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The Cradle of Western Civilization
Ancient Greece The Cradle of Western Civilization
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Greece’s Influence on the Modern World
The Olympics Theater Architecture Democracy
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Geography Located on the Southern Baltic Peninsula in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas ¾ of the region is made of low lying rocky mountains and a collection of small rocky Islands. Between the mountains and along the coast are areas suitable for farming. The climate is mild with rainy winters and hot summers.
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Geography of Ancient Greece
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Geographic Advantages
Mountains protect the people from foreign invasions. The weather allows for almost year round farming. Because no region on the mainland is more than 50 miles from each other by sea, Language, religion, and some customs on Greece were very similar and trade was easy.
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Geographic Disadvantages
The mountains made travel and communication difficult between Greek communities. Even though they had the same language and religion, their cultures evolved differently from place to place. Each group set up their own governments and they never united as one nation. This Isolation from each other and disunity created an environment of conflict and warfare.
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The First Greek Civilization
The Minoans BC The First Greek Civilization
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Minoans Ancient Minoans Civilization grew on the island of Crete.
Women held a high status as most gods were female and Minoan chief deity was Mother Goddess as women possessed the ability to bring life. They were sea traders. Their culture mysteriously died out, possible due to volcanic eruption, tidal waves, earth quakes, invasions, or a combination of all. Minoans were though to be a Greek myth until Sir Author Evans, and archeologists unearthed King Minos’s palace and Labyrinth on Crete in 1900. Ancient Minoans
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The Mycenaean Civilization 1600- 1100 BC
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The Mycenaeans Moved into the Balkan Peninsula and intermarried with the local Hellenes people of Greece. They set up independent city states all over the Balkan peninsula. Conquered the Minoans in 1450 BC and adopted the Minoan culture of seafaring and trade. The culture was highly educated and grew wealthy through trade. Began fighting among themselves which left them open to invasion. The most remembered battles were the Trojan Wars.
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Growth of Mycenaean Civilization
Due to successful farming practices, the population of Greece swelled. Greece has few fertile farming lands and many states were unable to produce enough food themselves. Many Greeks went to set up colonies on Ionia to start farms and grow more food to send back to their parent polis. This method was very successful, but Mainland Greece’s parent states relied to heavily on this trade relationship.
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Helen of Troy & The Trojan War
Due Friday: Research the Trojan War and the Odyssey Rewrite a story based on one of these stories. Your story must be set in modern times and have accompanying illustrations. Minimum of 3 pages. Can be done as a short story, graphic novel, or comic strip.
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Dorian Invasion BC
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The Dorians( BC) The Dorians were a warrior group of people with iron weapons that invaded Greece from the north. They also spoke Greek and easily conquered the Mycenaean's with their iron weapons. The 300 year period of Dorian conquest was known as the “Dark Age.” During this period trade stopped, poverty increased, and people lost skills such as craft making & writing. Many Greeks fled to Ionia and continued their culture there.
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Map Greece & Dorian Invasion
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Hellenistic Culture(750- 336 BC)
By 750 BC Dorian influence and power faded. The Ionian Greeks began to reintroduce Mycenaean culture as well as Hellenes culture to create a new civilization, Hellenic Civilization. Though trade with the Phoenicians, they brought back a new alphabet from Ionia and began to write their stories down into long epics. 2 famous Greek Epics are the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer.
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The Greek Polis
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City - States Each city-state was called a polis.
Each polis was built around a hill. At the top of the hill, or acropolis were temples and public buildings. Many city-states were run by an Oligarchy, or a government ran by a few people or Tyrants. Over time people wanted a say in how they were governed. In this democracy was born. Although there were many city-states in Greece, the 2 well known were Sparta and Athens.
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The Warrior City-State
Sparta The Warrior City-State
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Sparta Located in Southern Greece. Economy based on Agriculture.
They were a military society. They shut themselves off from the rest of Greece. They conquered the people around them and enslaved them. These slaves were called Helots. The only job in Spartan society was a soldier. Why a military society? Simple; their slaves outnumbered them 20 to 1. (Revolt 650 BC)
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Sparta Cont. All life centered around the army. It was every man’s goal to be a first rate soldier. Every woman aspired to give birth to first rate soldiers for the polis. Everything was done for the good of Sparta and not the individual.
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Spartan Women Sparta Brought up to be healthy and strong
Fed the same as boys as children Trained in gymnastics, boxing, and wrestling. Not allowed to marry until 19. Had more freedom than other Greek women. Duty was to produce strong Spartan soldiers. Could own property, go in public alone, divorce, and fight men. Could not be in Government. Sparta
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Questions: Review At what age did boys begin military training?
What was life like at the military barracks for Spartan boys? At what age were men considered soldiers and ready for marriage? What was the role of Women in their society? How did Sparta enforce its isolation both socially and culturally? What social problems might arise from a place completely centered on its military and live in almost complete isolation to the outside world? Are their any nations similar to this in our world today?
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Map Activity Use your book or technology to complete map of Ancient Greece. Must use colored pencils to fully color the map and complete neatly.
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The Birthplace of Western Civilization
Athens The Birthplace of Western Civilization
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Origins and Government
Named their polis after the goddess Athena. First ruled by Tyrants who improved on the government by taking power from wealthy ruling families(& Kings)and giving more to citizens. IN 508 BC, a Tyrant named Cleisthenes created the first democracy.
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Citizenship and Democracy
Women and slaves were not considered citizens. All citizens could vote and hold public office. Believed that all citizens were capable of holding government office. No one was voted in. The name of all citizens were place and a lottery names were drawn (500 each year) People were tried in a jury of citizens. Considered innocent until proven guilty.
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Education in Athens A week after birth, all boys were given a name and enrolled as citizens. Boys were sent to school to be educated. Girls were taught how to maintain a household, cook, & were married by 14. School started at age 7 and end at 18. They learned reading, writing, math, geometry, music, drawing, gymnastics, and public speaking. They had to learn the Iliad & Odyssey epics by heart. At 18 they entered the Army for 2 years & took an oath to defend Athens at all costs.
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Compare/ Contrast Create a chart comparing/contrasting the cultures of Athens and Sparta (at least 15 items). What advantages might Sparta have over Athens (and vice-versa)? How might these places (if still in existence) be viewed by today’s standards (both Sparta and Athens)?
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Persian Wars In groups, research and write a synopsis on the Battle of Marathon. Groups involved & the advantages/ disadvantages of each Causes (reason why the war happened) Leaders of Each Army Battle Strategy Outcome Why do you believe Persia felt confident about an easy victory over the Greeks?
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Who’s Who in Ancient Greece
In your notes, identify the contributions of the people listed below. Aristarchus Hippocrates Aristotle Socrates Plato Pythagoras Sappho
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Persian Wars (Causes) Persia had the largest Army in the world at the time and were the super power. The Persians conquered all of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Ionia. The Greeks on Ionia did not like the Persians and planned a revolt with the help of Athens. Athens sent soldiers, ships, and supplies to aid the revolt, but Persia crushed it. Persia became enraged with Athens and vowed revenge.
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Size of Greece compared to Persian Empire
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Battle of Marathon (490 BCE)
Angered, King Darius I sent envoys to all Greek city-states demanding they submit to them (Gifts of soil and water). Many cities submitted, but Athenians threw the messengers of a cliff & the Spartans throw the envoy down a well. Darius invades Greece (Eritrea) burns it to the ground and sells its citizens into slavery then head for Athens. Marathon
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Advantages & Disadvantages
Persians Outnumber Greeks Has Navy, Archers, and Calvary. Well rested Disadvantages No common language Unfamiliar with land Overconfident The Greeks Know the Land Have one culture Superior Equipment Had to Win Disadvantages No Spartans Outnumbered about 3 to 1. Marathon2
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Marathon
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Outcome Of the11,000 Greek soldiers only 192 killed.
Of the close to 30,000 initial Persian Soldiers, 6400 killed. Embarrassing loss for Persia as Darius vows revenge, but he dies. Democracy grows in Athens and becomes the new political system.
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BREAKING NEWS!!!! Create a “Breaking News” newspaper headline and cover of the Pelopennesus War. Be sure to include- Who?- was in it What?- happened, When?- did it happen, Where?- did it happen, Why?- did the war start, and How?- did the Greeks win
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The Persian Wars (Partnered)
On copy paper and notebook paper explain the Persian Wars while creating a map. You should detail the CAUSES, WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BATTLE, and AFTERMATH of each Persian Wars. Include troop sizes, advantages, and disadvantages of each side. Include important people and places that were involved in these events. You should have two maps (1st and 2nd Persian War), and your description of the events as stated above. Maps will be neat, colorful, and detail the events as accurately as possible.
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Questions Create a neat chart detailing the advantages and disadvantages of the Greeks and the Persians during each Persian War. Why do you believe the Persians failed to defeat such a smaller foe in the Persian Wars? How might out world be different if The Greeks had not won the wars against the Spartans? In your opinion, why was it difficult for the Greeks to finally unite after the 2nd Persian War?
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First-up Read Pages You will create a “Breaking News Flash” Telecast on The Wars. Group 1 Battle of Marathon Group 2 Thermopylae Group 3 Salamis Group 4 Peloponnesus War You are news anchors. Create pictures, dialogue, and report events. Be Creative! Does include a short Skit on the battle.
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First up Who was Pericles & how did he transform Athens after the Persian Wars? Why is this period in Greek history called the “Classical Age?” What were 2 causes of the Peloponnesian War? What alliances fought during this period? What role did Persia play during this war? What lasting effects did the Peloponnesian War have on Greece? What opportunities could Greece have capitalized on after the Persian War to improve cooperation and unity throughout Greece?
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