Democracy and Greece’s Golden Age Chapter 5 -3 Democracy and Greece’s Golden Age

What is democracy?

Age of Pericles After the victory against the Persians, Athenians and othercity-states form an alliance known as the Delian League Athens creates an empire by controlling the Delian League II. Pericles is the main figure of politics in Athens from 461 -429 B.C. This time is known as the Age of Pericles III. Democracy and culture thrive during this golden age of Greece Direct democracy is practiced at this time People participating in voting through mass meetings

Age of Pericle’s Only men that were citizens of Athens could participate All who attended the assemblies could speak. Pericles makes lower classes citizens eligible for public office Ostracism is developed to protect against ambitious leaders Athens is rebuilt as architecture, and philosophy flourish.

Art and Architecture Glorifying Athens Pericles also used money from the Delian League to beautify Athens. Without the league’s approval, he persuaded the Athenian assembly to vote huge sums of the league’s money to buy gold, ivory, and marble. Still more money went to pay the artists, architects, and workers who used these materials.

Art and Architecture The Parthenon, a masterpiece of architectural design and craftsmanship, was not unique in style. Rather, Greek architects constructed the 23,000-square-foot building in the traditional style that had been used to create Greek temples for 200 years.

The Great Peloponnesian War III. Begins in 431 B.C. Cultures are simply too different to get along Sparta attacks and Athens goes on the defensive behind their walls rather than fighting in the open In 430 B.C. a plague breaks out in Athens, killing a third of the people Pericles dies the following year Athens and Sparta fight for another 25 years in various battles throughout Greece Eventually in 404 B.C. the Spartans defeat the Athenians in a naval battle Both states are dramatically weakened from the long war 1. They also ignore a growing presence in Macedonia which will ultimately cost both city-states

Please study the map…

Culture – Religion a. Greeks believed in many gods and goddesses B. The most important are the 12 gods Zeus Athena Aphrodite Apollo Poseidon Hermes Hera Ares Artemis Hades Demeter Dionysus Greek religion was not about morality but about understanding the world.

Culture Oracles Greeks wanted to know the will of the gods The consulted shrine, and priests would interpret the future through consultation with dates Several different interpretations could be made They had lots of ceremonies and festivals dedicated to the gods. They felt that they needed to keep the gods pleased with them. One of the most famous Olympics 776BC.

Culture

Philosophy Philosophy - Love of wisdom and organized system of rational thought Sophists – Thought it was beyond humans to understand the universe Important for individuals to improve themselves There was no right or wrong- only what is right for a person

Philosophy Socrates Left no writings Believed the goal of education is to improve the soul His Socratic method is still used today helps lead students to ask question to help them learn for themselves. Socrates questioned authority and eventually was accused of treason

Philosophy Plato Student of Socrates Material objects appear in the world they are shadows of universal form Believed that men and women should have equal rights Aristotle Pupil of Plato He does not believe in a world of ideals He is more observation and investigation Wrote about biology and poetry Felt that a constitutional government was the best form

Please research the following Philosophers and fill in the time, Beliefs and impact.