1. The Ancient World: 500 BCE

3. Greece was divided into several independent and often warring kingdoms
700 BCE – Greek Kingdoms
Greece was divided into several independent and often warring kingdoms
Each king’s power was supported by an army made up of part-time hoplite soldiers
Hoplites were farmers, merchants,and artisans

4. 650 BCE – 500 BCE: Revolt!!!
The Greek people were growing discontent with the power of the kings
Tyrants promised reforms in exchange for the support of the hoplites
Many of the kings were overthrown and tyrants attempted to established their own power
In most cases the tyrants were unsuccessful and were overthrown by hoplites

5. 600 BCE – 300 BCE: The Greek Polis
Greece is once again divided into several (often warring) city-states called polis-political unit made up cities and villages
The type of rule varied: limited democracy (Athens), oligarchy (Sparta), monarchy
Only 10-15% actually were allowed to participate (Athens), oligarchy-ruled by a few people (Sparta)

6. 338 BCE – 31 BCE: The decline of Greece and the Hellenistic Age
Population growth/ limited resources led many Greek Polis to establish colonies around the Mediterranean
Led to spread of Greek culture and political traditions to neighboring people (Romans) and conflict (Persians)
338 BCE: Greece falls to invasion by Macedonia under Phillip II
In 334: Alexander the Great led army to conquer Persians ushering in the Hellenistic Age
The Hellenistic Age ends with the fall of Greece to Rome in 31 BCE

7. Greeks were polytheistic & believed that the gods were immortal but had human qualities; Religion became the basis for Greek mythology
Zeus King of the gods
Athena Goddess of wisdom
Aphrodite Goddess of love
Apollo God of sun & music
Ares God of war
Hades God of underworld
Hera Goddess of family
Poseidon God of the seas
Aphrodite The sensual goddess of Love and Beauty
Apollo The youthful god of the Sun and the Music
Ares The fierce god of War
Artemis The wild goddess of the Hunt
Athena The sophisticated goddess of Wisdom and Arts
Demeter The natural goddess of the Harvest
Dionysus The joyful god of the Wine
Hades The gloomy god of the Underworld
Hephaestus The ill-favored god of Metallurgy
Hera The mature goddess of the Family
Hermes The cunning god of the Trade
Hestia The calm goddess of the Hearth
Poseidon The moody god of the Seas
Zeus The heavenly King of the Gods and ruler of mankind