1. Chapter 8
Ancient Greece
Section 1
Geography and the
Early Greeks

2. Geography and the Early Greeks
The Big Idea
Greece’s geography and its nearness to the sea strongly influenced the development of trade and the growth of city-states.
Main Ideas
Geography helped shape early Greek civilizations.
Trading cultures developed in the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations.
The Greeks created city-states for protection and security.

3. Main Idea 1: Geography Shapes Greek Civilization
Mainland Greece is a mountainous peninsula (puh*nihn*suh*luh) – a body of land with water on three sides.
There are also many islands that make up Greece

4. Main Idea 1: Geography Shapes Greek Civilization cont.
The Ionian Sea (eye*oh*nee*uhn) is to the west of Greece, the Aegean Sea (ih*jee*uhn) is to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea is to the south.
Mountains and seas divided early Greek communities.

5. Mountains and Settlements
Mountains and Seas
Mountains and Settlements
Few flat areas of farmland
Villages/towns separated by mountains and seas
Travel was difficult
People created their own governments and saw themselves as separate countries
Seas and Ships
Greeks turned to the seas b/c inland travel was difficult
Seas provided food and transportation/trading
Skilled shipbuilders and sailors, sailing to:
Asia Minor (present-day Turkey)
Egypt
Islands of the Med. and Aegean Seas
Also exchanged ideas w/other cultures

6. Main Idea 2: Trading Cultures Develop
Many cultures settled and developed in Greece. Two of the earliest were the Minoans (muh-NOH-uhnz) and the Mycenaeans (my-suh-NEE-uhns).

7. Main Idea 2: Trading Cultures Develop
Minoans
Spent much of their time at sea
Excellent shipbuilders
Ships carried goods such as wood, olive oil, and pottery all around the eastern Mediterranean
Not considered to be Greek, since they didn’t speak Greek
Civilization declined in the 1600s B.C., possibly from a huge wave and/or ash clouds from erupting volcano
Mycenaeans
The first people to be considered Greek
Lived inland and built fortresses all over mainland Greece – largest/most powerful one called Mycenae
Took over Crete by mid-1400s
Set up colonies in northern Greece and Italy
Often attacked other kingdoms – possibly starting the legendary Trojan War after attacking Troy.
Civilization declined in the 1200s B.C.
Began a period of warfare and disorder called the Dark Age

8. Main Idea 3: Greeks Create City-States
During the Dark Age, the Greeks started joining together in small groups for protection.
These groups set up independent city-states called a polis (PAH-luhs).
The creation of city-states marks the beginning of Greece’s classical age.
A classical age is one that is marked by great achievements.

9. Life in a City-State
Greek cities were usually built around a strong fortress that stood on top of a high hill called the acropolis (uh-KRAH-puh-luhs), surrounded by walls for extra protection.
Life in the city often focused on a marketplace called the agora, (a-guh-ruh) used for trading goods and both political and religious assemblies.
The city-state became the foundation for Greek civilization and gave the Greeks an identity.
People were expected to participate in the economy and government.

10. City-States and Colonization
Life in Greece became more settled, and people agreed that the Greeks should establish colonies.
Groups from city-states around Greece began setting up colonies all around the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
Many big cities around the Mediterranean today began as Greek colonies, including:
Istanbul in Turkey
Marseille in France
Naples in Italy

11. Patterns of Trade
Although the colonies were independent, they often traded with Greek city-states on the mainland.
Sent: Received:
Metals such as wine
copper and iron olive oil
Trade made the city-states wealthy and Greeks became greatest traders in the Aegean region.

12. Chapter 8 Section 2 Government in Athens

13. Government in Athens The Big Idea
The people of Athens tried many different forms of government before creating a democracy.
Main Ideas
Aristocrats and tyrants ruled early Athens.
Athens created the world’s first democracy.
Ancient democracy was different than modern democracy.

14. Main Idea 1: Aristocrats and Tyrants Rule
Greece is the birthplace of democracy – a type of government in which people rule themselves
The word democracy comes from Greek words meaning “rule of the people.”

15. Rule by a Few People
Greece didn’t start out as a democracy.
Early Greeks were ruled by kings, and later aristocrats – group of rich landowners.
A government in which only a few people have power is called an oligarchy.
Common people had little power in government and made an unsuccessful attempt at rebellion in the 600s B.C.
As a result, harsh laws were created by a man
named Draco.

16. Rule by a Few People Cont.
In the 590s B.C., a man named Solon created a set of laws that were much less harsh and made all free men in Athens citizens – people who had the right to participate in government.
However, the Athenians wanted to
end the rule of the aristocracy.

17. The Rise of the Tyrants
In 546 B.C., a noble named Peisistratus (py-SIS-truht-uhs) overthrew the oligarchy and became a tyrant – a leader who held power through the use of force.
Peisistratus brought peace and prosperity to Athens.
After his death, some aristocrats convinced
a rival city-state to attack Athens, and
returned to power for a short time.

18. Main Idea 2: Athens Creates Democracy
Around 500 B.C., a leader name Cleisthenes (KLYS-thuh-neez) gained power.
Even though he was from an aristocratic family, he established a completely new government – democracy.
Cleisthenes is considered the
father of democracy.

19. Democracy under Cleisthenes
Under Cleisthenes, all citizens in Athens had the right to participate in the assembly - gathering of citizens that created laws.
City officials decided which
laws the assembly should discuss.
Voting was usually done by a show of hands, but sometimes they used secret ballots.

20. Athens Under Pericles:
Changes in Athenian Democracy
Athenian democracy reached its height under a leader named Pericles (PER-uh-kleez), who led the government from about 460 B.C. until 427 B.C.
Athens Under Pericles:
Time of creativity and learning (writers, artists, philosophers)
Encouraged Athenians to take pride in their city
Began paying those who served in public office and on juries
Made famous speech called, Pericles’ Funeral Oration
Ordered the construction of the Parthenon

21. The End of Democracy in Athens
In the mid-330s B.C., Athens was conquered by the Macedonians.
Athens kept its democratic government, but decisions could not be made without the approval of the Macedonian king.
In the 320’s B.C., a new king
took over Greece and ended
Athenian democracy forever.

22. Republic

23. Chapter 8/Section 3
Greek Mythology
and Literature

24. Greek Mythology and Literature
The Big Idea
The ancient Greeks created great myths and works of literature that influence the way we speak and write today.
Main Ideas
The Greeks created myths to explain the world.
Ancient Greek literature provides some of the world’s greatest poems and stories.
Greek literature lives on and influences our world even today.

25. Main Idea 1: Myths Explain the World
The ancient Greeks believed in many gods.
These gods were at the center of Greek mythology – stories about gods and heroes that try to explain how the world works, or explain natural or historical events.

28. Gods and Mythology
Because they did not have scientific explanations, the Greeks used mythology to explain things like volcanic eruptions or the changing of the seasons.
In return for the gods’ help, Greeks built great temples to honor them.
A priestess of the god Apollo, the
Oracle of Delphi was often asked
advice from leaders.

29. Heroes and Mythology
Some Greek myths told about the adventures of great heroes, based on both real and fictional people.
Many of these stories featured heroes who had special abilities and faced terrible monsters.
Famous Greek Heroes:
Theseus – killed the Minotaur
Jason – sailed across the seas for treasure
Hercules – Performed impossible tasks

30. Main Idea 2: Ancient Greek Literature
The Greeks also created great works of literature.
Early Greek writers produced long epic poems, romantic poetry, and some of the world’s most famous stories.

31. Homer and Epic Poetry
Among the earliest Greek writings are two epic poems written by the poet Homer, the Iliad and the Odyssey.
The Iliad tells the story of the last years of the Trojan War.
The Odyssey describes the challenges that
Odysseus faced on his way home from the war.
These poems were central to the education system and influenced later writing.

32. Lyric Poetry and Fables
Some poems were set to music.
The writers of these poems were called lyric poets, after their instrument, the lyre.
Today, words to songs are called lyrics.
The most famous lyric poet was a woman named Sappho (SAF-oh).
Fables are short stories that teach the reader lessons about life or give advice on how to live.
Aesop is famous for fables such as “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”
In most of his fables, animals are the main characters and talk and act like humans.

33. Main Idea 3: Greek Literature and Influence
Greek literature influenced modern language, literature, and art.
Many English words and expressions come from mythology, such as “odyssey” and “titanic.”
Moviemakers have borrowed some of these stories.
Mythological references are also
common among names of
sports teams.

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