The Greek civilization flourished in Greece more than 2000 years ago between 1200 BCE to 323 BCE. Key figures included Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, and Pericles. Major events included the Greco-Persian Wars and Peloponnesian War. Athens and Sparta were the most powerful city-states, with Athens known for its culture and democracy, and Sparta focused on military training. Greek achievements included advances in philosophy, science, architecture, literature, and the establishment of democratic forms of government, laying the foundations of Western civilization.

1. The Greek
Civilisation

2. Contents
Lets discuss Greek civilization in 2 minutes………………….

3. Key People: Aristotle Socrates Plato Euripides
Pericles
 Date: 1200 BCE - 323
 Major Events: Hellenistic age Greco-Persian
Wars Peloponnesian War Classical antiquity Battle
of Thermopylae
Aristotle Socrates Plato Euripides Pericles
Related Places: Turkey Italy Greece Athens Sparta

4. Historical and
cultural context

5. Ancient Greek Civilasion
The Ancient Greek civilization, the period
following Mycenaean civilization, which ended
about 1200 BCE, to the death of Alexander the
Great, in 323 BCE. It was a period of political,
philosophical, artistic, and scientific
achievements that formed a legacy with
unparalleled influence on Western civilization.

6. Let’s discuss briefly……………
 Greek Civilisation flourished in Greece more than 2000 years ago. There arose many
independent city-states, which developed a remarkable system of government. The
development of city-state was a unique feature of Greek civilisation. Each city was
enclosed by a wall for protection. Inside the city, there was a fort called Acropolis
which was situated on a hill top.
 Among the Greek city-states, the most famous were Athens and Sparta. Athens was
rich and cultured. Athenian citizens included writers, philosophers, artists and
thinkers. The society was based on slave labor, but the citizens enjoyed a democratic
form of government. Sparta was almost like an army camp, where everyone was
expected to obey the superiors. Sparta had the best army in Greece. Training in
warfare was considered to be the most important thing here.

7.  There was considerable rivalry between Athens and Sparta. But they fought side by side to drive off the
mighty Persian army of Darius I and Xerxes, who tried to conquer Greece. Under Pericles, Athens enjoyed
a ‘Golden Age’. But a long war between Athens and Sparta, called the Peloponnesian War, which lasted for
27 years resulted in the defeat of Athens.
 Ancient Greece had the distinction of being called the birth place of Western Civilisation. They were
pioneers in art and learning, science, literature and sculpture. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle were great
philosophers whose works are studied even today. Herodotus and Thucydides were famous historians.
Archimedes, Aristarchus and Democritus were great scientists. Aeschylus, Sophocles and Aristophanes
were great dramatists. Homer was the author of the famous epics - Iliad and Odyssey.
 The Greeks also had great knowledge of architecture. They built many beautiful temples and palaces. The
Greeks believed in many gods. Each city had its own protector god or goddess. The gods were believed
to live on Mount Olympus. The Olympic Games, first recorded in 776 BC was held every four years at a
place called Olympia. Sports and athletic events were held to honor Zeus, the king of gods.

8.  The Greek towns were the centers of administration as well as cultural and economic
activities. The farmers mainly grew grapes, olives and grain. Wine and olive oil were
important products. The Greeks, at one time, also established vast empires.
Alexander of Macedonia, better known to history as Alexander the Great, led his
army out of Europe and conquered Syria, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Afghanistan and even
parts of Central Asia and North-Western India.
 This led to the spread of Greek ideas and learning. Alexander died at an age of thirty-
three only. After his death, his empire broke up into smaller kingdoms. Later, Greece
was conquered by the Romans.