ANCIENT & CLASSICAL GREECE

1. ANCIENT & CLASSICAL GREECE

2. MINOANS AND MYCENAEANS • Minoan civilization began on Crete around 3000 BC • Sailed ships all over the Aegean Sea • Created colonies • Life revolved around the sea • Food, culture, trade • Conquered by the warlike Mycenaeans from the Greek mainland

3. Mycenaeans are considered the first Greeks. • They spoke a form of the Greek language • They built small kingdoms that fought often with each other • Learned from Minoans and became great traders • Trade increased after they conquered Crete • Mycenaean society was dominated by frequent warfare and powerful kings • Many legends exist about their power and glory • Most famous is the story of the Trojan War • War played a part in the end of Mycenaean civilization and Greek civilization almost disappeared

4. For more then 300 years Greece was awash in confusion by 800 BC life in Greece became more stable for a new type of society

5. CITY-STATES • Polis- a city-state became the basic political unit in Greece • Each polis developed independently of its neighbors with their own government, laws and customs • The Polis was the center of daily life and culture • Each Polis had a high area (acropolis) for a temples and public ceremonies and a lower area (agora) for everyday life

6. Greek Religion • Polytheistic = more than one god • Tried to ensure gods would protect them by performing rituals and sacrifices • Humanized the Gods, lived on Mt. Olympus • Festivals to honor gods (Olympic Games) • Gods and Goddesses (over 50 total gods) • Athena-goddess of Wisdom • Ares-god of War

7. Polis • Sparta- one of the mightiest city-states in Greece. • Had slaves so they did not have to do manual labor • Spartan citizens spent their time training for war • Seen as the only way to keep order in society • Run by two kings who were also military commanders • Athens- world’s first democracy: a form of government run by the people

8. ATHEN’S DEMOCRACY • Ruled by the people. . . But not all people • Only free male Athenians over the age of 20 • Those allowed to take part were expected to do so fully • Vote in all elections • Serve in office and on juries • Serve in military • Consisted of three main bodies • Assembly; all people eligible to take part. They would hold direct votes(direct democracy) • Council of 500; write laws that were voted on • Court system; heard trials and sentenced criminals

9. GOLDEN AGE • Athens became the center of Greek culture and politics • Trade brought great wealth • Large cosmopolitian with grand festivals and public events • The Peloponnesian War was between Athens (and their allies) and Sparta (and allies) • War waged on for many years until Athens was destroyed and Sparta was out of money and resources • Macedonia a kingdom from the north swept in and took control of all of Greece

10. GREEK PHILOSOPHY • Philosophy comes from the Greek word philosophia which means “the love of wisdom” • Socrates; first great Greek philosopher. We know very little about him mostly from the writings of his students • Studied broad concepts of human life such as truth, justice, and virtue • Believed people learn by asking questions (Socratic method) • Believed that studying human behavior could improve society • Plato; Socrates students left behind multiple writings: Republic • Ideal form of government • Truth and goodness • Aristotle; studied mostly human behavior and nature of the world around him • Emphasis on reason and logic