1. Key Concept 2:. The Development of States and Empires
Key Concept 2: The Development of States and Empires Mediterranean Region: Greece

2. Classical Greece, 800 – 350 B.C.E.

3. Early Development Minoan society Island of Crete
Best example of Minoian culture: Knossos
Ca B.C.E.,
center of maritime trade
Linear A script
Scholars unable to decipher Linear A script

4. Early Development Mycenaean Society Influenced by Minoan culture
Indo-European invaders descend through Balkans into Peloponnesus, ca B.C.E.

5. Chaos in Eastern Mediterranean
Trojan War, ca B.C.E.
Homer’s Iliad
Sequel: Odyssey
Political turmoil & chaos (1100 to 800 B.C.E.) results in decline and disappearance of Mycenaean civilization

6. The Polis City-state – main political structure of ancient Greeks.
Highly independent from each other
Monarchies
“Tyrant,” not necessarily oppressive, usually a general or politician who gained power by irregular means
Early democracies

7. Sparta Highly militarized society Subjugated peoples: helots
Serfs, tied to land
Outnumbered Spartans 10:1 by sixth century B.C.E.
Military society developed to control threat of rebellion

8. Spartan Society Boys removed from families at age seven
Received military training in barracks
Active military service follows
Marriage, but no home life until age 30
Some relaxation of discipline by fourth century C.E.

9. Athens Development of early democracy
Free adult male citizens only
Women, slaves excluded
Contrast Athenian style of government with Spartan militarism

11. Solon and Athenian Democracy
Aristocrat Solon mediates crisis
Aristocrats to keep large landholdings
But forgive debts, ban debt slavery
Removed family restrictions against participating in public life
Instituted paid civil service

12. Pericles Ruled 461-429 B.C.E. High point of Athenian democracy
Aristocratic but popular
Massive public works
Encouraged cultural development
Athens became most sophisticated Polis

13. Classical Greece and the Mediterranean Basin, 800-500 B.C.E.
What effects do you think there were as a result of Greek colonialism?
Classical Greece and the Mediterranean Basin, B.C.E.