The History of Ancient Greece

The First Cultures of Greece  The Minoans ( BC): Lived on the island of Crete; palace dwellers who loved luxury, comfort, and Beauty. By 1600 BC, they were influencing all of greece through trade and colonization.  The Myceneans ( BC): Palace dwellers who Lived on the greek mainland; defeated Troy in 1250 BC but by 1100 BC, their culture had disappeared completely.  The Minoans ( BC): Lived on the island of Crete; palace dwellers who loved luxury, comfort, and Beauty. By 1600 BC, they were influencing all of greece through trade and colonization.  The Myceneans ( BC): Palace dwellers who Lived on the greek mainland; defeated Troy in 1250 BC but by 1100 BC, their culture had disappeared completely.

The First cultures of greece  The dark age ( BC): No written history of this time but the dorians invaded greece during this era.  After the dark age (8th century): Greeks established major colonies in Sicily and southern italy; through trade, the greeks come in contact with the phoenicians (who lived in what is now Lebanon and Syria). The greeks adopted the phoenician alphabet and used it as the basis of their own; The polis, or city-state developed.  The dark age ( BC): No written history of this time but the dorians invaded greece during this era.  After the dark age (8th century): Greeks established major colonies in Sicily and southern italy; through trade, the greeks come in contact with the phoenicians (who lived in what is now Lebanon and Syria). The greeks adopted the phoenician alphabet and used it as the basis of their own; The polis, or city-state developed.

The Greco - Persian War  In the 5th century BC, Athens and Sparta were the most powerful city-states. Together they resisted and defeated the Persians between BC. The Athenians won the battle of Marathon and the naval battle of Salamis which helped them to defeat the persians.

Pericles and the Golden Age  encouraged Citizen participation in government  Built new public architecture and art  Added to the growth of the empire of greece  Caused resentment among other city- states, especially with sparta, because of his power and ability

The Peloponnesian War  Tension increased and Greece became polarized between athens and sparta.  The two city - states fight the Peloponnesian war between BC  Sparta wins.  Tension increased and Greece became polarized between athens and sparta.  The two city - states fight the Peloponnesian war between BC  Sparta wins.

Alexander the Great  BC  Son of King Phillip of Macedonia  Called “the Great” due to his military skills and strength  Spread greek language and culture throughout the territory now called Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and part of India.  BC  Son of King Phillip of Macedonia  Called “the Great” due to his military skills and strength  Spread greek language and culture throughout the territory now called Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and part of India.

Greek religion and gods  Worshipped many gods/goddesses  Each god represented a unique quality or power  Gods/goddesses had human - like qualities and faults  Greeks kept a personal relationship with their god/goddess and honored them with religious festivals  Olympic games first held in 776 BC were in honor of zeus, the king of the gods  Worshipped many gods/goddesses  Each god represented a unique quality or power  Gods/goddesses had human - like qualities and faults  Greeks kept a personal relationship with their god/goddess and honored them with religious festivals  Olympic games first held in 776 BC were in honor of zeus, the king of the gods

Greek Literature  The Epic: Oral poetry; Homer is the most famous Greek poet of epics; conveys values of physical bravery, skill, honor, reverence for gods, and intelligence  Lyric Poetry: meant “sung to the Lyre”; musical in quality; sappho is a famous greek lyricist.  The Epic: Oral poetry; Homer is the most famous Greek poet of epics; conveys values of physical bravery, skill, honor, reverence for gods, and intelligence  Lyric Poetry: meant “sung to the Lyre”; musical in quality; sappho is a famous greek lyricist.  Philosophy: Socrates = uncovered the truth by asking questions plato = believed in perfect, unchanging forms in an imperfect world Aristotle = developed logic, zoology, psychology, and many other arts and sciences

Greek Drama  Chronicled the downfall of a noble person  Raised questions within the audience’s minds  Focused on justice, evil, and the reasons for human suffering  Aroused emotions of pity for the tragic hero  Was more emotional than philosophical