Ancient Greece

1. Ancient Greece Seafaring to World Power 2000 BC- 300 BC

3. Essential Questions • How did the geography of Greece affect the development of civilization • Explain the role of war in Greece’s history. (Persian, Peloponnesian, etc.) • How is mythology an important part of Greece’s history? • What influence did the Greeks have on art, literature, philosophy and sport? • Who are some of the philosophers that influenced western civilization and are still studied today? • Why did the Greeks enjoy cul • tural growth and leave lasting mark on civilization?

6. The Greek civilization was preceded by an advanced civilization located on the lands surrounding the Agean Sea. • This civilization was known as the Minoan civilization which peaked at about 2000 BC and then suddenly collapsed around 1200 BC. This may have happened due to volcanic activity or tidal waves…this civilization was lost! • The civilization was centered on the island of Crete and is called Minoan after the legendary King Minos. • The Minoan civilization spread from Crete to the Agean Islands, the coast of Asia Minor, and mainland Greece. • After 1450 BC the center of Agean political power moved to Mycenae on the Greek mainland and was called the Mycenaean civilization.

7. The Minoan economy was based on large scale trade that ranged from Troy to Egypt and from Sicily to Syria. • Minoan exports included olive oil, wine, metalware and beautiful pottery. • All trade was under the monopoly of the efficient and heavily bureaucratized government. • The great palace of Minos was located in Knossos which was the dominant city in Crete after 1700 BC. The palace of Minos is one of the most beautiful architectural achievements of the ancient world. • In many of the Minoan art works women are shown enjoying a freedom and dignity unknown anywhere in the ancient world. • There were advanced sewer systems, running water and an extensive and well paved road network.

8. Part of this culture and worship included the sport of bull-leaping (see above pic). Women as well as men performed this gymnastic feat, which seems to have had religious significance. Bull leaping competitions were held in connection with bull worship rituals. Some commentators say that's a lot of bull--that it is impossible to do what Minoan iconography depicts. But many statuettes and paintings very convincingly portray the tense muscle structures and the postures of the bull jumpers and convey the impression that the artists had observed carefully these details in real life. Leaping over the bull courts death, which can be an assertion of life and a prayer for the continuation of the potency and fertility represented by the bull. The Minoans sacrificed bulls, probably seeing in the bull's blood and death the seed of rebirth. Dueling with the bull is an ancient tradition in the Mediterranean basin and the Near East, and continues today with Spanish bullfights and the annual running of the bulls in Pamplona.

9. Geography’s impact on political developments • The mountainous topography & the many islands created unique sub cultures within the Greek empire. • Each “polis” or city state had their own government. • Government varied with the needs of the people, their culture and their history.

12. Trojan War: MYTH/HISTORY • Around 1700 BC: Aegean Sea/Troy (Asia Minor) • Participants: Troy vs. Sparta (Greeks) • History part: A Trojan prince, Paris kidnaps a Spartan king’s Wife…this sparks a war • Helen: “The face that launched a thousand ships” • The Spartans rally and sent the “Trojan Horse” filled w/ warriors to recapture Helen. • Outcome: Troy was defeated…Helen returns…this is the basis for The Iliad • The Iliad- epic poem written by Homer. This details the war… • The Odyssey-epic poem (Homer) that details Odysseus’ King of Ithaca’s voyage home from Trojan War.

15. http://www.arwhead.com/Greeks/The ancient Greeks (mainly the Athenians) were a unique people. They believed that individuals should be free as long as they acted within the laws of Greece. This allowed them the opportunity to excel in any direction they chose. Individuality, as the Greeks viewed it, was the basis of their society. The ability to strive for excellence, no matter what the challenge, was what the Athenians so dearly believed in. This strive for excellence was the method from which they achieved such phenomenal accomplishments. These accomplishments astound us to this day. They also believed in the balance of mind and body. Although many of them strove to become soldiers and athletes, others ventured into philosophy, drama, pottery and the arts. The two most important concepts which the ancient Greeks followed were found inscribed on the great shrine of Delphi, which read "Nothing in excess" and "Know thyself". This philosophy greatly impacted the Greek civilization.Athens was the intellectual center of Greece. It was one of the first city-states of its time, and is still world renowned as one of the most famous cities in the world. It was named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom and the city's patron. In 508 BC, Athens became one of the first societies in ancient times to establish democracy. Democracy came from the Greek words, demos, meaning people, and kratein, meaning to rule. This form of government was used at a meeting place which the Greeks called the Assembly. Here the citizens of Athens met monthly and discussed the affairs of state. There were no decisions made by government without first asking the Assembly.

17. Persian Wars • Around 500 BC between the Greeks and the Persians. • The Persians began to invade Greek city-states of the north. • King Darius asks for the surrender of all of the city states…there was a minor revolt in Ionia.. • Persians attempt to crush the Greeks w/ new weapons and a battle on the seas…. More….

19. In 490 BC at the plains of Marathon, the Athenians need to help from the Spartans to fight off the Persians…they send a runner (Pheilippides) to call for assistance…after a round trip run of 240 miles…he fights in the Battle of Marathon and then RUNS…24 miles back to Athens and says…. “Nike” or “Rejoice…victory”…he croaks of exhaustion. • He thus sets the frame work for all marathons…God… I love that guy!

22. By 480 BC, Xerxes, son of Darius attempts to conquer Greece again… (Sparta…Athens) • He was successful early…but then at the Battle of Salamis…(a naval battle) the Athenians flip the boats and drowned their enemies… Outcome: • Athens and Sparta become the most powerful city-states. • The Dilian League is formed (an early form of the United Nations…kind of) • Athens becomes very powerful during this time. It is called the “Age of Pericles”, a golden age of Greece occurs…but hark…other city states grew jealous!

24. Peloponnesian Wars: Civil Wars of Ancient Greece. (around 431 BC-404BC) 27 years Main idea of the Conflict: • Disagreements between Athens and Sparta • Athens was in the Delian League and gained political domination of the Mediterranean Sea. • Sparta and others attacked Athens • Pericles and Athens surrounded…then a disease befalls Athens killing 1/3 of the city…it was swift and over… Outcomes…next slide!

25. Outcome of the war • Athens’ Navy is destroyed • End to democratic forms of Gov’t • End of the Athenian Golden Age • Pericles’ death • Athens was no longer the political and social center.

27. Greek Architecture • The Ancient Greeks, especially Athenians, were blessed with close marble quarries.  In comparison, the Romans had to go great distances to bring marble into their capital of Rome.  • The marble was very strong and could hold very large loads of weight.  Because of this the Greeks were able to build beautiful temples and buildings which are copied or imitated even to present day.  The architecture of the temples took three major forms; the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.  • All three styles can be quickly identified by the top of the columns. •   The Doric columns are a circular ring under a square piece of marble which supports the cross beam.  • The Ionic column tops appear to have two scrolls on either side of the column right below the cross beam.  • The Corinthian is an out growth of the Ionic.  • It takes the simple scroll look of the Ionic and dresses it up in much more ornamental designs.  • The Corinthian style also differs in that the temple is set up in a circle.  In comparison the Doric and Ionic are in  shapes of squares and rectangles.  The following pictures show the clear distinctions between the styles

38. Temple of Poseidon

43. 'Death of Socrates', painted by Jacques Louis David (1787): The scene portrays the execution of Socrates by hemlock poisoning after he was found guilty as charged by the Athenian court in 399 B.C.

44. PhilosophyGreek philosophers, or "loversofwisdom," used observation and reason to study the world around them.  This spirit of inquiry led to advancements in the arts and sciences, as well as examining the bestformofgovernment for men to live under.  Famous philosophers include Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. • Socrates “Know thyself”

45. Greek Philosophers:Sophists: Men of WisdomThe “big” threeSocrates, Plato, Aristotle Socrates: 469-399 BC He actually wrote nothing, but his works/ideas saved by his student Plato. Socratic Method- Questioning to obtain the answers. At the age of 70 put on trial for failure to respect the Gods: The Trial of Socrates I.F. Stone details his trial and death. He drank hemlock Famous for The Apology which he values Greek ideas even though he will die because of his beliefs.

48. Plato (427-347) BC Socrates’ famous student He had ideas about gov’t and an ideal society The Republic He rejected pure democracy. It would led to mob rule. An enlightened ruler/dictator was fine w/ him. He felt gov’t should run people’s lives Women should have some rights, 3 classes: worker, philosophers and soldiers. He helped run the Academy after Socrates’ death.

49. Aristotle 384-322 BC Founder of “western” philosophy He created the school of the Lyceum He followed Plato’s teachings He tutored Alexander the Great He too was suspicious of pure democracy A strong virtuous leader was important to him. He wrote about logic, ethics, mathematics and sciences • The Scientific Method is one of his legacies…

50. Socrates Plato Aristotle Socratic Method of questioning as a learning tool. Wrote The Republic Favored a strong, controlling government Developed ideas on governmentFavored the one strong and wise rule as best form. Considered to be first western philosopher Society has three classes: Philosophers, Soldiers, and Workers Human Reason was the key to learning