The Rise of Greek City States

1. The Rise of Greek City States

2. Early People of Ancient Greece • Crete • Minoan Civilization: 1750 B.C. – 1500 B.C. • Crete home to the Minoans named after Minos a king of Crete • Contact with Egypt and Mesopotamia. • 1400 B.C. Minoan civilization disappears • Mycenae conquered the island of Crete • 1400 B.C. – 1200 B.C. Mycenaen civilization dominated the Aegean world • Lived in separate city-states on the mainland

3. Sparta • Peloponnesus, southern part of Greece • Made the local people slaves (helots) work the land • Government: • Government consisted of two kings who were advised by a council of elders. • Assembly made up of all citizens and approved major decisions • Citizens were male, native-born Spartans over the age of 30 • ephors – officials who held the real power and ran daily affairs

4. Sparta • Boys • Age 7- began training for military • Age 20 – soldiers could marry but had to continue living in the barracks • Age 30 – citizens could join assembly • Women • Expected to produce healthy sons • Told to exercise to strengthen body • Had to obey their fathers or husbands • Right to inherit property

5. Athens • Located in Attica • Government evolved from a monarchy into an aristocracy and then into a democracy (rule by the people) • Solon, Pististratus, and Cleisthenes (democracy)

6. Athens • Citizenship • obtained by free men whose parents were free • Tens of thousands of slaves with no rights • Women: • Did not have any political or legal rights • Nearest male relative was the women’s legal guardian • Managed the home • Daughters married someone chosen by parents

7. Religious beliefs • Polytheistic • Gods lived on Mount Olympus in northern Greece. • Zeus • Children: 1. Aphrodite – goddess of love 2. Ares – god of war 3. Athena – goddess of wisdom