Geography effects Greek Traditions and CustomsGreece- 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 farmlandRugged terrain & mountains-3/4 of Greece dividing it into independent communities

Geography Effect on Social LifeLittle farmland and fresh water- Not able to support a large populationDesire for more living space, grassland for livestock, farmland may have been factors which motivated Greeks to seek new sites for coloniesVaried Climate- 48-80 degrees- Supported outdoor life such as leisure time, outdoor events, dicussions.

Mycenaean Civilization DevelopesIndo-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 MinoansThrough trade or war, Myc. Came into contact with Minoans who influenced them and thus:Saw Value of seaborne tradeAdapted Minoan writing system to Greek languageDecorated vases with Minoan designsMinoans formed the core of Greek religion, art, politics, literature.Westerns Civilization has its roots in the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures

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 WarMyc, 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 campaignsThus Myc. Civilization collapsed after the war

Greek Culture Declines under the DoriansSoon 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 GreeksDorian rule caused economy, trade, and writing to come to a standstill.Thus little is known about these 400 years

Epics of HomerOral tradition taught later Greeks during this time of illiteracyBlind man named Homer composed epics such as the Iliad which forms backdrop of the Trojan War.These give insight to Greek ideal of aretemeaning virtue and excellenceThrough myths, Greeks explained mysteries of nature and human passions.

Different forms of Government EmergeCity-state or polis was the political unit in Greece which included surrounding countrysideThe agora or marketplace was on a fortified hilltop called an acropolis where citizens gathered to discuss politicsMonarchy: Single person ruled governmentAristocracy: inherited rule by small group of noble, land-owning familiesOligarchy: ruled by few powerful/military peopleTyrants: Nobles/ wealthy citizens seized control by appealing to citizens. Worked for interest of ordinary people

Athens Builds Limited DemocracyAthenian 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 DemocracySolon- Outlawed debt slaveryorganized 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 EducationOnly sons of wealthy families received education starting at 7 years old to prepare them to be good citizensStudied grammar, poetry, history, math, music, public speaking, and logic training, and spent part of the day on athleticsGirls stayed at home to learn how to be good wives and mothers. Some were able to read and writeHad very little to do with life outside the home

Sparta Builds A Military StateIn southern Greek known as Peloponnesus, Sparta was cut off from the Greek world by the Gulf or CorinthConquered 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 LifeGovernmentCouncil Elders proposed laws which assembly voted on2 Kings ruled over militaryOligarchyDaily Life centered around military trainingIndividuality discouragedDid not value artsValued duty and disciplineGirls receives some military training Were allowed to run family estates while men were at war

Persian WarsPhalanx 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 diedPersians retreated when they found Athens heavily defended10 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 2Themistocles, 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 AgePericles- wise and able statesman who had 3 goals:Strengthen Athenian DemocracyHold & Strengthen the empireGlorify AthensStrengthen DemocracyIncreased number of public officials who were paid- poor could serveIntroduces Direct DemocracyAthenian EmpireFormed Delian League- used $ from treasury to make Navy strongest in MediterraneanGlorify AthensUsed treasury money to beautify 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 ArchitectureThe Parthenon- temple built to honor Athena built by Phidias. Contained a huge statue of AthenaSculptors captured serene expressions and human body in motion.Values of harmony, order, balance, and proportion became the standard for classical art.

Drama2 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 AthensAristophanes: wrote first great comedies

HistoryHerodotus: pioneered accurate reporting of events and first considered work of history anout Persian WarsThucydides studied past events to aid in the understanding of the present.

Peleponnesian War Ends Golden AgeAthens had stronger navy while Sparta had stronger armySparta 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 TraditionWar caused Athenians to lose confidence in democratic government and they begin to question their valuesGreek Philosophers base their thinking on:The Universe is put in an orderly way and subject to unchanging lawsPeople can understand these laws through logic and reasonSophists were people who questioned traditional ideasProtagoras: Questioned existence of Greek Gods and said there was no universal standard of truth

PhilosophersSocratesSaid “the unexamined life is not worth living”Brought to trial for corrupting the youth and neglecting the city’s gods. PlatoStudent of SocratesWrote The Republic about an ideal societyAristotleInvented scientific method and taught Alexander the GreatApplied his beliefs in various fields

Alexander and MycedoniaMacedonians- lived in rough mountains north of greeceKing Philip 2nd transformed peasants to an armyMac. Defeated Greeks at the Battle of Chaeronea despite Demosthenes warningsAfter Philips murder, Alexander took over

AlexanderFavorite book was the IliadWhen the city of Thebes tried to rebel, Alexander destroyed the city and thus city-states gave up the idea of rebellionHis 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 NileAlex’s victory at Gaugamela ended Persian power

Alexander’s conquest ends Led his army to Indus Valley but exhausted, the army begged to turn backAfter 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 BlendingThe Hellenistic Culture- blending of Persian, Egyptian, and Indian influencesThe Koine language helped the diverse backgrounds to communicateAlexandria- foremost city of commerceContained Alexander's tomb, library, art galleries, a zoo, gardens etc.