Classical Greece

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By: Ms. Buffalino

Text book Pages 231-234

Aim: What is the most important

accomplishment that is given to us from the

ancient Greeks?

Definition:

Classical Civilizations

• Societies whose structures

influenced subsequent societies

long after the original classical

societies had disappeared.

• These civilizations developed

innovations that became long-term

patterns for subsequent societies

and cultures.

The Geography of Greece The Geography of Greece

• Peninsula (mainland)

• Archipelago

• Mountainous

• Rugged topography

• DEVELOPED CITY-STATES AS A

RESULT

Classical Greece

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Culture

o Athens – valued education,

importance on human effort.

o Humanism – individual achievement.

o Philosophy – Aristotle, Socrates, Plato

o Developed sculpture, literature, math,

written language, record keeping.

o Polytheism

Political Organization

o POLIS – center of city-states

o Athens

o Acropolis – hilltop

o Athens – first ruled by tyrants who

gained power from military expertise

o Direct democracy

o Pericles

o Developed colonies along the

Mediterranean

Political Organization

o Sparta

o Military state

o Women had more rights

o Strong military

o Developed colonies along the

Mediterranean

o Peloponnesian War (conflict between

Athens and Sparta) 431 to 404 B.C

Social Structure

o Sparta theoretically equal; wealth

accumulation not allowed.

o Slavery widely practiced throughout.

oWomen had relative freedom; women in

Sparta encouraged to be physically fit,

treated better than women in Athens.

o Athens – equality for free males,

women and slaves had little freedom.

Homer

Classical Greece

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Minoan Greece

• Bronze age (most developed in metal

working)

• 2700 to 1450 BC

• Island of Crete cultural achievements

took place.

• Benefited through sea-trade.

Crete: Minoan Civilization (Palace at Knossos)

Knossos: Minoan Civilization Minoan Civilization

Classical Greece

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The Mycenaean

Civilization • Is a cultural period of Ancient Greece

taking its name from the

archaeological site of Mycenae

• The last phase of the Bronze Age in

Ancient Greece, it is the historical

setting of much ancient Greek

literature and myth, including the epics

of Homer.

• Benefited through conquest.

The Mycenaean

Civilization

The Parthenon - Acropolis

The Parthenon The Lincoln Memorial

Classical Greece

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Olympia

776 BC Approximately

The Ancient Olympics:

Athletes & Trainers

The Classical Greek

“Ideal”

Golden “Age of

Pericles”: 460 BCE – 429 BCE

All male citizens could participate in the

assembly.

18 years of age = citizenship

Private education for males 7-18.

(math, literature, music, and rhetoric as training

for citizenship)

Council of 500 – large scale jury system

(bureaucracy)

Magistrates

(oversaw trials)

Democracy

Classical Greece

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Direct Democracy in Greece

• Vote on the issues

• Periclean democracy

–Athens's

“Golden Age”

Pericles’ Funeral Oration "We are a democracy because the power to make the laws is given to

the many rather than the few. But while the law gives equal justice to

everyone, it has not failed to reward excellence. While every citizen

has an equal opportunity to serve the public, we reward our most

distinguished [best] citizens by asking them to make our political

decisions. Nor do we discriminate against the poor. A man may serve

his country no matter how low his position on the social scale.

An Athenian citizen does not put his private affairs before the affairs

of the state; even our merchants and businessmen know something

about politics. We alone believe that a man who takes no interest in

public affairs is more than harmless—he is useless.”

—"Pericles’ Funeral Oration"

Athens, 5th century BC

What is the duty of the Athenian citizen?

Socrates Plato Aristotle

Socratic Method of

questioning as a

learning tool.

Wrote The Republic

Favored a strong,

controlling

government

Developed ideas on

government

Favored the one strong

and wise rule as best

form.

Considered to be first

western philosopher

Society has three

classes: Philosophers,

Soldiers, and Workers

Human reason was the

key to learning