THE GOLDEN AGE OF GREECE

The Power of Greek Myths and Legends  Trojan War- War fought between the Greeks and the people of Troy.  Gods and goddesses helped the heroes on both sides in battle. In ancient Greece, daily life often focused on trying to keep the Gods happy.  Troy- City on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey).  Troy actually existed, but the story of the war is a blend of legend and myth.  Legends- stories about heroes and their deeds.  Myth- are traditional stories that may include gods and goddesses and often try to explain events in nature.

The Power of Greek Myths and Legends Greece’s city-states appear in many myths. For example the Trojan War: Sparta- was the home of Helen, who was carried off to Troy. This started the Trojan war Athens- was named for Athena who helped the Greeks during the war To end the war, the Greeks build a giant wooden horse. The Trojans thought it was a gift to show surrender. They pulled the horse into the city, but it was filled with Greek soldiers.

The Power of Greek Myths And Legends  Homer- a blind Greek poet who wrote two poems about the Trojan War called the Iliad and the Odyssey.  The Iliad- Tells about the war itself  The Odyssey- tells of Odysseus, whose ship was blown off course by the gods when he was traveling home.  Oral Tradition- stories being passed down by word of mouth from person to person.  Today they are among the world’s most famous stories.

The Gods of Mount Olympus  The Greeks believed most Gods lived on Mount Olympus located in northern Greece.  The Greeks believed their gods and goddesses were very much like humans: They argued, fought, fell in love, and were jealous, they looked like humans.  However, they were immortal, or lived forever. They also had special powers.

The Gods of Mount Olympus  The Greeks honored their gods in many ways. Every four years, the Greeks held an athletic contest to honor Zeus. Because the games were held in the city of Olympia, they became known as the Olympic Games.  Boxers, wrestlers, runners, and other athletes came from all parts of Greece to compete.

Gods And Goddesses  Zeus- King of the Gods and ruler of Mount Olympus  Hera- Wife of Zeus: protector of families  Ares- God of War  Athena- Goddess of wisdom  Apollo- God of truth and intelligence  Poseidon- God of the sea  Aphrodite- Goddess of love  Hermes- God of good luck and wealth

The Greeks Clash with the Persians Persia was the strongest military power in the world in 490 B.C.  Persia attacked the Greek mainland with a huge army.  Marathon- The place where the Athenian and Persian armies clashed.  According to legend after the Athenian victory, Pheidippides, a warrior, ran back to Athens with the news. The distance was 25 miles. Today we remember this legend as the name of the longest race, the MARATHON.

The Greeks Clash with the Persians The Greeks knew the Persians would attack again with an even larger army. To survive, Spartans and Athenians put aside their differences and fought together. In 480 B.C. A Greek army held off a much larger Persian army in the mountain pass of north Athens. A small force that included 300 Spartans stood its ground until almost all the soldiers were killed. Salamis- place of a mighty sea battle in which Athenian ships trapped and destroyed the Persian fleet. Working together Sparta and Athens defeated the most powerful empire of its time.

The Golden Age After the defeat of the Persians in 479 B.C., Athens entered a period known as the Golden Age.  Golden Age- time where people of Athens built magnificent temples, statues, and monuments.  Philosophers-people who study truth and knowledge.  Greek Philosophers- Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle.  Reason- logical thinking.

SOCRATES  Tried to teach people to think by asking them questions. Each question was designed to take a person step by step to a final conclusion. Today this approach to teaching is known as the SOCRATIC METHOD.

PLATO  Plato did not believe that democracy was the best kind of government. Rather, he proposed that a small group of wise men should run the government. He thought they could make better decisions than most people. Plato also believed that if humans applied reason, they could create a perfect world.

ARISTOTLE Aristotle was Plato’s student. He wrote more than 170 books on astronomy, physics, politics, art, and other subjects. He established a school in Athens for the study of all branches of knowledge. This school became a model for the modern university.

The Greeks Fight Against Each Other During the Golden Age Athens became the most powerful Greek city-state.  Delian League- alliance formed in Athens.  Peloponnesian War- war between Athens and Sparta caused by resentment of the Delian League.  Plague- fast spreading disease.  A plague broke out in Athens its killed thousands of people in Athens including Pericles (the father of democracy)

Decline of the Greek City States By the end of the Peloponnesian War, Greece had fallen on hard times (Sparta winner)  Mercenaries- Greek hired soldiers  Thebes- Greek city state that finally defeated a weakened Sparta.  Macedonia- New power that began to rise in the north who gave birth to a great leader.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT Alexander’s Conquests  Alexander the Great- Son of Phillip II, king of Macedonia Studied in Athens under Aristotle Became king at age 20 King Phillip II- took over many lands and conquered Greece. He made many enemies and King Phillip II was murdered.

Alexander’s Conquest In 334 BC just two years after he became king of Macedonia, Alexander invaded the Persian Empire.  He defeated the Persians In 332 he invaded Egypt, where the Persians had ruled for 200 years. The Egyptians quickly surrendered and Alexander was crowned pharaoh.

A Great Empire  Everywhere Alexander went he was victorious.  He fell ill at the age of 33 and died.  His rule lasted 13 years and he created a vast empire in Europe, Asia, and Africa.  Hellenistic Age- the blend of Greek and Asian cultures spread by Alexander the Great.

The Hellenistic Age The Hellenistic Age is a period in history defined as the time between the death of Alexander the Great and the rise of Roman domination. During this time, Greek culture was dominant throughout the Mediterranean, thus the name Hellenistic, which is derived from the Greek "Hellas" which means Greece When Alexander died, a power struggle began. Three of Alexander’s generals divided his empire.  Alexander’s cities became centers for trade.  Alexandria- city that was center of trade and learning in Egypt.

Discovery and Invention  Greek Science and Math reached its peak during the Hellenistic Age.  Hippocrates- doctor who looked for natural causes of disease.  Archimedes-most famous inventor of his time.  Pythagoras- famous mathematician