1. Ancient Greece and the Persian War
Virginia SOL Standards 5A, 5c, & 5D

2.
Cornell Notes

3. Ancient Greece Map

4. Not able to support a huge population
Limited arable land
Little agriculture
Very mountainous
Surrounded by water
Trade was done by sea
Not able to support a huge population
Geography led to the development of independent city-states throughout Greece.
Greek Geography

5. Mycenaeans and Minoans
Settled in Greece around 2000 BC
Strong kings dominated Greece until about 1100 BC
Fought in the Trojan War
Minoans
Had a complex writing system
Made contact with the Mycenaeans around 1500 BC
Influenced the culture of the Mycenaeans in areas of: religion, literature, politics, and art.
Both civilizations had a tremendous impact on Western civilization
Mycenaeans and Minoans

6. Early Economy and Society
Commerce and trade spread early because of the geographic challenge.
Early shift from a barter economy to a standard coin economy.
Early Economy and Society

7. Political Development
Mountainous terrain both helped and hindered the development of city-states.
Greek cities were designed to promote civic and commercial life.
Colonization was prompted by overpopulation and the search for arable land.
Political Development

8. Women and foreigners had no political rights.
Citizens (free adult males) had political rights and the responsibility of civic participation in government.
Women and foreigners had no political rights.
Slaves had no political rights.
Social Structure

9. Proximity to the sea led to a powerful navy
Some rights for women, but not many
Had a democratic-style government
Emphasized education, culture, and creativity
Athens

10. Located in southern part of Greece – known as Peloponnesus
Oligarchy (rule by a small group)
Rigid social structure
Militaristic and aggressive society
Focused more on land battles
Sparta

11. Persian War – A Common Enemy
Despite their differences, the Persian Wars united Athens and Sparta against the Persian Empire.
Start of War:
Ionian Greeks revolted in Persian territory
Darius, Persian King, vowed to destroy Athens.
Shift from bronze to iron weapons increased the size of military.
Weapons more affordable = more people in military
Soldiers used a strategic formation known as a phalanx:
Soldiers standing closely side by side with spears and shields
Persian War – A Common Enemy

12. Persian War – Battle of Marathon
In 490 BC, 25,000 Persian men cross the Aegean Sea to land at Marathon.
10,000 Athenian men waited for their attack.
Although outnumbered, Athens was victorious.
10,000 Persian casualties and 200 Athenian casualties
A man named Pheidippides ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to share news of the victory.
Persian War – Battle of Marathon

13. Persian War – Battle of Thermopylae and Battle of Salamis
Thermopylae
10 years later, a new Persian leader, Xerxes vowed revenge
Fought in a narrow mountain pass against 7,000 Greeks, including 300 Spartans
Greeks held off Persia for 3 days, but a secret path was found by the Persians, which led to their victory.
Xerxes went on to set fire to Athens
Salamis
Naval battle
Smaller Greek ships were able to outmaneuver Persian ships.
Another victory for the Greeks and a huge turning point
Persian War – Battle of Thermopylae and Battle of Salamis

14. Greek city-states formed the Delian League
Athens preserved its independence and continued innovations in government and culture.
Greek city-states formed the Delian League
Over 200 city-states
Athens used its power to control the Delian League
Persian War - Outcome