T HE C RADLE OF W ESTERN C IVILIZATION A webquest by Mariah Reinard

T HE B ASICS OF A NCIENT G REECE Ancient Greece is also known as “The Cradle of Western Civilization” Ancient Greece lasted from about 1100 B.C. to about 146 B.C. The Greek Parthenon

A NCIENT G REECE G EOGRAPHY Greece is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Three regions: coast, lowlands, and mountains Ancient Greece has more than 1,400 islands Greece is a mountainous area, making it bad for agriculture There were very few rivers The mountains made travel across the land difficult Many city-states were on the coasts of other modern-day countries Lots of high land

A NCIENT G REECE G EOGRAPHY C ONTINUED Living on the Acropolis was great for war The Greek’s could see the enemies coming The people of a city-state most likely knew the mountains around their area better than others Mountains provide places for the wives and children to hide during war. Hills of the Acropolis made it hard for enemies to reach the city.

G OVERNMENT I N G ENERAL There were 4 types of government in Ancient Greece They were monarchy, oligarchy, tyranny, democracy Monarchy is when an area is ruled by a king or queen. Oligarchy is when an area is ruled by a small group. Tyranny is when an area is ruled by a dictator or a group of dictators. Democracy is when an area is ruled by its citizens. A monarchy was the most common form of Ancient Greece. There are two types of democracy. They are direct and representative. A direct democracy is where citizens vote for who is going into power and their own laws. A representative democracy is when the citizens vote for the person who will represent them and make their laws.

D EMOCRACY I N A THENS When Athens made the change from monarchy to democracy, it was a slow process. When the last king of Athens was replaced, he was replaced, not with a new king, but an archon. At first, the positions of king and archon were very nearly identical The archon was to rule for life and had to be a part of a royal family. About 200 years later, there was a different archon. His name was Solon. Athens was divided into 10 tribes. Each division would elect 50 representatives to the Assembly. The Areopagus was a group of former archons acting as a supreme court Once the Areopagus lost power, Athens became a full democracy. Athens was considered unique, as it used a lottery system to appoint all officials.

D EMOCRACY I N A THENS C ONTINUED Short “in office” times were used to insure no person gained too much power. It is also allowed almost every citizen to be a part of his government at some point in time. Women were not allowed to be citizens and had less rights. Athenian government was a direct democracy. When the Assembly met, there had to be at least 6,000 citizens in attendance. The Assembly had many powers. These powers included: deciding troop strengths and declaring war. It was the Assembly’s job to give people citizenship. The council was another important group. They were 50 people from each of the 10 tribes. The council met daily, exceptions on festival days. The military leader or strategoi was a very important position as well. They trained the military for battle

A NCIENT G REECE R ELIGION Mythology was the religion f Ancient Greece. It was a polytheistic belief, meaning that they believed in many gods. The Greeks believed the most powerful gods lived on Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece. There was no formal structure or sacred book to live by. Festivals were the central way to worship the gods. Great temples and monuments were built to the gods. Zeus was believed to be the most powerful god. Athena

T HE G ODS O F A NCIENT G REECE Zeus was believed to be the “King of the Gods” His Roman name was Jupiter. He could controlled the weather and the sky. He created thunder. Poseidon was god of the seas, horses, and earthquakes. His Roman name was Neptune Hera was the queen of heaven, goddess of women, childbirth and marriage. Her Roman name was Juno. Aphrodite was the goddess of beauty and love. Her Roman name was Venus. Apollo was the god of light, honesty, healing, archery, music, and poetry. Namely the arts. Ares was the god of war. His Roman name was Mars. Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, moon and children. Her Roman name is Diana. Athena was goddess of wisdom, war, patriotism, and good citizenship.

E DUCATION I N S PARTA Sent to military school at age 6 or 7 Taught the skills needed to be a great soldier. Were not fed well and told that stealing was okay as long as they weren’t caught. At ages 18-20, boys had to pass a strenuous test of strength, leadership, and ability.’ Also went to school at age 6 or 7 They were taught combat skills, wrestling, and gymnastics. Once they were 18, if they passed the skills and fitness test, they were assigned a husband and went home. BoysGirls

E DUCATION I N A THENS Up until age 6, boys were taught at home by their mother or a male slave. Ages 7-14 they attended a primary school or a private school They learned by memorization as subjects are read aloud. They had to learn the original words of Homer ( a Greek poet) and how to play the lyre (a musical instrument) The teachers were always male. After that they attended a “high school” for 4 years and then a military school for 2 years. At age 20, they graduated. Girls didn’t attend school. Received their entire education at home. BoysGirls A lyre.

G REEK B ABIES Considered to be “youths” until the age of 30. Families decorated the doorways with wreaths when a baby was born. A wreath of olives was used for a boy. A wreath of wool was used for a girl. In some city-states, babies were wrapped tightly in cloths for up to 2 years. This was to insure straight limbs.

G REEK G IRLS Girls stayed home until they were married. Their job was to help their mothers and in the field as needed. At age 12 or 13, they were considered adults and were allowed to marry. They had to do whatever their father told them. They had to marry the man of her father’s choice.

G REEK B OYS Helped in the fields Some were taught the trade of their fathers while others went to school. Greek boys played games like hockey. Most cities required boys to have at least 2 years of military service. Had to reach age 30 before they were allowed to participate in politics.

C ITATONS for notes on Geography, Religion, Government, and Education for notes on Geography. Religion, Government, and Children for notes on Geography and Children for notes on Geography and Religion for notes on Government for notes on Children Mrs.Yanko for help with everything.