Section III: The Golden Age of Athens (Pages ) This section is about: This section is about: How Athens, under Pericles expanded its democratic government, prospered economically, and experienced a golden age in which architecture, literature, and philosophy flourished. How Athens, under Pericles expanded its democratic government, prospered economically, and experienced a golden age in which architecture, literature, and philosophy flourished. How the Peloponnesian War brought an end to Greek unity. How the Peloponnesian War brought an end to Greek unity.

When the Persian Wars were over, Athens was messed up. When the Persian Wars were over, Athens was messed up. But in a short time they were the richest, most powerful city-state in Greece. But in a short time they were the richest, most powerful city-state in Greece. One way that got rich was by demanding tribute from the other members of the Delian League. One way that got rich was by demanding tribute from the other members of the Delian League. This led to the birth of the Athenian Empire (their “classical age”). This led to the birth of the Athenian Empire (their “classical age”). Politics, Art, and Literature flourished, there was order, balance, and harmony in Athens. Politics, Art, and Literature flourished, there was order, balance, and harmony in Athens. It’s also called the Age of Pericles (Athens ruler at the time). It’s also called the Age of Pericles (Athens ruler at the time).

Pericles believed in a direct democracy With many people active in government. With many people active in government. They served in the assembly – or on a jury – a group of people who make a decision (they even got paid for it). They served in the assembly – or on a jury – a group of people who make a decision (they even got paid for it). This was done “by lot” – picked at random. This was done “by lot” – picked at random. They used a lot of juries ( per day). They used a lot of juries ( per day). Even though anyone could become a public official, you had a better chance if you were rich (they had better knowledge, experience, and time) Even though anyone could become a public official, you had a better chance if you were rich (they had better knowledge, experience, and time) The assembly also had the power to hold an “unpopularity contest” to get rid of people The assembly also had the power to hold an “unpopularity contest” to get rid of people

As he was a great speaker, Pericles… Convinced Athenians to re- build Athens (from tribute money and Athenian silver mines) Convinced Athenians to re- build Athens (from tribute money and Athenian silver mines) Other city-states didn’t like their money going to that, but Pericles said Athens could use it’s money any way it wanted to (since he was protecting them with part of it). Other city-states didn’t like their money going to that, but Pericles said Athens could use it’s money any way it wanted to (since he was protecting them with part of it). Money (a tax? paid for “protection”)

Athens’ Golden Age culture Greek citizens developed their own styles of architecture, art, and literature. Greek citizens developed their own styles of architecture, art, and literature. Athens experienced a “Golden Age.” Athens experienced a “Golden Age.” Athens was a place for artists, writers, and thinkers to dare to ask questions. They weren't depending on the gods for their answers – they wanted to find out why for themselves. Athens was a place for artists, writers, and thinkers to dare to ask questions. They weren't depending on the gods for their answers – they wanted to find out why for themselves.

Architecture and Art A time when they built magnificent temples for their gods and for public / commercial uses (Homes were pretty basic though). A time when they built magnificent temples for their gods and for public / commercial uses (Homes were pretty basic though). A lot of great paintings, sculpture, and ceramics comes from this time (with heroic acts of the gods, historical events, and daily life). A lot of great paintings, sculpture, and ceramics comes from this time (with heroic acts of the gods, historical events, and daily life). Humans in art at this time were not shown as they really were, but in nearly ideal and perfect form. Humans in art at this time were not shown as they really were, but in nearly ideal and perfect form.

Earliest Greek writing was done in poetry, but one of their great innovations was drama (usually in open air theaters – done by men) Plays could be tragedies or comedies. Tragedies explored deep ideas and conflicts (with lots of suffering and misery). Plays could be tragedies or comedies. Tragedies explored deep ideas and conflicts (with lots of suffering and misery). Comedies often poked fun at leaders and their policies. Comedies often poked fun at leaders and their policies. They even had drama contests – with rules to make them fair. They even had drama contests – with rules to make them fair. The Father of History (Herodotus) would even research the past to make sure he had good plays. The Father of History (Herodotus) would even research the past to make sure he had good plays.

The Three Great Thinkers were Philosophers who asked: Where did the world come from?” and What is the world made of?” SocratesPlatoAristotle Believed that goodness is knowledge and that doing evil is worse than suffering from evil. Young people loved him, but others said he was corrupting the youth. A jury sentenced him to death and he killed himself by drinking hemlock (a powerful poison) Was a student of Socrates. Most of what we know about Socrates is because Plato “took notes.” Plato wrote about “the ideal society,” the nature of goodness and friendship, and the idea of truth. He started a school called “the Academy.” Was a student of Plato. He was a teacher of a guy named Alexander the Great (will come along a little later). He set up a school that taught his students to learn by observation. He considered what makes a good life and studied which governments were the best. He favored moderation – and avoiding extremes (liked the middle class)

Plato Aristotle Socrates

The Peloponnesian War Many of the great men of Athens fought in the Peloponnesian War. Many of the great men of Athens fought in the Peloponnesian War. Athens vs. Sparta Athens vs. Sparta Sparta led an army into Attica (an area near Athens). Sparta led an army into Attica (an area near Athens). The Athenians didn’t fight – they retreated back to their walled city (bad idea). The Athenians didn’t fight – they retreated back to their walled city (bad idea). A plague broke out in Athens and many died (while the Spartans were destroying the surrounding countryside). A plague broke out in Athens and many died (while the Spartans were destroying the surrounding countryside). Even Pericles died from the plague during this time. Even Pericles died from the plague during this time.

Fighting continued for 8 more years There was peace for a while – until the Athenians invaded Sicily (where they were defeated). There was peace for a while – until the Athenians invaded Sicily (where they were defeated). Athens was having struggles back home for power (an oligarchy even took over for a while). Athens was having struggles back home for power (an oligarchy even took over for a while). Finally, the Spartans surprised and destroyed the Athenian Navy and Athens was starved into surrender by a Spartan blockade. Finally, the Spartans surprised and destroyed the Athenian Navy and Athens was starved into surrender by a Spartan blockade. Even though the war was over, there would not be Greek unity (not 1 big empire). Even though the war was over, there would not be Greek unity (not 1 big empire).

Horrible Histories: Socrates Death