Part of Balkan peninsula, extends into Mediterranean Sea
Valleys and islands were settled and farmed Created isolated city-states Very independent- many wars
Sea was a vital link to outside world Many safe harbors Greeks were skilled sailors
Greek ships carried: olive oil, wine, marble Returned with: grains, metal, ideas Many colonies around Mediterranean
2 levels High city (on hilltop) acropolis Below, walled main city
Monarchy- ruled by king/ queen Aristocracy- rules by landholding nobles Oligarchy- small elite group usually business class
Military virtue and strong discipline
Government- brutal system of strict control 2 kings, council of elders, assembly of citizens 5 ephors- ran day-to-day affairs, real power
Healthy soldiers Age 7- begin harsh training Age 20- can marry, still live in barracks Age 30- citizen, part of assembly
Produce healthy sons for army Had to exercise and strength train Could run family estate, inherit property
Looked down on other Greeks, trade, wealth, art, travel
Democracy- government by the people
Solon Wise and trusted leader more power to citizens, economic reforms Cleisthenes Increase role of citizen council of 500, legislature (law making body) All male citizens over 30 could participate
No part of public life Managed household, spun cloth, cared for children, prepared food Poor women worked outside the home
Boys went to school, if they could afford it Read, write, music, poetry, public speaking, military training
Ionian city-states self governing under Persian empire Athens help Ionia rebel against Persia Persian emperor Darius I - punish Athens for helping Ionia Athens victory
480 B.C. Xerxes (son of Darius) sent larger force to Greece Greece united- Athens, Sparta, and other city-states Themistocles- built lots of ships Greece beat Persians on sea and then land
Alliance of Greek city-states Athens most powerful Athens used money from league to rebuild their city
Golden age for Athens Ruler Pericles Good economy, more democratic government Direct democracy- citizens take part in affairs
Hired best architects and sculptors to rebuild Athens
Peloponnesian League set up to counter Delian League Sparta (oligarchy)vs Athens (democracy) Fight for 27 years Athens overcrowded –plague kills 1/3 of population Sparta and Persia capture Athens Athens power fades, but remains cultural capital