1. Early Greek Civilization & The Greek City-States
2.02 Identify the roots of Greek civilization and recognize its achievements from the Minoan era through the Hellenistic period.
2.03 Describe the developments and achievements of Roman civilization and analyze the significance of the fall of Rome.

2. The Impact of Geography
Greece
Mountainous peninsula & numerous islands
About the size of Louisiana
Mountains
80% of area is mountainous
Mountains isolated Greeks from one another
This caused different communities to form their own ways of life

3. The Impact of Geography
Seas
Bordered by seas on east, south & west
Aegean
Mediterranean
Ionian
Has an 8,500 mile coastline
Sailed into the seas to make contact with the outside world
Later established colonies and spread Greek civilization

4. Minoans Flourished from 2700 BC to 1450 BC
Established on island of Crete
Traded with Greeks & Egyptians
Palace at Knossos (NAH.suhs)
Royal seat of the kings
Bathrooms with drains
Giant storerooms
Some believe that a tidal wave triggered by a volcanic eruption devastated the civilization
Most believe an invasion of Mycenaeans actually ended it

5. Mycenae: The First Greek State
Flourished between 1600 BC and 1100 BC
Made up of powerful monarchies
Each lived in a fortified palace center on a hill surrounded by stone walls
Famous for their tombs
Warriors who prided themselves for their battle
Homer wrote about them sacking Troy

6. Changes in the Greek Dark Ages
After the collapse of the Myceneans the Greeks entered a Dark Age from 1100 BC to 750 BC
Population dropped
Food production dropped
Many left the Greek mainland and moved to Ionia (modern day Turkey)

7. Changes in the Greek Dark Ages
Iron replaced bronze
Adopted the Phoenician alphabet which made learning to read and write simpler

8. Homer: Poet of the Dark Ages
Wrote the Iliad & the Odyssey
First great epic poems of Greece
Based on stories that we passed down for generations
Includes story of the Trojan war
Taught values of courage & honor

9. Polis: The Center of Greek Life
Greek city-state
Became central focus of Greek life around 750 BC
Word politics comes from Greek word polis

10. Organization of the Polis
Acropolis
Main gathering place
Usually on a hill
Fortified
Place of refuge during an attack
Sometimes served as a religious center on which temples and public buildings were built as well

11. Organization of the Polis
Agora
Open area
Place where people could assemble
Served as a market

12. Community of the City State
Citizens with political rights
Adult Males
Citizens without political rights
Women & Children
Noncitizens
Agricultural laborers, Slaves, Resident Aliens
Citizens had rights but they also had responsibilities to their city-state

13. Military Systems of the City State
As the city-state developed so did the military system
Hoplites
Heavily armed infantry (foot) soldiers
Each carried
Round shield
Short sword
Thrusting spear
Went into battle as a unit
Marched in a rectangular formation known as a phalanx

14. Tyranny in the City-States
As the Greeks began to increase their trade and set up colonies many became very wealthy
These newly wealthy men wanted power and began to seize from the aristocrats
They were called tyrants however they were not oppressive – they tried to help the poor and launched public works projects
The rule of tyrants did not last long but it helped bring in the rule of democracy

15. Sparta Began to conquer neighboring areas when it needed more land
Made conquered people serfs who had to work for the Spartans
Known as helots
Sparta ran as a military states
Males grew up training to be in the military
Allowed to marry at 20 but lived in barracks until 30
Women had more freedom than other parts of Greece but were expected to stay healthy to bear and raise children

16. Sparta Government Oligarchy headed by 2 kings who led the army
Group of 5 men (the ephors) were elected yearly to handle education and the conduct of the citizens
Council of elders decided on issues that would be brought before the assembly
Assembly = all male citizens
The assembly did not debate – it only voted on issues

17. Athens Unified polis by 700 BC
Ruled by an oligarchy under the control of aristocrats
Civil war seemed likely because of economic problems
Aristocrats gave full power over to Solon in 594 BC

18. Athens Solon Peisistratus Cancelled all land debts
Freed people who were sold into slavery for debts
Peisistratus
An aristocrat
Took power in 560 BC
Gave land to the poor to try to gain favor
Tyranny ended in 510 BC

19. Athens Cleisthenes 508 BC Created a council of 500 to:
Supervise foreign affairs
Oversee the treasury
Propose laws
Athenian assembly given final authority to pass laws after free & open debate
Created the foundations for Athenian democracy