Today’s Warm Up Video Clip: “Crash Course in World History – Persians & the Greeks” Be ready to start when the bell rings. 

Ancient Greece Today’s LEQ: What led to the increase in number and size of key states and empires during the classical era?

Early City-States Minoans began to settle on Crete c. 6,000 BCE Produced pottery, written script and bronze tools Development of new script (Linear B) shows rising influence of Greeks over Minoans

Early City-States Mycenaeans dominated relationship with Crete after 1450 B.C.E.; Minoan civilization fades into history… Truth or Legend? Agamemnon Power failed by 1200 B.C.E. for unknown reasons at start of Greek “Dark Ages” Reemergence of Greek culture in 850 B.C.E.

The Greek “POLIS” City-States! Small, locally organized gov’t based on single central city with surrounding countryside Size restricted by geography Overpopulation addressed by colonization Built for defense and to accommodate mountains Poorest lived at lower levels Agora (open meeting space) on higher ground Acropolis (temple) on highest ground

Greek City-States Each developed its own political system but city-states bound together by common culture, language, etc. (i.e. Olympic Games every four years) Two key city-states: Athens & Sparta RIVALS! Both at height of their power c. 500-300 BCE Developed very different political systems Athens more democratic Sparta ruled by kings Activity: Compare/Contrast Athens & Sparta

City-States Unite! Persian Wars: Rival Greek city-states unite against common enemy – the Persians! Battle of Marathon 10,000 man Greek army defeats 48,000 man Persian army at Marathon (490 B.C.E.] Persia’s King Darius first attempt to conquer remaining Greeks Xerxes picks up where Darius left off… Renewed attack on Greek mainland but was unsuccessful

Old Rivalries Resurface… Greece divided into two alliances: Delian League, led by Athens Peloponnesian League, led by Sparta Rivalry came to a head in the Peloponnesian War of 431, Sparta defeated Athens