Transcript Ancient Greece

Legacy of the Ancient Greeks
Parthenon in Athens, Greece
Classical Age of Greece (700 – 323 B.C.E)
Produced a political, cultural & philosophical
movement which was a key foundation for Western
Civilization
• Importance:
Timeline
700 B.C.E.
1 C.E.
2009 C.E.
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(B.C.E. = before common era)
Greek Empire: comprised of city-states
Reading:
Aristocrat
Legacy of Ancient Greece
Monarchy
Mercantile Class
Term Set Format
• Got Importance?
What is a Philosopher?
A philosopher studies the world & human nature to find “truth” by using
reason & logic.
Knowledge
Aware of facts/data
Wisdom
The ability to discern or judge what is true,
right, or lasting; deep insight.
Example: “We can’t solve problems with
same kind of thinking we used to create them”
3 Greek Philosophers who:
Respected human intelligence
• faith in the individual
Attempted to “seek truth "by using
“reason & logic” to study nature
Socrates
469-399 B.C.E.
Plato
427-347 B.C.E.
Aristotle
384-322 B.C.E.
Writings were often in argument or
dialogue form
Medieval Art
Rafael:
School of Athens
1508
Plato & Democracy Reading
• Reading
Philosopher Kings
• What is virtue?
• What is a benevolent ruler?
• What are values?
Socrates
469-399 B.C.E.
Plato
427-347 B.C.E.
Aristotle
384-322 B.C.E.
The Trial of Socrates
Video: Road to Democracy
DVD Scene #10
minutes long
Primary Source:
Aristotle Reading
Road to Democracy
Solon introduces limited democracy to Athens (600BC)
• created 4 classes of citizens (based on wealth not heredity)
• only 1/10th of country considered “citizens”
Cleisthenes advances democracy
(500BC)
• attempted to break up the power of nobility
• created “council of 500” to propose new laws
Pericles introduces direct democracy (450BC)
• his rule known as Greek’s “Golden Age”
Direct Democracy vs. Republic
Video: Road to Democracy
DVD Scene 4
Primary Source:
Pericles Reading
Greek Ruler
495 – 429 BC
Greek Legacy
• Considered foundation of Western Civilization
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Developed Direct Democracy
Empowered the “individual” citizen
Advanced art, philosophy & science
Promoted a meritocracy vs. aristocracy
Developed 3-branches of Government
• Heavily influenced the Roman Empire
The fall of the Greek Empire
700 – 323 B.C.E
• 461-429 Golden Age of Greece under Pericles
– Athens reigned supreme during period
• City-States/Geography made empire difficult to unite
– Sparta vs. Athens in constant conflict
• 408 BCE Spartans seek Persian help to fight Athens
– Sparta wins but empire greatly weakened
– Sparta disbands Delian League (404 BCE)
The Fall of Democracy 383-323 BCE
• Macedonia in Northern Greece establishes dominance &
establishes a monarchy under King Phillip II
• Alexander the Great (Phillip’s son) greatly expands empire &
rules until his death (323 BCE)
Plato’s Republic
• Reading
Sparta Legacy vs. Athens Legacy
Sparta had military supremacy but left
little of lasting cultural significance
Athens was eventually defeated by Sparta,
but left a cultural legacy that influenced
Western Civilization for 2,500 years!