THE GOLDEN AGE OF GREECE AND GREEK THOUGHT

BEFORE THE GOLDEN AGE Greco-Persian War- occurred because of Athens’ support of Ionia

Greco-Persian War Map

TWO MAIN BATTLES Battle of Marathon Surprising win for Greeks Story of Pheidippides

BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE 100,000 Persians “defeated” by 7,000 Greeks Story of “300” Spartans Importance?

EFFECTS Iron weapons (used by Greeks) prove better than bronze weapons Creation of phalanx Delian League is formed- leads to Athens’ empire and disputes between Athens/Sparta Begins Golden Age of Athens Greece no longer vulnerable to Persians

WHAT IS A GOLDEN AGE? ATHENS was at the forefront of world in MANY areas In Athens- based on Political, military, intellectual advancement

ARCHITECTURE: THE PARTHENON

WHAT MAKES IT GREAT? Building style (columns, symmetry) Building use (beauty vs. shelter) Influences architecture of future Use of “golden rectangle”- ratio of 1 to

ART:

“THE SCHOOL OF ATHENS” Sculpted their view of Greek gods Showed what they viewed as “beauty” NOT what was real Symmetry again!

THEATRE SOPHOCLES- social critic EURIPIDES- non- religious plays ARISTOPHANES - comedies Comedy/Tragedy

PHILOSOPHY SOCRATES- Socratic method DEMOCRITUS- first to propose atom theory

POLITICS Pericles- stable direct democracy Led programs for poor Known for speeches- funeral oration

ON THE OTHER HAND… Sparta- agricultural economy Government with checks and balances Extremely militarized culture Actually better liked throughout Greece than Athens

ENDED BY: Peloponessian War Death of Pericles- 429 BCE LED TO: New age of Greek thought…WHY?

Peloponnesian War

SPARTA vs. ATHENS Athens= strong navy Sparta= strong army Athens weakened by Sparta burning food supply Plague kills 1/3 of Athens’ population Sparta still unsuccessful in defeating Athens until 404 BCE

THE RESULT Sparta wins- but not really Athens loses empire, power and wealth Athenians lose confidence in democracy Sparta also sapped of resources and declines both economically and militarily