1. Around 800 B.C., Greece began to establish settlements. At first most Greeks lived in small villages. However, the growth of trade helped villages grow into towns. In time, each town joined with nearby villages and farms to form a POLIS, or city-state.

2. To protect themselves from invaders, Greek communities built forts on the tops of the hills. Farmers from the countryside moved to these protected areas during enemy attacks. Later the fortress, or ACROPOLIS (High City), became the center for daily life in many city-states. Partheon famous temple to goddess Athena http://www.airpano. ru/files/Acropolis- Athens-Greece/2-2

3. Outside the acropolis were houses, temples, and market gathering places called an AGORA. People met in the agora to exchange goods, politics, and discuss the news of the day. AGORAPHOBIA –fear of public places, crowds

4. All Greek city-states shared the following characteristics: Small Size (30-500 sq. miles) – Athens (Rhode Island) – Sparta (Connecticut) Small Population Set on a hill – Acropolis (Temples and other public buildings) Public meeting place for citizens to gather – Agora

5. Sense of Identity: Great loyalty to polis (Sparta, Athens..etc.) rather than country Unique forms of govt, laws, calendars, money, gods…etc. Sense of Unity: Spoke the same language – Alphabet based on the Phoenician alphabet Greek descendants of the hero Hellen Religious ideas, festivals (Olympics)…etc.