The Greek civilization originated in the Balkan Peninsula and islands of the Mediterranean in the 8th century BC. They lived in independent city-states called poleis, with their own governments like Athens and Sparta. Poleis were initially ruled by aristocracies but some later transitioned to democracies. During a period of overpopulation and famine, many Greeks migrated and established colonies across the Mediterranean, spreading Greek culture and influence. Greek society was divided between citizens and non-citizens including foreigners, slaves, and women who had few rights.

1.  The Greek civilization
started in the Balkan
Peninsula, but some Greeks
lived in islands and in Asia
Minor (Turkey)
 They started to live
together in city-states or
polis, which had its own
government, laws and
army. Athens and Sparta
were important city-states.

2.  The rulers of the polis were rich people,
or aristoi, and so this form of
government was called “aristocracy“aristocracy”.
Sparta was an example of aristocratic
government.
 Later, in some polis, “democracy”,
replaced aristocracy. People met at
“assemblies” to make decisions and
choose their representatives. They also
created “councils” which prepared
subjects to discuss at assemblies. Athens
was an example of democratic
government

3.  Between the 8th and 6th centuries BC, Greece went through
a period of crisis because the population increased and as the
land wasn’t fertile, there was not enough food for everyone;
so many Greeks migrated and founded colonies around the
Mediterranean sea. Colonies had the same traditions and
organizations as the polis they came from, but they were
independent. Colonization spread Greek influence beyond its
frontiers.

4.  Greek society was an unequal society, it was divided into two groups:
citizens and non-citizens. Only a minority of people were “citizens” who
enjoyed many rights, as the right to vote or take part in politics.
 There were three different categories of “non-citizens”:
Foreigners, who were free and could fight in the army, worked in trade
and crafts but could not own land or houses.
Slaves, who were not free and worked for a family. They worked in
agriculture of domestic work.
Women,who could be free or slaves, but had no rights.They were always
under the rule of a man.

5.  Ancient civilizations used myths to explain the world. The Greeks were
the first to look for an explanation of natural phenomena using logic and
reasoning. That is why the Greeks are considered to be the fathers of
Philosophy and Science. The three greatest Greek philosophers were
Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
 Education was very important in Greece. Boys started school at the age of
7, they learnt to read and write and some mathemathics. They learnt
about traditions, ethics and had military training. Girls did not go to
school and were iliterate.
 Theatre was very popular in Ancient Greece. Tragedies, comedies and
satyr plays were performed in outdoor theatres. Theatre in the western
world has been influenced by Greek theratre.

6.  The Greeks believed in many gods, each city-state has its own deity. The
gods were inmortal but they behaved as humans,they ate, loved and
fought, Zeus was the king of gods and lived with the rest in Mount
Olympus.
 They also believed in Heroes who were sons of gods and humans, Ulyses
or Hercules were very powerful but mortal.They also believed in fantastic
creatures, such as cyclopes and centaurs. The Greeks invented myths,
that were stories about their gods and heroes.
 The Temples were the homes of the gods, and the priests were their
servants.The gods communicate with humans through “Oracles”, that
were messages from the gods that were interpreted by a priest.

7.  Greek Architecture: The Greeks constructed many different types of
buildings, but the most important ones were the temples. They were
rectangular and normally built in white marble and painted in colours.
Greek architects, who were concerned about proportion, harmony and
beauty, followed very strict rules according to three orders that
determined the style of the building.The three orders were Doric, Ionic
and Corinthinian.
 Greek Sculpture: Most of Greek sculptures and reliefs represented deities
and heroes and were found in temples. Greek Sculptors were interested
in representing the beauty of the naked human body: Most of the
sculptures were made in marble and bronze and painted in bright
coulours.