Ancient Greece S. Saunders

3.5 Identify those factors which united and divided the Greek people. 3.6 Describe the main features of Persian civilization. 3.7 Identify the causes and critical battles of the wars between the Greeks and Persians and explain why the Greeks were ultimately victorious.

Minoan: 2000-1450 BCE Mycenaean: 1600-1100 BCE The Greek Dark Ages: 1100-800 BCE City-States/Colonization: 800-550 BCE Persian Wars: 550-480 BCE Classical Greece: 480-338 BCE The Hellenistic Age: 338-27 BCE Greco-Roman Period: 27 BCE-400 AD

Little is know about these years – hence, ‘dark’ A time of chaos and movement of people New invaders – the Dorians- coming from the north conquering and displacing the Greek-speaking people all around the Aegean Sea. ---- dividing the Greek people up Greek settlers on Asia Minor became known as the Ionians After 300 years, new independent communities begin to develop.

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By 750 BCE: Greece emerging from the Dark Age. The city-state (polis) was the focus of Greek life. Polis = city and surrounding area. Homes, farms, orchards, fields, etc… Had its own independent government and way of life. Centre for political, social, religious activities. Our word politics comes from the word polis. Each polis = extremely independent. Greeks did NOT consider themselves one unified people.

A fortified area at the top of the hill in the city = acropolis. Citizens could retreat to the acropolis during attack also where temples and public buildings were built. Below the acropolis was the agora where people could assemble for sharing information and market.

Even a large polis was rarely more than 20 000 people (closer to a town than a city). Exceptions: Athens and Sparta. Ancient Greek identity strongly tied to the polis. Personal honour and civic duty were one and the same. The polis was important above all else.

Was imperialistic and expansionist Persians would conquer territory and would allow the people to govern themselves – would pay money to the Persian authorities. As the Greeks spread throughout the Mediterranean, they came in contact with the Persian Empire.

Persia=Iran today Great military state Initial Persian Leader: Cyrus the Great (580—529 BC) Took over Asia Minor in 546 BC. Athenians upset because of colonies there—revolts occur. Darius I (Fourth Persian ruler, 550-486 BC) hated the Greeks. He sent messengers warning of an attack to conquer territory The Athenians asked the Spartans for help if the Persians attacked. They both then ignored the Persian warnings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-mkVSasZIM 11 minutes

The Greco-Persian Wars Outcome 3.7 Identify the causes and critical battles of the wars between the Greeks and the Persians and explain why the Greeks were ultimately victorious

Herodotus: Greek historian (c. 484–425 BCE) A contemporary of Thucydides and Socrates. “ The Father of History” Studied the works of Homer. Considered the first to collect history methodically and systematically. Famous for The Histories The Greco-Persian Wars Collected anecdotal evidence from others. Some just fanciful stories; other parts verified by modern historians.

490 BCE: Battle of Marathon (WIN for Greeks) The Battle of Marathon (7:41) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvBoCATqriM&list=PLY7BFnOZ_O NSxFC7u2a5dFLpB4U9SOA6L&index=2 20000 Persians vs. 10000 Athenians. Persians land on Plains of Marathon, 26 miles from Athens. Pheidippides sent to Sparta requesting help. Sparta could not help because of a helot revolt. Miltiades used hoplites to attack Persians. Result: 6400 Persians killed, 192 Athenians. Persians went to out to sea… and waited!

The Battle of Marathon

480 BCE: Battle of Thermopylae Leonidas and the 300 of Sparta (5:03) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2tbuVdC- PA&index=3&list=PLY7BFnOZ_ONSxFC7u2a5dFLpB4U9SOA6L Sparta agreed to help Athens after seeing the Persians can be defeated. Themistocles new general. (Athenian General/politician) Greeks to met the Persians at the narrow passage of Thermopylae. 7300 Greeks at the passage. A traitor led the Persians around the Greeks. The 7300 were killed. Persians sacked and burned Athens.

The Battle of Thermopylae

The Battle of Salamis: Athens vs Persia 480 BCE: Battle of Salamis The Battle of Salamis: Athens vs Persia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlCUFGBJNMQ&index=4&list=PLY 7BFnOZ_ONSxFC7u2a5dFLpB4U9SOA6L Naval battle (fought on ships). Greeks ships were waiting in Salamis Bay. Persian ships too large to enter through straights. They ran into each other and sank. Persians turned around and retreated. The Greeks followed for a year.

449 BCE: End of the Persian Wars Greeks won against Persians. How were they successful? They were more organized They were determined not to be ruled by foreigners They were unified Greeks = complete control of the Aegean world. Trade flourished and the power and culture of the Greeks became recognized. The Greeks = strong sense of unity for the first time in their history. Begins the Golden Age of Greece.