ANCIENT AND CLASSICAL GREECE

1. ANCIENT AND CLASSICAL GREECE CIVILIZATION COMES TO EUROPE

2. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY • The Land • Mountains dominate land; cross land travel difficult • Fertile river valleys were center of settlement • River valleys formed basis of polis • No place more than a few miles from sea • Outdoor life common due to temperate climate • The Sea • Greece is a series of peninsulas, islands • Sea travel easier than land communication • Most Greeks took to the sea • Economy • Agriculture: Grains, honey, olives, grapes • Herding: Goats, sheep, cattle • Trade: Necessary to make up for lack of resources

3. PHYSICAL MAP OF AREA

4. MINOAN SOCIETY • Knossos • Minoan society arose on Crete, late 3rd millennium B.C.E. • Takes name from legendary king of Knossos, Minos • Lavish palaces at Knossos, between 2000 and 1700 B.C.E. • Linear A, a kind of written language, is found • Island of Crete • From 2200 to 1450 B.C.E., center of Mediterranean commerce • Received early influences from Phoenicia and Egypt • Established colonies on Cyprus and islands in the Aegean Sea • Society • Much evidence of egalitarian society; women had rights • Agriculture was important: grapes, olives, fishing, wheat • Trade was very important: marble, artifacts, cloth • Decline of Minoan Society • After 1700 B.C.E., earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis • After 1450 B.C.E., wealth attracted a number of invaders • By 1100 B.C.E., Crete fell under foreign (Hellenic) domination

5. THE ISLAND OF CRETE

6. MYCENAEAN GREECE • Mycenaean society • Indo-European immigrants settled in area, 2000 B.C.E. • Adapted Minoan Linear A into their script Linear B • Fortified agricultural settlements in Peloponnesus • Most important settlement was Mycenae • Society resembled Aryan: emphasis on war, trade • Kingdoms ruled by strongest of nobles; constant strife • Chaos in the eastern Mediterranean 1100 to 800 BCE • Mycenaeans engaged in Trojan war, about 1200 B.C.E. • Troy may have been a Hittite city-state and trade rival • Tomb of Agamemnon, Troy excavated by von Schliemann • Recorded by Homer in the Illiad and the Odyssey • More invasions by Hellenic tribes • “Sea Peoples” • Later Hellenic invaders moved by sea along coasts • Seemed to have raided into Palestine, Egypt as Philistines

7. ANCIENT GREECE

8. THE GREEK DARK AGES • 800 TO 500 BCE • Called Dark Ages due to loss of writing • Age remembered through oral traditions • A period of migration and warfare • Hellenes spread to Italy, Sicily, Asia Minor, Cyprus • The Hellenes • Indo-Europeans who settled in area • Tribes include Dorians, Attics, Achaeans • Originally aristocratic societies • Warfare, slavery, and trade common

9. GREEK TRIBES

10. THE POLIS • Greek City-State • Polis = city-state; Poleis = city-states • Metropolis = city of polis • Acropolis = fortified center of city • Boundaries shaped by geography • Terms of politics come from POLIS • Politics, politic, politician, polite, polity • Police, metropolis, metroplex • Most important • Athens • Sparta

11. POLIS OF ATTICA

12. POLITICAL FORMS • Archon: Greek for “ruler” – English “archy” • Kratien: Greek for “to rule” – English “cracy” • Demos: People – Democracy (direct election) • Aristos: The Best – Aristocracy (nobles) • Oligos: The Few – Oligarchy (rule by select few) • Monos: One – Monarchy (rule by a king) • Di: Two – Diarchy (Sparta’s state had 2 kings) • An: None – Anarchy (No government) • Theos: God – Theocracy (Rule by priests, religion) • Geron: Old Man – Gerontocracy (rule by elderly) • Pater: Father – Patriarchy (rule by males) • Mater: Mother – Matriarchy (rule by women) • Auto: Self – Autocracy (dictatorial rule) • Tyrannos: Tyrant – Tyranny (rule by a dictator) • Ethnos: Ethnic or locals – Ethnarchy (rule by the local people)

13. SPARTA • Sparta • Situated in a fertile region of the Peloponnesus • Began to extend control during the 8th and 7th centuries B.C.E. • Reduced neighboring peoples to the status of helots, or servants • By 6th century B.C.E., helots outnumbered Spartans by 10 to 1 • Maintained domination by a powerful military machine • Spartan society • Discouraged social distinction, observed austere lifestyle • Distinction was drawn by prowess, discipline, and military talent • Commitment to military values was strong • Society was a military aristocracy; state ruled by two kings • Young boys, girls educated in military barracks • After marriage, men still lived at barracks; women ran homes • Women: surprisingly free in comparison to other Greek women • All merchants were foreigners licensed by state

14. LACONIA: SPARTA

15. ATHENS • Athens • Population growth, economic development caused political strain • Sought to negotiate order by democratic principles • Citizenship was open to free adult males • Foreigners, slaves, and women had no rights • Athenian society • Maritime trade brought about prosperity • Aristocratic landowners were principal beneficiaries • Owners of small plots began to sell lands, some became slaves • Class tension became intensified, the 6th century B.C.E. • Solon and Athenian democracy • Solon forged a compromise between the classes • Opened polis councils for any male citizen • Pericles (ca. 443-429 B.C.E.) • The most popular democratic leader of Athens • Ruled Athens during its Golden Age

16. GREECE & THE LARGER WORLD • Greeks founded more than 400 colonies • Controlled Black, Aegean, Adriatic, Ionian Seas • Settled Sicily, S. Italy, Corsica, France, Spain, Africa • Settled Coasts of Yugoslavia, Albania, Turkey, Cyprus • Effects of Greek colonization • Facilitated trade among Mediterranean lands • Facilitate exchanges between peoples, cultures • Spread of Greek language and cultural traditions • Stimulated development of surrounding areas • Spread civilization to ancient, Neolithic areas • Warfare increased • Technology stimulated: naval, navigation, astronomy

17. THE GREEK WORLD

18. GREEK MILITARY • Based on citizen soldiers • Lightly armed, armored foot soldiers (Hoplites) • Carry shields, long spear • All citizens had to furnish own arms, armor • All citizens expected to fight in army, navy • All citizens had military training in school • Fought in massed formations called Phalanx • Very useful in rugged terrain; used 10’ long pikes • Easily defeats massed cavalry favored by others • Greek navy • Rowed vessels called galleys • Most famous was the trireme or three oar banked • Rowed by free citizens • Fought by ramming other vessels; than hand to hand • Greek fleets included larger vessels • Equites or mounted troops were aristocrats

19. THE PERSIAN WARS • The Persian War (500-479 B.C.E.) • Cyrus and Darius controlled Anatolia • Greek cities on Ionian coast revolted, 500 B.C.E. • Darius’ Invasion • The battle of Marathon, 490 B.C.E. • Greeks led by Spartans and Athens battled Persia to a draw • Xerxes Invasion • To fight Persians, Athenians build a wall of wood, or a navy • Xerxes seized, burned Athens • Athenian navy destroys Persian in the battle of Salamis, 480 B.C.E. • Persian army retreated back to Anatolia, 479 B.C.E. • The Delian League • Alliance among Greek poleis against Persian threat • Military force from Athens, finance from other poleis • As Persian threat subsided, poleis no longer wanted to participate • Athens uses navy to turn Delian League into Athenian Empire

20. PELOPONNESIAN WAR • Pericles Rebuilds Athens • Athens experiences a Golden Age • Pericles turns Delian states into Athenian colonies • 30 Year Civil War (431-404 B.C.E.) • Athens and Allies vs. Sparta and Allies • Costly victories/defeats and plague wreck city • Unconditional surrender of Athens, 404 B.C.E. • Hegemony first by Sparta and then by Thebes • Constant warfare between leagues, allies • Spartan hegemony replaced by Theban • Greece horribly weakened • Athens remained intellectual center of Greece

21. RISE OF MACEDONIA • The kingdom of Macedon • A frontier state north of peninsular Greece • Partially Hellenized society • Philip of Macedon (re. 359-336 B.C.E.) • Built a powerful army, overcame the power of clan leaders • Began to offend Greece from 350 B.C.E. • Brought Greece under control by 338 B.C.E. • Murdered possibly by wife and son • Alexander of Macedon and his conquests • Educated by Aristotle; gifted in many areas • At age 20, Alexander succeeded Philip • Invaded Persia, controlled Ionia and Anatolia, 333 B.C.E. • By 331 B.C.E., controlled Syria, Egypt, Mesopotamia • Invaded Persian homeland and burned Persepolis • Crossed Indus River by 327 B.C.E. • Died in 323 B.C.E. at age of 33

22. ALEXANDER’S EMPIRE

23. HELLENISTIC EMPIRES • The Hellenistic Era: Age of Alexander and his successors • Saw a blending of Hellenic (Greek) and Asian, Egyptian traditions • A Greek layer of upper class ruled over an Asians, Egyptians • The Antigonid empire in Greece, Macedonia and Thrace • Continuous tension between the Antigonid rulers and Greek cities • The economy of Athens flourished again through trade • Overpopulation, many moved to the Seleucid empire • The Ptolemaic empire ruled Egypt, Cyprus, often Holy Land • The wealthiest of the Hellenistic empires • Greek rulers did not interfere in Egyptian society • Efficient organization of agriculture, industry, and taxation • Royal monopolies over textiles, salt, and beer • Alexandria • The capital of Ptolemaic empire, at the mouth of the Nile • Cultural center: the famous Alexandria Museum and Alexandria Library • The Seleucid empire Mesopotamia, Persia, India • More Greek influence than in Egypt • Greek, Macedonian colonists flocked to new Greek • Colonists created a Mediterranean-style urban society • Parthians, Bactrians, Mauryans, Romans were all Hellenistic

24. HELLENISTIC WORLD

25. INTEGRATION OF MEDITERRANEAN • Trade • Olive oil, wine, in exchange for grain and other items • Trade brought prosperity, population growth, colonization • Merchant ships with 400 tons capacity were common • Some cities relied more on commerce than on agriculture • Controlled slave markets of Eastern Mediterranean • Trade rivalry with Carthage in North Africa • Athenian silver drachma was common currency • Panhellenic festivals • Sense of being Greek prevailed among all Greeks • Romans later admitted to Panhellenic, Olympic games • Colonists shared the same religion and language • Periodic panhellenic festivals reinforced their common bonds • Olympic games, the best known panhellenic festival

26. FAMILY AND SOCIETY • Greek society in Homer's works • Heroic warriors and outspoken wives in Homer's world • Strong-willed human beings clashed constantly • Highest achieve was arete • Aristocracy (landed elites) vs. common • Over years, aristocracy gradually came to control most states • Held most of the social, political power • Patriarchal society • Male family heads ruled households, could abandon newborns • Upper-class women wore veils in public, accompanied by servants • Women could not own land but could operate small business • Priestess was the only public position for women • Spartan women enjoyed higher status than women of other poleis • Common occupation of women was cloth making • Slavery • By law, slaves were private chattel property of their owners • Worked as agricultural laborers, domestic servants • Educated or skilled slaves worked as craftsmen, business managers • Slaves were commonly prisoners of war

27. RATIONITY AND PHILOSOPHY • The formation of Greek cultural traditions • From the 8th century, drew inspirations from Mesopotamia and Egypt • About 800 B.C.E., adapted the Phoenicians' alphabet to their own language • The Greek cultural feature: a philosophy based on human reason, rationality • Socrates (470-399 B.C.E.) • An Athenian philosopher, determined to understand human beings • Encouraged reflection on ethics and morality • Integrity was more important than wealth and fame • "The unexamined life is not worth living" • Critical scrutiny to traditional ethical teachings • Was condemned to death on charge of corrupting Athenian youths • Plato (430-347 B.C.E.) • A zealous disciple of Socrates • The theory of Forms or Ideas • His Republic expressed the ideal of philosophical kings • Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) • Plato's disciple, but distrusted theory of Forms or Ideas • Devised rules of logic to construct arguments; father of western science • His Nicomedian Ethics became later basis in Christianity • Legacy of Greek philosophy • Intellectual authorities for European philosophers until 17th century • Intellectual inspiration for Christian and Islamic theologians. • Provided a powerful intellectual framework for future generations

28. GREEK RELIGION & FINE ARTS • Greek Polytheism • Atheism considered treason, illogical • Deities: Zeus, Athena, Apollo and many others • Worship tied to patriotism and civics of the polis • Public worship and house gods • Various types of religious cults • Dionysian Rites • Oracle of Delphi • The Theatre • Tragic drama (Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides) • Dramas performed at annual theatrical festivals • Tragedians explored possibilities, limitations of human action • Comic drama (Aristophanes) • Lampooned public and political figures • Art and Architecture • Both were for public consumption and public enjoyment • Balance, proportion and rationality part of design

29. HELLENISTIC WORLD VIEWS • Hellenistic philosophers • Epicureans • Identified pleasure as greatest good; freedom from turmoil, pressure • Skeptics • Doubted certainty of knowledge, sought equanimity • Stoics • Taught individuals duty to aid others, lead virtuous lives • Emphasized inner moral independence and tranquillity • Cultivated by strict discipline of the body and mind. • Religions of salvation • Many people felt no allegiance to old gods, beliefs • Syncretism: Mixing of Greek, foreign beliefs • Mystery religions • Promised eternal bliss for true believers • Foreign Cults • Egyptian cult of Osiris became very popular • Worship of Isis favored by women • Speculation about a single, universal god emerged