrant Monarchy Aristocracy Oligarchy Rule by a king/queen Rule by wealthy nobles Rule by a small group of people Bottom right picture is of Peisistratos– an Athenian “tyrant” who reduced the power of the aristocracy and championed the poor. Tyrant A leader who gains complete control by appealing to the poor and unhappy (Some tyrants are bad.) (But some tyrants are good.)

Athenian Democracy Created in response to aristocrats’ fear of a revolution by the people > created a limited democracy where: All Athenian citizens could participate in government. But… only 1/5 of Athenians were considered “citizens.” Pericles (Leader during the Golden Age of Athens) > introduced direct democracy (expanded definition of “citizen”)

Sparta Athens

Government Military oligarchy Why? Democracy Why? Sparta Athens Fear of revolt by helots (conquered people) Democracy Why? Fear of revolution by poor Athenians

Values Sparta Athens Strength and honor Imagination and curiosity

Role of Women Sparta Athens Women managed family estates, sometimes involved in government Why? Women took no part in government or intellectual life Why not?

Architecture

Theatrical Forms Tragedy Comedy Satyr Masks were worn to exaggerate features and were adjusted for each form.

Athletic Competition

New Type of Warfare Thanks to the new invention of iron… Instead of aristocrats (rich landowners) fighting each other on horseback, city-states create militaries of hoplites (foot soldiers) organized into a rectangular unit (phalanx) with shields for protection

Philosophy (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle) Notes: Trial and death of Socrates is evidence of the growing distinction between “traditional”/rural values (based on mythology) and “modern”/urban ideas of natural science/agnosticism.