Ch 5 Early Greeks

1. Ch 5 Early Greeks

2. The Sea and the Land • The _Geography had influence on Greece. • The sea came an important role in Greek everyday life they became: • Fishers, sailors and traders • It was hard for Greeks to develop a sense of unity. • Short mountain ranges cut up the mainland causing separate city states and hindered travel and trade.

3. The City States of Greece. • During 800BC and 700 BC city states were formed called polis. • The concept of a polis was based on 3 ideas: • Geographic idea of territory • Community it represents • The political and economical independence that it produced • Became known as an independently and self sufficient community

4. City states of Greece Cont. • Economic and political competition separated one polis from another. • City states similar in 4 ways: • Covered a small area of land • Population of less than 10,000 people most were slaves and non citizens • The original fort was built on an acropolis ( hill) • Each city state had an agora (marketplace)

5. City States Greece (cont) • Each polis formed its own government and laws • Had there own calendar, money and system of weights and measures • Commonalities among polis’s; • Language • Religious ideas • Culture characteristics • Social patterns • Festivals

6. Greek Government and Society (sec2)

7. Greek Culture Homeric Age • Not a very advanced Civilization, most communication was spoken or oral • Poets traveled singing or telling epic poems( long poem about heroes and great events)

8. Two Great Epics • The Iliad written by Homer • Tells the story of the legendary Trojan War • The Odyssey • Tells the story what happened after the Trojan War. • How Odysseys encounters many gods and dangers on his 10 year journey home

9. Greek religion • Different from the Egyptians, Sumerians, etc • The Greeks looked to the gods for three things: • To explain nature • Emotions of individuals • Bring them certain benefits

10. Religion • The Greeks created myths • Thus giving human qualities to there gods who lived on Mt. Olympus • Greeks believed that he gods talked through oracles (priest and priestess located in special places)

11. Olympic Games • Greeks created the Olympic Games because they wanted to please the gods • Originated c. 776 B.C. • Only men could compete in these games • Winners received wreaths of wild olive branches.

12. Greek Government: From Kings to Democracy • Aristocrats controlled the city states of Greece • They overthrew the kings by gaining control of as much land as possible • Originally meant “ruled by the best” • But now known that it was the wealthiest land owners • Controlled the economy • They were the judges and determined the laws and punishments

13. Kings to Democracy • The hoplite soldier emerged ;heavy infantry who carried spears and fought in closely spaced rows. • Very important to the defense of city states • Citizens becoming unhappy

14. Kings to democracy cont • They began looking for leaders who could bring a better life • A tyrant took over illegally but had peoples support • 650B.C. – 500B.C. tyrants • First many tyrants ruled well and eventually they became power hungry • Eventually, tyrant became someone who abuses power brutally

15. Democracy at last • Overthrew tyrants • Popular government – people should and can rule themselves • Athens developed a democracy –citizens take part of govt. • Not all could contribute

16. Spartans and Athenians (sec 3) Spartans Athenians • Society (social Class) • Government • Military Life/education • Economy • Society • Government • Military Life • Economy

17. Sec 4 Daily life in Athens

18. Economy • Farmers set up overseas colonies influenced cultural diffusion throughout Mediterranean and promoted trade • Imports – a good or service from another country. • Grain and other foodstuff • Exports- a good or service sold to another country or region • olive oil, wine, household items

19. Home and Family LifeMarriage and Family • Buildings • Simple • Built to profit whole community • 1 story, sun dried brick • No plumbing • Arranged Marriages (13-14) • Main purpose to have kids • Could not afford the child was left to die, especially girls

20. Women’s roles • Inferior to men • Were citizens not own or inherit property • Stay out of sight • Duties were to manage household and slaves and raise children • Boys at six went with a pedagogue • Girls stayed home- rarely an education

21. The Expansion of Greece: • 500 BC Greeks in Asia Minor rebel against Persians • They last until 479 BC • These conflicts are known as the Persian Wars

22. Battle of Marathon • Persian ruler Darius crushed the Greeks in Asia Minor. • He also wanted to punish the Athenians for helping the rebels • His main goal was to control all of the mainland of Greece • Defeated Thrace and Macedonia in 492B.C. • He attacked the Athenians in 490BC and even though the Athenians were out numbered they defeated the Persians. • Causing the Persians to withdraw and a 10 year peace took place

23. Battle of Thermopylae • 480 BC Darius son Xerxes led another Persian Army to battle against the Greeks • In order for the Persians to reach their point they had to cut through Thermopylae Pass • 300 Spartans met them and held the Persians at the pass for three days • The Persians found another way around the pass and surrounded the Greeks and defeated the Greeks, until they were all killed • The Spartans courage caused the other city states to have time to prepare their forces

24. Result of Persian Wars: • The Greek city states were free from Persian rule in 479BC • The Persians were still powerful • They tried to prevent Greek unity • Gave the Greeks confidence • Caused the Greek city states to create the Delian League • An alliance of city states led by Athens • 140 eventually joined: contributing ships or money • Did it for survival • Money was kept on Delos which Delian is derived • The result was that Athens had built an empire based on the Delian League • Was not a democratic government

25. The Age of Pericles: • Pericles-a general, orator, and statesman who had a tremendous impact in Athens • Democracy reached its height • All male citizens except for lower class could hold office • THE ATHENIANS ACHIEVED PROBABLY THE MOST DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN HISTORY. • Credited with building the Parthenon and Acropolis • Kept the Persians out • Brought stability and prosperity to the Mediterranean Sea • Athens made all the decision s

26. Peloponnesian War: • Athens and Sparta fought from 431 BC to 404 BC (27 years) • Sparta had the stronger army thus attacking on land first in the Attic peninsula • Athens having the stronger Navy retreated behind the walls of Athens able to survive because of the navy bringing in food • A plague broke out in Athens and killed many people included Pericles. • Lasted 27 years with periods of truce and armed peace • Athenians are going to surrender to the Spartans in 404 BC • Causing Greece to become politically unstable.