Transcript Greece, Persia, and Alexander 546

Greece, Persia,
and Alexander
546-323 BCE
I. Persian Wars
1. Greeks in Ionia (W. Anatolia) rebel;
helped by Athens
2. Darius sends large army against Athens
•
Battle of Marathon 490BCE- greatly
outnumbered hoplites humiliate Persians
3. Xerxes sends world’s largest army
against Athens 480 BCE
4. Hellenic
League
480BCEalliance of
Phalanx
formation
of hoplites
city-states led by Sparta defeats Persians
5. Delian League 477BCE- alliance led by
Athens drives Persians from Greece
• Athena has not been able to soften the lord of Olympus,
Though she has often prayed him, and urged him with
excellent counsel.
Yet once more I address you in words firmer than adamant.
When the foe shall have taken whatever the limit of Cecrops
Holds within it, and all which divine Cithaeron, shelters,
Then far-seeing Zues grants this to the prayers of Athene;
Safe shall the wooden wall continue for you and your
children.
Wait not the tramp of the horse, nor the footmen mightily
moving
Over the land, but turn your back to the foe, and retire.
Yet shall a day arrive when you shall meet him in battle.
Holy Salamis, you shall destroy the offspring of women,
When men scatter the seed, or when they gather the
harvest. (7.141).
II. Athenian Power
1. Strongest Greek city-state: naval power
2. Democracy- free, landowning citizens
could participate in:
a) The Assembly (voting)
b) Council of 500- proposed laws
c) People’s Courts
II. Continued…
1. Philosophers
1. Socrates
•
•
Socratic method- question/answer to find
meaning of justice, wisdom, etc.
Tried and killed for “corrupting the youth”
2. Plato1. Socrates’ student, started The Academy
3. Aristotle
•
Started the Lyceum. Wrote about politics, ethics,
logic, rhetoric etc..
III. Inequality in Athens
1. Only 15% able to vote
– Women, slaves, foreigners had no citizens’
rights
2. 1/3 were slaves
3. Women were confined and oppressed. In
Sparta had more freedom
4. Bisexuality among men common
IV. Pelopponesian War 431 BCE
1. Athens and Sparta battle for supremacy
– Sparta wins with help from Persians
2. Fighting among city-states weakened
them
– King Philip of Macedonia controls city-states
through Confederacy of Corinth
V. Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE)
• Animated map
1.Conquers Persia, Egypt, Central Asia BY THE
TIME HE WAS 30 YRS OLD!!
2.Hellenistic Age
•
•
Establishes Greek-style cities throughout empire
Greek culture spread: libraries, universities,
science, literature, etc
3.Alexandria- largest, most popular city
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In Egypt, housed world’s largest library, museum,
research institute
Pharos of Alexandria