Origins of Classical Greece

Mycenaean Civilization Indo-Europeans Arrive in 2000 BCE (traders) Hellenic Culture (Egypt, Meso, Greek diffusion) First to Speak Greek Infrastructure Interaction with Minoans Mycenaean = first Greeks (trading empire until 1200 BCE) Warriors who settled into towns – indo-European people who conquered the Greek mainland looking for arable land Capital at Mycenae – people lived in city-states (geography) with warrior kings and rulers Traders (Egypt, Italy, and Mesopotamia) Strategically placed on hills with walls surrounding the castles Lavish burial sites for the kings = what does this show? First to speak Greek There was great cultural diffusion as the trade contacts blended elements of Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and other cultures into early Greek or Hellenic culture Learned shipbuilding, writing, and culture from Minoans – 1480 BCE invaded Crete DOMINATION – 1400-1200 BCE

Trojan War 1250 BC Economic rivalry between Mycenaean’s and Troy Dardanelles (Hellespont) Trojan War? Romantic Myth Trojan War = 1250 BCE = possibly due to economic rivalry; control over the Dardanelles which connects the Aegean and the Black seas. Legend = Trojan prince kidnapped Helen = wife of Greek king; fought for 10 years outside of the Troy walls; Greeks trick with wooden horse and burn the city to the ground 1870s = German businessman, Schliemann, proves that this could be real

Mycenaean Graves

Citadel

Mycenae

Age of Homer Decline of Mycenaean civilization Greece enters the Dark Ages… Homer Iliad Odyssey Mycenaean civilization declines (trade declines and lords fought with one another) Dorians – warlike invaders from the north settle and drive out Mycenaeans. Mycenaeans flee to Athens and Ionia Physical Destruction = Earthquakes and flash flooding Homer: Blind poet born into this time of crisis hearing about Greek heroes and writes: Iliad tells story of warrior Achilles and the tragic results Odyssey decribes the many adventures of the soldier Odysseus on his 10-year trip home after the end of the Trojan War. Epic poems reveal Greek values of Honor, Courage, and Eloquence and serve as an ispiration to the Europeans. Dark Ages of Greek History - Little is known about this period, however radical changes take place 1100-800 BCE = Dark Ages of decline…

Homer

Homer’s Illiad – The Surrender

Cultural Diffusion…coming out of the Dark Ages in Greece… Dark Ages of Greece Dorian Invasions Geographic Influence Cultural Diffusion…coming out of the Dark Ages in Greece… By 1100 B.C. a northern warlike people called the Dorians invaded the area. This began an era of constant warfare known as the Dark Ages of Greek History where Greek civilization declined somewhat. The rocky coasts and islands forced Greeks to look to the sea for survival. They became fishermen and traders for food and resources, which brought them into rivalries with each other, but also brought them into alliances.

Greek Renaissance Started in 750 BC Cultural Exchange Homer – Iliad and Odyssey Greek Alphabet Greek Renaissance (750 BCE) Population growth and cultural exchange Sailing further for goods brought them into contact with others’ ideas and customs. The Greek alphabet evolved from contacts with the Phoenicians of the Eastern Mediterranean coast Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey (Review from last class period)

The Myths of Athens The Myth of Athens begins with Athena (also known as Minerva) and Poseidon (god of the seas). Athena and Poseidon both wanted to be the protectors of Athens. To keep the two from arguing, Kekrops (also called an earth child who was a demigod), was pronounced as an arbitrator. The two gods, Athena and Poseidon, had to create something valuable for Athens. Poseidon created a well (though some sources say he gave the city a horse) and Athena created the olive tree. In the end it was the olive tree which won out as a symbol of peace and prosperity, and Athens was thenceforth named after the Goddess Athena, and Kekrops became the first king of Athens. Athens was also blessed with the vine tree, given by the god Dionyssos. Wine, being integral to trade and life in Athens, was not native to mainland Greece, but migrated originally from Crete. Wine was used in many religious ceremonies, and was integral to many of the wine cults which formed through out Greece.

Colonies and Mainland Greece Colonization of Greece Development of the Greek Polis (Acropolis) Ancient Athenian Polis and political development… Colonization – by 750 BCE Shipbuilding/colony advances from the Phoenicans Crete, Rhodes, Cyprus Attractive for farmers who want lands Consulted the oracle at Delphi – gave “blessing” for colonization Spread as far as Egypt, Italy, and Macedonia Development of the Polis (city-state) Power = nobles who could afford defense and earn power over time City and surrounding region Homes built of sun-dried bricks with courtyard in the center Each small polis or city-state grew in strength, but remained an isolated outpost of civilization. Two factors helped keep communication between the Greek poleis (plural of polis) 1. The Sea; 2. Religion SHOW TRANSPARENCY OF THE ACROPOLIS = upper city 1 Parthenon = archetecture = inside golden statue of Athena (goddess of war and wisdom); 2 Temple; 3 Alter of Athena (holiest place); 4 Statue; 5 Zeus Statue; Other various gods and goddesses also honored Early Athens… Athens entered the Archaic Period in the same way so many of its neighbors, as a city-state ruled by a king. The power of the king slowly faded; underneath the king was a council of nobles, which were called the Areopagus, from the name of the hill on which they met. In the eighth century BC, these nobles gradually became very wealthy, particularly off of the cash crops of wine and olive oil, both of which require great wealth to get started. As their wealth increased, the nobles of slowly stripped the king of power until Athenian government imperceptibly became an aristocracy. The Areopagus consisted of a varying number of members, and it elected nine archons, or "rulers," to run the state. The archons, however, always had to submit to the approval or veto of the Areopagus, and they also became members of the Areopagus when their term in office expired, so, in reality, the Areopagus ruled the country.

Athens Athens – Rise of Democracy Monarchy to Aristocracy to Tyranny to Democracy Draco’s Laws Solon’s Reforms Peististratos = Tyrant Cleisthenes = Democracy Athens = “rock fortress” Glorifies individual rights King (monarchy) rules – then Aristocracy rules – then Tyranny (not all mean, some move toward democracy) – Democracy (MAT D) Archon = executive; Polemarch = military; Areopagus = legislature Soldiers want to participate in the government because they realized their importance in the military – they called for laws (written by Draco in 621 BCE) SOLON (archon) = frees debt slaves in 594 BCE and prohibits more – this weakens the Athenian nobility and classifies people by $ not birth Opens the government jobs to more people Makes some foreigners citizens Financial reforms which relate to Greeks selling wine and olive oil Divided Athenian society into four classes based on wealth. The two wealthiest classes were allowed to serve on the Areopagus. The third class were allowed to serve on an elected council. The fourth class, the poorest class, was allowed to participate in an assembly; this assembly voted on affairs brought to it by the council of four hundred, and even elected local magistrates. This class also participated in a new judicial court that gradually drew civil and military cases out of the hands of the wealthiest people, the Areopagus. Peisistratos = seizes power and establishes a tyranny in 546 BCE As tyranny he improves the lives and rights of citizens while weakening the aristocracy Supported the merchant class because they support his rule Cleisthenes (508 BCE) – establishes a limited democracy All citizens are able to govern (free males that are Athenian born) System prevails until the Macedonian conquest circa 300 BCE Council of Five Hundred = ruled on the day to day issues On major issues the Phyx voted by acclamation (everyone) From 508 to 502 BC, Cleisthenes began a series of major reforms that would produce Athenian democracy. He enfranchised as citizens all free men living in Athens and Attica (the area surrounding Athens). He established a council which would be the chief arm of government with all executive and administrative control. Every citizen over the age of thirty was eligible to sit on this council; each year the members of the council would be chosen by lot. The Assembly, which included all male citizens, was allowed to veto any of the council's proposals and was the only branch of government that could declare war.

Athens Continued… Athenian Citizenship Athenian Society Athenian Education Olympics Women in Athens Citizenship allotted many privileges to the population of Athens, thus it was difficult to attain and was only given to a male child if both parents were Athenian. Women were excluded from becoming citizens (with limited exception in the later Hellenistic period). Citizens had rights which for the most part were limited only to themselves. Namely, a Citizen could own land, have heirs, own slaves, belong to the Assembly, and could have some political sway. Citizens also played a large part in the year-round religious festivals of Athens. The class system in Athens was made up of two distinct classes, Slaves and Citizens. Based upon their birth and the wealth of their parents, the length of education was from the age of 5 to 14, for the wealthier 5 to 18/20s. This is for boys. In Hellenistic Greece, a potential citizen spent 2 years in the gymnasium, and 2 years training in the military, also known as the ephebeia. Olympics – every 4 years greatest cultural event for Athenians All male participants; stopped wars to conduct games Women – NO government duties; female hetaerae (foreign women) have the most freedoms – example is Aspasia who is smart and captivated Pericles; must be guided by men; role is to manage the home; Athenian women can be classified into three general classes. The lowest class was the slave women, who carried out more of the menial domestic chores, and helped to raise the children of the wife. The second class was that of the Athenian citizen woman. The third class was known as the Hetaerae. Hetaerae women were given an education in reading, writing, and music, and were allowed into the Agora and other structures which were off limits to citizen and slave women. Most sources about the Hetaerae indicate however, that their standing was at best at the level of prostitutes.

Athenian Acropolis The Acropolis was both the fortified citadel and state sanctuary of the ancient city of Athens. Although the great building programs of the 5th century B.C. have disturbed or covered many of the earlier remains, there is still a great deal of archaeological evidence attesting to the importance of the Acropolis in all periods of time. In the Late Bronze Age, the Acropolis was surrounded by a massive fortification wall like those at Mycenae and Tiryns in southern Greece. This wall remained in use long after the collapse of Mycenaean civilization, and functioned as the fortifications of the Acropolis for several centuries. By the middle of the 8th century B.C., if not earlier, at least part of the Acropolis had developed into the sanctuary of the goddess Athena, the patron divinity of the city. It is likely that the first temple of Athena Polias was constructed in this period in order to house a wooden cult statue of the goddess. In the 2nd quarter of the 6th century B.C., probably in association with the re-organization of the Panathenaic festival in 566 B.C., there was a burst of architectural and sculptural activity, and the first monumental, stone, Doric temple of Athena is built on the Acropolis. Another monumental temple was built towards the end of the 6th century, and yet another was begun after the Athenian victory over the Persians at Marathon in 490 B.C. However, the Acropolis was captured and destroyed by the Persians 10 years later (in 480 B.C.). Although the Athenians and other Greeks were eventually victorious over their eastern enemies, the Acropolis lay in ruins. In the mid-5th century, the Athenians were persuaded by the statesman Perikles to rebuild the temples on the Acropolis on a grand scale, and it is during the second half of the 5th century B.C. that the most famous buildings on the Acropolis -- the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia, and the temple of Athena Nike, were constructed.

Parthenon

Pnyx – Seat of Democracy

The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural centre, and the seat of justice. The site was occupied without interruption in all periods of the city's history. It was used as a residential and burial area as early as the Late Neolithic period (3000 B.C.). Early in the 6th century, in the time of Solon, the Agora became a public area. After a series of repairs and remodeling, it reached its final rectangular form in the 2nd century B.C. Extensive building activity occurred after the serious damage made by the Persians in 480/79 B.C., by the Romans in 89 B.C. and by the Herulae in A.D. 267 while, after the Slavic invasion in A.D. 580, It was gradually abandoned. From the Byzantine period until after 1834, when Athens became the capital of the independent Greek state, the Agora was again developed as a residential area.

Mainland Greece Continued… Sparta Government Military State Culture Society Role of Women Sparta – initially settled by the Dorians who conquered Greece after the fall of Mycenae who turned the people into helots (slaves) Known as the war or discipline state Originally a monarchy, but develops into an oligarchy based on military rule Citizenship = males over the age of 30 who were native born Spartans 2 Kings; Council of Elders = Legislature made of 30 men over the age of 60 = oligarchy; assembly of citizens Political and social structure that develops: dual kingship with the command of the army (among other things) Gerousia (senate): 28 men age 60+, and two kings ex officio (elected for life) Ephors ('overseers'): 5, elected by Assembly; power to indict kings Assembly of adult (30+) male citizens: power to approve or disapprove proposals Very equal society Militaristic society = meaning CONQUER NOT COLONIZE Warfare called the phalanx = massive training to establish formation of heavily armed soldiers Ordinary citizens controlled the fighting, which led to less class differences NOT a society based on luxury goods MUCH later – decline of Sparta based on the decline in warriors Rejected handicapped and sick children – killed at birth = left on the mountain Boys are enlisted in the army at age 7 – age 20 in the army that they live with until they are 40 years old – eat with the army until age 60 – men marry at age 30 or 20 ** SEE NEXT PAGE DETAILED NOTES ON CHILDREN AND EDUCATION Social hierarchy: Spartan society was divided into three main classes. At the top was the native Spartan, who could trace his or her ancestry back to the original inhabitants of the city. They served in the army and enjoyed the full political and legal rights of the state. Below the Spartiates were the "dwellers around or about." These were foreign people who served as a kind of buffer population between the Spartans and the helots. Because of this vital function, they were accorded a great deal of freedom. Most of the trade and commerce carried out in Sparta were performed by the them. At the bottom, of course, were the helots whose labor gives the Spartiates the prosperity of landowners without the need to farm themselves

Sparta Acropolis Sparta was a city-state. This meant that Sparta was a city inside of the borders of a larger state known as Laconia. However the city of Sparta was by far the most dominant presence, the city controlled all of the land and all of the peoples in the area known as Laconia. As Sparta was the real power in the area and the Spartan people were in control, the civilization and area is recognized under the umbrella term 'Sparta.'

Theater in Sparta

As soon as a child was born in Sparta, the mother would wash it with wine, in order to make sure that it was strong. If the child was weak, it would die soon. Later it was brought by his father to the elders, who inspected carefully the newborn infant. If they found that the child was deformed or weakly, they threw it into a chiasm at a cliff, of the mount Taygetos. Spartan women were so famous for the rearing of children, that they were hired by rich families. When the child completed the age of seven, it was taken from his mother and given to the state. A rigorous discipline and mainly military type education, the so-called Agoge, commenced, lasting twelve years. The boys enrolled in one of the many troops and were drilled in gymnastics, running, jumping, throwing of spear and discus, and also taught to endure pain and hardship, hunger, thirst, cold, fatigue and luck of sleep. They were walking without shoes, bathed at the cold waters of the river and were dressed winter and summer, with the same piece of cloth, which the state gave them once a year. They were not using blankets and were sleeping on top of straws and reeds, which they were cutting without knives from the banks of the rivers. As for proper education, they were taught only the basics of how to read and write and to waste no words speaking to the point. They also learned military poems, war songs, how to dance and recited Homer. The main purpose of Agoge was to discipline the youth. As for the girls, they were also educated in classes under a similar system, but without much rigor and also took part at public competitions as the boys. Their education was ended when they married. Girls received a physical education and ran homes; more rights, especially since men off at war; expected to have healthy sons; got property, but also obeyed male dominance. At the age of twenty, when the Agoge ended, the military service of the Spartan begun. He would join compulsory one of the dining messes or clubs, which were composed from about fifteen members and he will eat and sleep at public barracks, until the age of sixty. At twenty, most of the men and women will also get married. At the age of thirty, the Spartan will become citizen with full rights and duties and he would be able to take part in the assembly of the people and hold public office.

Sparta Theater

Little is known about Dark Age warfare in many previously civilized areas. By 700 BC, however, a new military system called the phalanx had been established in Greece. Phalanx organization. The Greek phalanx was a column formation of heavy infantry carrying long spears, or pikes, and swords. The pikes were six to twelve feet long, much longer than spears of the past. Men in the phalanx carried a round shield called a hoplon, from which the infantry took their name, hoplites. The hoplites wore metal armor on their chests, forearms, and shins at least, plus a metal helmet that covered the head down to the neck. The phalanx in battle. The phalanx was an offensive infantry formation for hand-to- hand shock combat. It usually fought without light troop or cavalry support, which should have been an important disadvantage, but the Greeks largely ignored these auxiliary troops. The Greek armies of the period 700 to 400 BC may have been the only ones in history to rely completely on shock tactics. The clash of phalanxes was resolved entirely in hand-to-hand fighting. Phalanx armies were susceptible to missile and cavalry attacks from the right and rear, but only if the enemy had these units and used them. Phalanx warfare reached its peak in two great fifth-century wars: the war with Persia at the start of the century and the Peloponnesian War near its end. In both wars, sea power played a crucial role, but land fighting centered on the phalanx.

The Persian Wars Ionian city-states rebel and win against Persians – Persian reclaims colonies quickly! Darius I (Persians) versus Themistocles (Athenian) Persians attack at Marathon (490 BC) Athenians WIN at Marathon! Darius I = prepares for attack on Athens, because they were involved in the revolt of the Ionian city states Greek city states in Asia Minor controlled by Lydians, then conquered by the Persians = force military service, tax, tyrant rulers Miletus tyrant Aristagoras, began a democratic rebellion in 499 BC Persuades Athens to support (20 ships) 498 BCE the Athenians conquered and burned Sardis (Lydia capital) and all the Greek cities in Asia Minor joined the revolt Athenians lost interest and went home; by 495 BC, the Persians, under king Darius I (521-486 BC), restored control over the rebellious Greek cities Archon – Themistocles (493 BCE) – encourages Athenians to build a fleet of ships to counter possible attack 490 BCE the Persians attack at Marathon and are forced back to the boats = miracle victory (26 mile run to tell of victory) 490 BC, the Persians launched an expedition against Athens and met by one of their former soldiers, Miltiades (outstanding soldier in the Persian army, but he took to his heels when he angered Darius) who knew the Persian army and he knew its tactics The two armies, with the Athenians led by Miltiades, met at Marathon in Attica and the Athenians roundly defeated the invading army. This battle, the battle of Marathon (490 BC), is perhaps the single most important battle in Greek history – if Athenians lost, Greece would have eventually come under the control of the Persians Athens = Marathon was their greatest achievement = began to think of themselves as the center of Greek culture and Greek power. This pride, or chauvinism, was the foundation on which much of their cultural achievements were built. Archon – Themistocles (to power in 493 BCE) – encourages Athenians to build a fleet of ships to counter possible attack Xerxes (son) = wants to control a Greek empire and punish Athens Athens and Sparta unite against the Persians (only thirty-one decided to resist the Persian army; these states were led by Sparta, Corinth, and Athens: the Greek League – Sparta leader of operations) Themistocles (archon) – has the people leave Athens – Persians burn the city Naval battle with Athens and land battles against Sparta (Thermopylae – land battle) Sea battle off the island of Salamis. The Greeks had slow, clumsy boats in comparison with the Persian boats, so they turned their boats into fighting platforms. They filled their boats with soldiers who would fight with the opposing boats in hand-to-hand combat; it was a brilliant innovation, and the Athenians managed to destroy the majority of the Persian fleet. The Persians withdrew their army. Sparta – very much responsible for victory, but Athenian fleet credited and city-states turn to Athens for the credit… GREEKS WIN!

Marathon

The Persian Wars Xerxes (Darius’ son) attacks Greece for vengeance over first war Athens, Sparta form the Greek League to fight against the Persians Greek VICTORY! Sparta at Thermopylae – 300 versus Spartans on PBS – Watch and learn! Athens at Salamis Athens gets more credit which sets the stage for Greek v Greek! Archon – Themistocles (to power in 493 BCE) – encourages Athenians to build a fleet of ships to counter possible attack Xerxes (son) = wants to control a Greek empire and punish Athens Athens and Sparta unite against the Persians (only thirty-one decided to resist the Persian army; these states were led by Sparta, Corinth, and Athens: the Greek League – Sparta leader of operations) Themistocles (archon) – has the people leave Athens – Persians burn the city Naval battle with Athens and land battles against Sparta (Thermopylae – land battle) Sea battle off the island of Salamis. The Greeks had slow, clumsy boats in comparison with the Persian boats, so they turned their boats into fighting platforms. They filled their boats with soldiers who would fight with the opposing boats in hand-to-hand combat; it was a brilliant innovation, and the Athenians managed to destroy the majority of the Persian fleet. The Persians withdrew their army. Sparta – very much responsible for victory, but Athenian fleet credited and city-states turn to Athens for the credit… GREEKS WIN!

PINK – Greece GREEN – Persian PURPLE – Ionian

Marathon Monument at Delphi Talk about Delphi and Oracle

Results of the Persian Wars Increased Greek sense of superiority Athens emerges as the dominant city-state after Marathon (will upset the Spartans) Athenians formed and dominated the Delian League (coalition of city-states) Delian League – anit-Persian alliance Athens leading area Athens collecting taxes to pay for and maintain navy as well as officials

Yellow = Delian League