1. Section 2: Greek Government and Society
Chapter 5
Section 2:
Greek Government and Society

2. Greek Culture Early on: few could read & write.
Need for Verbal communication
Traveling poets:
Songs, Ballads, Epics

3. Homeric Age Homer: blind poet
700 B.C. – put Oral history into two epics
Did he write these works?
Theater at delphi

4. The Iliad The Iliad: Legend of Trojan War
Paris (Troy) and Helen (Mycenaean): Fall in love and sail back to Troy together.
Greeks attack Troy
Helen and Paris in a loving embrace

5. The Trojan War Lasted 10 years. Greeks: build a wooden horse
hid soldiers inside
Attack: Troy is destroyed.
Achilles: dies in battle
Achilles dragging Hector behind his chariot.

8. The Odyssey The Odyssey: Aftermath of Trojan War
Odysseus: Mycenaean King
story of his journey home
Travels for 10 years
Gods cause problems
Jacob Jodaens Odysseus (1600s)

11. Purpose of Greek Religion
Explain Nature
Explain emotions that interfered with self-control
Bring benefits to Greeks

12. Greek Religious Beliefs
Polytheistic
Did not save Greeks from sin
Afterlife– not a big concern
Everyone went to gray gloomy underworld
Underworld: Neither Punishment/ Reward
Charon the Ferryman of Hades- depicted in Michelangelo’s fresco “The Last Judgment”- controversial for the use of Greek mythological figures in a Christian painting. Dead souls going to hell in the Christian context, the afterlife in the Greek

13. Greek Religion Myths – stories about gods & goddesses
Mount Olympus: home of the gods
Had human qualities
Zeus: King of the Gods
9,570 ft, highest mountain in Greece

14. Greek Gods Uranus and Gaea: ruled the Earth Overthrown by Children
Cronus/Titans
Feared children: Ate them at birth
Titans: Overthrown by kids
Zeus/Olympians
Cronus devouring Poseidon

16. Ruins of Temple of Zeus at Olympia

17. Olympic Games Held every 4 years: Honor Zeus 776 B.C.- Men only
Please the gods
Show strength and bravery
776 B.C.- Men only
Boxing, Races, Javelin, Discus, Wrestling
Winners: Received Olive Wreath (sacred; honor)

19. Ancient Olympic Stadiums

20. Stadium at Delphi

21. Greek Government Kings/Warrior chiefs Nobles/aristocrats Hoplite
Tyrants
Democracy

22. City-States Kings/Chieftains – ruled
Relied on Aristocrats/Nobles
pay for military
support kings
Aristocrats: gained power 700 B.C.
kings overthrown by nobles

23. Aristocracy - “Rule by the Best”
Nobles/Aristocrats
Aristocracy - “Rule by the Best”
Rule by noble class
Control all aspects of life
economy, military, religion, and laws
600 B.C. power weakens

24. Hoplite Non-aristocratic soldier Heavy infantry/long spears
Rose to power b/c they could afford weapons
Heavy infantry/long spears
Hoplite Formation
Important for city-state defense
Farmers and Hoplite: demand change.

26. Tyrants Seized power- had support of the people
BC: ruled many city-states
Absolute ruler abuses power
Evolved into unjust rulers
Overthrown

27. Democracy Popular governments set up Democracy: rule by the people
People can actually rule themselves?!?!
Democracy: rule by the people
Political rights (citizenship) to few
Many cities maintain aristocracy
Ex.Sparta
limited by the people