Unit 2-1 How did the government and philosophies of the Greek city-states influence the development of Rome and its preservation throughout the scope of the Byzantine Empire?

Geography Peninsula and islands with many inlets and bays Rough mountainous terrain Divides Greece into different regions / Prevents political unity Rival City-States Develop

II. Minoans Trade in the Mediterranean Minoan civilization emerged on the island of Crete Established large trans-Mediterranean trade network Was able to acquire large amounts of knowledge through cultural diffusion

D. Minoan civilization collapsed after a series of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

Located on the Peloponnesus Large cities built on fortified hilltops III. The Mycenaeans Located on the Peloponnesus Large cities built on fortified hilltops 20 ft thick protective walls Traded with Minoan civilization of Crete Adopted Minoan writing system – cultural diffusion                                                 

B. The Trojan War War against rival trading cities The Iliad and Odyssey retells a fictionalized version of the events Last triumph of the Mycenaean's

The Rise of City States After the fall of Mycenaean civilization Greece entered a dark age Small farming villages slowly emerge into rival city-states (polis). The high point of the city (acropolis) was used to build temples to polytheistic gods.

Poleis were ruled first by monarchs Slowly the power shifted to a land owning aristocracy After a merchant class emerged the government change to an oligarchy

Athens & Sparta Sparta A warrior society emerged While men were fighting wars some women became powerful Athens Developed into a democratic form of government Only males could vote

The Persian Wars When the Greeks were threatened by Persia all poleis joined together to defeat the Persians Athens became the dominant polis after the wars Pericles ruled as Athens became a direct democracy

Greek Philosophy Following the Persian wars new thinkers emerged Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle sought new explanations for natural events New forms of art, architecture, and drama questioned traditional values

Alexander the Great & the Spread of Hellenism

Alexander’s father Phillip conquered all of Greece Alexander became king when his father died Conquered the entire Persian empire Never lost a battle in 12 years of fighting Died at age 32 from the flu Hellenistic Civilization Blended Greek, Persian, and Egyptian cultures Many advances in science, math and philosophy