World History Chapter 5: Classical Greece
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Transcript of World History Chapter 5: Classical Greece
Geography effects Greek Traditions and Customs
Greece- Mountainous peninsula jutting out into Mediterranean sea.
Lived around the seaNeighboring Seas were transportation routes
connecting Greece to other societies since Greece lacked natural resources i.e. timber, metal, arable farmland
Rugged terrain & mountains-3/4 of Greece dividing it into independent communities
Geography Effect on Social Life
Little farmland and fresh water- Not able to support a large population
Desire for more living space, grassland for livestock, farmland may have been factors which motivated Greeks to seek new sites for colonies
Varied Climate- 48-80 degrees- Supported outdoor life such as leisure time, outdoor events, dicussions.
Mycenaean Civilization Developes
Indo-Europeans migrated form Eurasian steppes to Greek mainland later known as Mycenaeans.
Located in southern Greece surrounded by thick wall which could withstand almost any attack.
Warrior-king ruled surrounding villages, farms, and city-states such as Athens.
Contact with Minoans
Through trade or war, Myc. Came into contact with Minoans who influenced them and thus:
Saw Value of seaborne trade Adapted Minoan writing system to Greek
language Decorated vases with Minoan designs
• Minoans formed the core of Greek religion, art, politics, literature.
• Westerns Civilization has its roots in the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures
Mycenaeans Fight The Trojan War
Myc, fight a 10-year war against Troy in Anatolia
Legend says Trojan prince captured Helen, wife of Greek King.
Historians originally thought these legends were fictional, however, excavations prove the Trojan War was one of the last Myc. Battle campaigns
Thus Myc. Civilization collapsed after the war
Greek Culture Declines under the Dorians
Soon after Trojan War, sea raiders attacked and burned Myc. cities.
Soon, Dorians moved in- spoke dialect of Greek and may have been relatives of Bronze-Age Greeks
Dorian rule caused economy, trade, and writing to come to a standstill.
Thus little is known about these 400 years
Epics of Homer
Oral tradition taught later Greeks during this time of illiteracy
Blind man named Homer composed epics such as the Iliad which forms backdrop of the Trojan War.
These give insight to Greek ideal of arete meaning virtue and excellence
Through myths, Greeks explained mysteries of nature and human passions.
Different forms of Government Emerge
City-state or polis was the political unit in Greece which included surrounding countryside
The agora or marketplace was on a fortified hilltop called an acropolis where citizens gathered to discuss politics
Monarchy: Single person ruled government Aristocracy: inherited rule by small group of noble, land-
owning families Oligarchy: ruled by few powerful/military people Tyrants: Nobles/ wealthy citizens seized control by
appealing to citizens. Worked for interest of ordinary people
Athens Builds Limited Democracy
Athenian reformers moved toward democracy, rule by the people. Citizens participated directly in political decision making.
Draco- developed legal code based on idea that all people
were under equal law regardless of wealth. Upheld debt slavery dealt harshly with criminals making death a common
punishment.
Contributors to First Steps of Democracy
Solon- Outlawed debt slavery organized citizens according to wealth. Only top 3 classes could hold political office but all could
participate in assembly. Introduced concept that all citizens could bring charges against
wrongdoers.
Cleisthenes- Organized citizens into 10 groups based on location instead of
wealth. Increased power of assembly by allowing citizens to submit
laws for debate. Created Council of 500 which proposed laws and counseled
assembly. Members were chosen by random. Reforms allowed Athenians to participate in limited democracy
Athenian Education
Only sons of wealthy families received education starting at 7 years old to prepare them to be good citizens
Studied grammar, poetry, history, math, music, public speaking, and logic training, and spent part of the day on athletics
Girls stayed at home to learn how to be good wives and mothers. Some were able to read and write
Had very little to do with life outside the home
Sparta Builds A Military State
In southern Greek known as Peloponnesus, Sparta was cut off from the Greek world by the Gulf or Corinth
Conquered neighboring Messenians who became helots, peasants forced to stay on the land they worked.
Messenian revolt shocked the Spartans when they realized their vulnerability and decided change into a strong city-state.
Government and Daily Life
GovernmentCouncil Elders
proposed laws which assembly voted on
2 Kings ruled over military
Oligarchy
Daily Life centered around military training
Individuality discouraged
Did not value artsValued duty and
disciplineGirls receives some
military training Were allowed to run
family estates while men were at war
Persian Wars
Phalanx invented- foot soldiers or hoplites stood side by side holding a spear and shield
In 490 B.C. Greeks defeated Persians Pheidippides ran 26 miles from Marathon to
Athens to deliver message of Persian defeat and then died
Persians retreated when they found Athens heavily defended
10 years later, Darius’ son Xerxes went to Thermoplyae to fight 300 Spartans and 7000 Greeks. The Spartans sacrificed themselves for Greek forces to retreat
Persian Wars 2
Themistocles, an Athenian leader convinces Athens to evacuate and fight at sea near the island of Salamis.
Greeks destroyed 1/3 of Persian fleetBattle of Plateau- Greeks again defeated
PersiansDelian League was formed a year later from
city-stae alliances. They drove Persians from surrounding territories in Greece and ended threats of future attacks.
Pericles Brings Greece’s Golden Age
Pericles- wise and able statesman who had 3 goals:
Strengthen Athenian Democracy Hold & Strengthen the empire Glorify Athens Strengthen Democracy• Increased number of public officials who were paid- poor
could serve• Introduces Direct Democracy
Athenian Empire• Formed Delian League- used $ from treasury to make Navy
strongest in Mediterranean Glorify Athens• Used treasury money to beautify Athens.
Art and Architecture
The Parthenon- temple built to honor Athena built by Phidias. Contained a huge statue of Athena
Sculptors captured serene expressions and human body in motion.
Values of harmony, order, balance, and proportion became the standard for classical art.
Drama
2 kinds, Tragedy and ComedyAeschylus: was a famous writer who wrote
Orestria which examines the idea of justiceSophicles: wrote Oedipus the KingEuripedes: wrote Medea and included
strong women.Comedy showed the freedom and openness
of public discussion that existed in democratic Athens
Aristophanes: wrote first great comedies
History
Herodotus: pioneered accurate reporting of events and first considered work of history anout Persian Wars
Thucydides studied past events to aid in the understanding of the present.
Peleponnesian War Ends Golden Age
Athens had stronger navy while Sparta had stronger army
Sparta burned AthensPericles responded by bringing residents into
city wallsHowever, the plague struck and Pericles diedWar continues for year but eventually lead to
a truceSoon after, Sparta destroyed Athens they
surrendered
Philosophers Question Tradition
War caused Athenians to lose confidence in democratic government and they begin to question their values
Greek Philosophers base their thinking on: The Universe is put in an orderly way and subject to unchanging
laws People can understand these laws through logic and reason
Sophists were people who questioned traditional ideas
Protagoras: Questioned existence of Greek Gods and said there was no universal standard of truth
Philosophers
Socrates Said “the unexamined life is not worth living” Brought to trial for corrupting the youth and
neglecting the city’s gods.
Plato Student of Socrates Wrote The Republic about an ideal society
Aristotle Invented scientific method and taught Alexander the
Great Applied his beliefs in various fields
Alexander and Mycedonia
Macedonians- lived in rough mountains north of greece
King Philip 2nd transformed peasants to an army
Mac. Defeated Greeks at the Battle of Chaeronea despite Demosthenes warnings
After Philips murder, Alexander took over
Alexander
Favorite book was the IliadWhen the city of Thebes tried to rebel, Alexander
destroyed the city and thus city-states gave up the idea of rebellion
His victory at Granicus against Persian forces scared Darius the 3rd
The following battle gave Alex the power over AnatoliaAfter rejecting Darius’ peace offering, Alex marched to
Egypt where he was crowned pharaoh and named liberator and founded Alexandria at the mouth of the Nile
Alex’s victory at Gaugamela ended Persian power
Alexander’s conquest ends
Led his army to Indus Valley but exhausted, the army begged to turn back
After Alexander died of illness, his henerals fought over control and eventually the kingdom was split into its original, separate regions
The result of Greek and Eastern Blending
The Hellenistic Culture- blending of Persian, Egyptian, and Indian influences
The Koine language helped the diverse backgrounds to communicate
Alexandria- foremost city of commerceContained Alexander's tomb, library, art
galleries, a zoo, gardens etc.