Ancient Greece Walkabout

Time Line Greek Culture from 1000 B.C.E. to 336 B.C.E. Hellenistic Period: 336 B.C.E. – 150 B.C.E.

Geography Greece is situated on the Balkans Peninsula Surrounded by Seas and covered in Mountains each local city developed their own culture and traditions.

City-States Each individual Greek City created their own culture and political structure Each was separated from the others and geographically isolated Each City-State controlled the area around it and supported itself off of the farms wealth that the land provided.

City-State Political Structures Each City-State had their own political organization. Some were a Monarchy : Controlled by a King Some were an Aristocracy : Controlled by a small group of Nobles who owned a lot of land

City-State Political Structures Others were an Oligarchy : Ruled by a few powerful people. Usually merchants. Some were ruled by Tyrants : a person who had seized power for themselves. Some were Direct Democracies : Ruled by the Citizens who Voted.

City-State Politics Citizens – entitled to certain basic rights. o Citizenship was restricted to Free Adult Males Non-Citizens – farmed and served. Could never become Citizens.

City-State: Athens Most Famous Direct Democracy Focused on Culture: Drama History Math Science

City-State: Athens Architecture – Built the Parthenon : Huge Temple to the Gods Drama: Tragedy & Comedy – two main story types. History: Herodotus was the first Historian

City-State Athens Euclid & Pythagoras – Made great discoveries in Geometry. (Pythagorean Theorem) Math – closely calculated Earth’s true size & circumference Math - Early Ideas about Latitude and Longitude.

City-State: Sparta Military Focused: Warrior Culture. Put Sparta First Focused on rigorous training for men. From age 7 – 30 Spartan Women: Trained too. Known for their strength

Persian War Persia attempted to conquer the Greek peninsula Persian Invasion united most of the City-States to fight against it Battle of Thermopylae : The famous 300 Spartans stood against the Persian Army

Persian War The Greeks won the war after many battles. Ushered in a “ Golden Age ” for Athens Great Wealth and a flowering of Culture

Peloponnesian War War between Sparta & Athens Sparta eventually won the war and ended Athens’ domination of the Greek peninsula

Greek Philosophers Philosopher : Means Lover of Wisdom Socrates: B.C.E. Plato: B.C.E. Aristotle: B.C.E.

Greek Philosophers Socrates : Sought Knowledge and Encouraged citizens to examine their lives Plato: Author of “ The Republic ” a treatise on Govt. that influenced western thought for nearly 1,500 years Aristotle: Focused on Logic. Credited with inventing the Scientific Method.

Alexander the Great Alexander’s Father Philip of Macedon conquered the Greek City-States Philip was assassinated and his son Alexander took the throne at the age of 20.

Alexander the Great Alexander consolidated his power in Greece and then invaded Persia Alexander defeated Persia in battle after battle and soon controlled the entire Persian Empire. He founded Alexandria in Egypt when he conquered that territory.

Alexander the Great After he conquered Persia Alexander turned toward the Indus Valley (modern day India) His troops were tired and threatened to turn around. Alexander turned around and returned to Babylon.

Alexander the Great He died in Babylon shortly after turning around. He had only ruled for 12 years. He was just 32. He had already created one of the largest Empires ever. His Generals fought over the land and divided it up amongst themselves.

Hellenism Alexander’s Conquests spread and fused Greek culture with Persian. This mix of cultures came to be known as Hellenism. His Generals built new cities and ruled over them, preserving and spreading Hellenistic Culture for years.

Hellenism The Hellenistic culture encouraged Astronomy, Math, and Physics. They calculated Pi, Geometric Proofs, and invented advanced technology