Transcript The Golden Age in Athens

The Golden Age in Athens
Chapter 6, Lesson 3
480 B.C.-338 B.C.
Athens Rebuilds
• The Greeks defeated
the Persians
• Life didn’t change
after the victory, but
they began a “golden
age,” a period of
wealth and glory
What helped Athens
defeat the Persians?
The City of Athens
• After the war, most of Athens was destroyed
• Athenians had to rebuild their city on a grander scale
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(What does this mean?)
At the heart of the Acropolis was a marble temple to
Athena called the Parthenon
Its ruins still rise over Athens today
Parthenon
Government and Culture in Athens
• Athens was a democracy
• They had an assembly, which is a lawmaking body of government
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(citizens voted on issues that concerned them)
Pericles was the leader of Athens around 450 B.C.
He made sure all citizens, rich or poor, could serve in the assembly
and sit on a jury
Pericles arranged for people in the assembly or serving on the jury
to be paid
Turn to page 200 (Read the Primary Source) What does Pericles say
about a citizen who has no interest in government?
Philosophy
• Special schools to teach
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Philosophy
Philosophy-the search for wisdom
and the right way to live
Socrates is a famous philosopher
He questioned Athenian laws,
customs, and traditions
He was put on trial for “urging
Athens’ young people to revolt”
He was sentenced to death
One of his students, Plato, wrote
down his ideas and later became
a famous teacher
Greek Drama
• Greek writers invented a new theater form•
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drama
Dramas were plays that shared choices of an
individual, good and evil, and society
Tragedies and comedies
What were some features of the Golden Age of
Athens?
Answer questions on page 201 in the red box