Ancient Greece 500-323 B.C.E.

Greek geography Greece is a mountainous peninsula with hundreds of islands in the Mediterranean Sea Communities were isolated Developed differently Fought frequently No community is farther than 85 miles from coast = ? Emphasis on navy and coastal trade

Geography and Economics Advanced navy and ships (Greeks skilled sailors) Trade around Mediterranean

Geography and Technology Terraced farming

Geography and Politics Small, isolated communities  Polis (city- states) Acropolis was seat of religious temples and government Rest of city was built in the valley Landowning men held all the political power

Social Structure Patrilineal – line of descent through the father Elite, landowning males were citizens Slaves made up ¾ of society

Unifying Force = Greek Culture The Greeks were the original Olympians.

Greek Religion Polytheistic Based off a family of gods Each god represented a different aspect of life or nature

Intellectual Accomplishments Adopted and adapted Phoenician alphabet Word alphabet comes from the Greek letters alpha and beta Common language united the often divided Greeks

Greek Technology and Architecture Greeks invented arches and columns.

Greek Architecture

Greek Technology The Greeks invented: the crane – late 6th century BCE The catapult

Greek Military Hoplite: a Greek infantry soldier Hoplites were middle- class freemen who had to pay for their own weapon and shield Lessened class divides because the everyday man could protect their city-state

Athens vs. Sparta

Where would you call home? Given the choice, would you live in a world that honors strength, soldiers and power? Or, would you live in a place that honors education, art, philosophy and new ideas?

Sparta Rejected trade and other outside influence Spartan society valued bravery, strength, and soldiers Boys were sent to military school at a young age. Those that can’t contribute= Cast out of society. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7V1a1I5BL0

Spartan Women Spartan women expected to be healthy and strong When men were at war, women took over control More rights than many other Greek city-states

Spartan Govt. Ruled by an oligarchy A govt. ruled by a few elite Had 2 kings and a council of elders Citizens were male, native-born Spartans over the age of 30

Spartan Military-Professional Phalanx: military formation. Soldiers stood close together and created a pod with their shields, then attacked with 10 ft. long spears. Hard for opposition to infiltrate

Athens Trade center that focused on individual thought, the arts, philosophy, and education

Political Structure Democracy: Demos = people Kratos = power Athens= direct democracy Citizens vote on everything. (citizens were male land- owners) U.S. TODAY=representative democracy We vote for representative who vote and make decisions for us.

Political Structure Basic principles of democracy traced to Athens: Majority Rule Civic Debate Impartial Juries Rule of Law Legislature (Council of 500)

Society Values Well rounded education Cultural Center: art and architecture Trading center Welcomed new ideas

Women in Athens No share in political life Women managed the household Received no formal education Aristotle said “ the man is by nature fitter for command than the female, just as an older person is superior to a younger, immature person”

Athens v. Sparta https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjqtmfDN52k