The Greek City-State: Democratic Politics

1. The Greek City-State:Democratic Politics Greeks were the originators of philosophy in the Western historical tradition and the Genius was politics

2. Early Development of Greek Society: • Is based on small autonomous city-states, Polis • Highly independent character: Monarchies, Tyrannies (not necessarily oppressive) Early Democracies. • Urban center, dominating surrounding rural areas • Overtime these city-states began to trade with each other. • Venture out into Aegean and Mediterranean Sea, used as highway to Europe, Asia Africa.

3. Minoan and Mycenaean Societies: • Minoan society developed on Crete in 2000 b.c.e. thrived until it fell under foreign domination in 1100 b.c.e • Developed a written language known as Linear A based on syllables (unable to deciphere) • Traded olive oil and wine • Mined copper • Created Beautiful frescoes • Built luxurious palaces and homes

4. Mycenaean Society • Developed from Indo-European roots in Peloponnesus, the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula. • Mycenaeans’ first traded with the Minoans, but eventually overpowered them • Taking over their palaces, goods and trade routes • Adapted Minoan writing to their own language. (Linear B) • Mycenaeans fought a war with the city of Troy in 1200 b.c.e. that served as the inspiration for Homer’s epics, the Illiad and Odyssey. • They fell apart by 1100 to 800 b.c.e. to constant foreign invasions and political turmoil

5. The World of the Polis: • The Greek polis, or city-state developed out of the political chaos of the 11th century b.c.e. • First served as forts • Then evolved, into poleis of cultural and economic urban centers as well as a political bases for Greek civilization. • Each Polis was independent; Monarchies, Tyrannies • Early Democracies

6. Spartan City StateHighly Militarized Society • Sparta located in a fertile region in Peloponnesus relied on its military power to control that region and to maintain public order. • Spartans forced the original Peloponnesian inhabitants to work as slaves called helots. • Because the helots rapidly outnumbered the Spartans the polis became a military state. • Austerity the norm • Boys removed from families at age 7 military training

7. Athens City StateDevelopment of Early Democracy • Athenian polis, located in a region call Attica • Maritime trade brings increasing prosperity • Athens’s political structure was based on democratic principles and citizen participation in decision-making, free adult males. Women & slaves excluded • Aristocratic landowners dominated smaller landowners. Economic decline, sold into slavery • Increasing socio-economic tensions emerged: Class conflict, on the verge of civil war

8. The Reforms of Solon • Aristocrat Solon mediates crisis, hoping to avoid Tyranny aristocrats gave him full power) • Reforms: Canceled all current land debts, outlawed new loans based on humans as collateral and freed people who had fallen into slavery for debts • Stopped short of redistribution of the land • Gave nonaristocratic peoples participation of government • His reforms did not avoid a tyrant and in 560bce Pisistratus seized power

9. Greece and World Interrelations: Poleis prospered and expanded by establishing trading centers and colonies along the shores of the Mediterranean and Black seas: • Immense commercial and cultural exchange from India to Egypt • Products including fish, fur, metals, honey, gold, amber, and slaves • Culturally spreading Greek language and culture beyond the Greek mainland. • However this expansion brought them into conflict with the Persians

10. Greek Conflict with Persian Empire to the East 500-479 bce • Persian Kings Darius and Xerxes sought to gain control over Greek city-states, known as Persian Wars • Though the Greeks were victorious at the battle of Marathon Darius in 486 bce vowed revenge and renewed the invasion of Greece. • Xerxes led a massive invasion into Greece, close to 150,000 troops, 700 naval ships and 100s of supply ships. Spartan troops held off Persians for awhile • The Athenians abandoned their city. Persians sacked and burned Athens to the ground. • Greeks formed the largest Greek army seen and decisively defeated the Persian army at Plataea . • The Greeks had won the war.

11. . Age of Pericles:(495 - 429 B.C.E.) Pericles was so important that the era in which he lived the 5th Century B.C. is known as the Age of Pericles • After Persians defeat Athens led a confederation called the Delian League to protect against further Persian conflicts and liberating all Greek states from Persian control • Promoted arts and literature along with major building projects such as the Parthenon using Delian League Treasury. Massive payments to Athens fuels Periclean expansion • Pericles was a statesman, orator and general of Athens • Responsible for rebuilding Athens following the Persian Wars. • During Pericles Athenians became deeply attached to their democratic system • He was leader of Athens during the Peloponnesian War.

12. Pericles: • Athenian democracy reached its high point, many males • During Pericles Athenians became deeply attached to their democratic system • Public officials were subject to scrutiny and could be deposed from office if they did not maintain a vote of confidence. “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you. ” ― Pericles

13. The Peloponnesian War • Athenian expansion and arrogance helped spark the Peloponnesian War • Civil War in Greece 431-404 bce • Poleis allied with either Athens or Sparta • Athens forced to surrender • Sparta established political control of Athens, known as “The Rule of the Thirty Tyrants” • Opposed democracy and admired oligarchy • Overtime Athenians reestablished their democracy in 403 b.c.e.

14. Macedonians and the Coming of an Empire: • Macedonians to the north became increasingly powerful under the leadership of King Philip II • By 338 b.c.e. King Philip II controlled all of Greece • KingPhilip next goal: Persia • His mysterious assassination in 336 b.c.e. meant his dream would be realized by his young son Alexander.

15. Alexander the Great: • Alexander military and intelligence quickly won him Ionia, Anatolia, Syria, Palestine and Egypt. • By 330 b.c.e. at 26 yrs of age Alexander defeated the Persians. Took the title “Emperor of the Persians” • Invaded India, captured wealthy Punjab. • Died in 323 b.c.e. • Legacy: Spread Greek and Macedonian traditions. • Brings about the Hellenistic Age. • Most important city Alexandria