Ancient Greece

World History 9thMs. Stephanie Custodio

SECTION 1-THE RISE OF GREEK CIVILIZATION

Greece is a country made up of peninsulas. A Peninsula is an area of land surrounded by

water on three sides. Because of the mountains, only 1/5 of Greece is

good for growing crops; Greeks became traders and conquerors.

Because of Greece´s geography, each community developed its own customs, beliefs, traditions and ways of life, thinking of their own community as the best.

GREECE´S GEOGRAPHIC SETTING

ANCIENT GREECE

The two most important Greek civilizations are:1. The Minoans:

a) They lived on the island of Crete. Crete is washed by the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.

b) They created the ancient city of Knossos, which was destroyed in the middle 1400s B.C.

c) Developed writing, worshipped several gods and goddesses.

2. The Mycenaean:a) With the fall of the Minoans, the Mycenaean

controlled both seas.b) Used writing, gained a lot of power through trade,

relied upon conquest.

GREEK BEGINNINGS

The Trojan war was a long

struggle between Greece and the city of Troy.

According to the myths, the Greeks conquered Troy with a trick—The Trojan horse.

Two epics (Long story-telling poems) about the Trojan War survive today:

The Iliad The Odyssey

THE TROJAN WAR

After the Trojan war, Greece collapsed and as

a consecuence they forgot the art of writing. The years from early 1100s B.C. to about 750

B.C. have been called Greece´s Dark Ages. As a result they started to build family farms

that later developed into villages. Greeks used fortified hills (Acropolis) to

protect them from attacks.

THE DARK AGES OF GREECE

The Acropolis became tiny city nations called

city-states. They are not only cities, but also a separate independent state.

The city-states were ruled by Aristocrats (Members of the rich and powerful families).

Later on, the Aristocrats were overthrown by Tyrants (A ruler who seized power by force).

CITY-STATES DEVELOP

With time, Tyrants were overthrown and

democracy was formed. In a democracy, citizens govern themselves.

An Athenean leader names Solon created several laws that reformed the government. A law that canceled all debts and freed

enslaved people. Another law that allowed any male citizen aged

18 or older to have a say in debating important laws.

DEMOCRACY IN GREECE

SECTION 2-RELIGION PHILOSOPHY, AND

THE ARTS

The years from 479 B.C. to 431 B.C are called the

Golden Age of Athens. Athen´s wealth grew due to the Tributes

(payments) made to them by their allies. Great achievements were made in art, philosophy,

literature and democracy. Pericles was the most powerful man in Athenian

politics. He supported democracy. One of his greatest accomplishments was the

construction of the Parthenon. Built to honor the goddess Athena.

THE GOLDEN AGE OF ATHENS

The Parthenon

The Parthenon

Greeks worshipped a family of gods and

goddesses called “The Twelve Olympians”. Gods were immortals and had awesome

powers. Zeus ruled the gods and humanity. Athena was the patron goddess of Athens.

The Greeks visited oracles (Sacred sites where it was believed the gods spoke) for signs or advice.

ANCIENT GREEK RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

Most Greeks believed that their gods were

responsible for all natural events. Philosophers believed that people could use

the powers of the mind and reason to understand natural events. Thales, believed that water was the basic

material of the world. Democritus, thought that everything was made

of tiny particles called “atoms”.

THE SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE

Socrates, wanted people to consider the true meaning of

qualities such as justice and courage. His most important lesson was “Know thyself”. He was accused of dishonoring the gods and he was sentenced to death by forced suicide.

Plato, Socrate´s student, wrote that society should be made by three groups: workers, soldiers and philosopher-rulers. He founded the “Academy”. Where he taught Aristotle.

Aristotle believed that reason should guide the pursuit of knowledge. He founded the “Lyceum”.

WATCH VIDEOS FROM THE WIKI

THE SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE

The Greeks are known for their arquitecture, sculpture (to

honor their gods) and for their playwrights. The Parthenon, their most magnificent work.

It was made of fine marble, rows of columns surrounded it on all four sides.

Inside, the statue of Athena, it was made of wood, ivory, and gold.

WATCH VIDEO OF THE PARTHENON IN THE WIKI Three important characteristics of the scenes that decorate

the Parthenon:1. They are full of action.2. Perfectly arranged figures that showed balance and order.3. The sculptures are life-like and accurate, and are ideal views

of humans and animals. Goal of Greek art: to present images of perfection in a balanced

and orderly way.

VISUAL AND DRAMATIC ARTS

Athenians- first people known to write dramas. Their most famous plays were tragedies:

A serious story that usually ends in disaster for the main character.

Consisted of several scenes that featured the characters of the story.

Between the scenes, a chorus chanted or sang poems. Author used the chorus to give background information,

comment on the events, or praise the gods. During the 400s B.C., poets wrote comedies that made fun

of well-known citizens and politicians and made jokes of the customs of daily life.

VISUAL AND DRAMATIC ARTS

Greeks had strong patriotic feelings and valued their

freedom. For this reason, they were able to develop new ideas in philosophy, religion, government, and the arts (because of the value of free thinking).

Greece had many competing city-states, but their citizens spoke the same language and shared customs. They called themselves “Hellenes”. The Olympic Games is one of the best examples of

their common culture. They were held every four years throughout ancient Greece. Athletes competed in running, horse racing, boxing, and many other events.

MANY CITY-STATES, ONE PEOPLE

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