Transcript Unit II: Classical Greece and Rome

Unit II: Classical Greece and Rome
Ch. 5
Ancient Greece
Map of Ancient Greece
Geography: The Sea
– Mountainous peninsula
– 2,000 islands
– No one more than 85 miles from sea
– Sea travel linked parts of Greece
– Connected Greece to other civilizations
– Trade important
– Fishing
The Land
– 3/4 covered by mountains
– Divided land into regions
– Small independent political communities
– Transportation difficult
– Few roads
– Land rocky
– Only 1/4 of land arable
– Population small
– Colonies
The Climate
– Moderate climate
– Perfect for outdoor life
– Many outdoor public events
– Gatherings of men to discuss politics, news, and
events
Greek Civilization Develops
• Mycenaeans: IndoEuropeans settle in Greece
• Warrior-king ruled walled
city of Mycenae
• Interaction with Minoans
by 1500 B.C.
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Influenced to trade
Adopt Greek language
Adopt Greek religion
Adopt Greek art, politics,
and literature
The Trojan War
• Trojan prince kidnaps
Helen, the wife of a Greek
king
• Begins a 10 year war
between Greece and Troy
• Troy defeated by Trojan
horse filled with soldiers
Decline of Greek Culture
• Trojan War ends (1200 B.C.)
• Attacked by sea warriors
who burned cities
• Land settled by Dorians
– Less advanced than
Mycenaeans
• Oral tradition kept history
alive
– Homer: epic poems
• The Iliad
• The Odyssey
Greek Myths
• Stories about their gods
• Explained mysteries of nature
• Explained human passions
– Gods assumed human qualities
• Love, hate,
jealousy
– Constant
fighting with
one another
Greek City-States
• Mountainous geography
isolates city-states
• City-state also called a
polis
• Each city-state has its
own government
• Citizens meet on hilltop
called acropolis or at the
agora or the
marketplace
Governing in Greece
• Monarchy
– Rule by a king
• Oligarchy
– Rule by a few powerful
people
• Aristocracy
– Rule by a small group of
noble landowners
• Democracy
– Rule by the people
Athenian Democracy
• Draco: Athenian ruler
– Legal code
– All citizens, rich and poor,
equal in eyes of the law
• Solon
– All citizens can participate in
government assembly
• Cleisthenes
– Increased power of
assembly
• Boys educated
– Logic and public speaking to
help participate in assembly
Spartan Military State
• Labor in Sparta by slave
labor (helots)
• Men served in the army
until they reached 60
– March, exercise, train
– Live in barracks
• Girls expected to be
strong, healthy, and
athletic
– More freedom than
Athenian girls
Persian Wars
• Fought between Greece
and Persia
• Persia tries to take
Greek colonies
• Use of the phalanx
• Powerful Persian army
defeated by Greeks
• Unexpected defeat
• Gave Greeks great
confidence
Persian Wars
• Battle of Marathon
– Greek phalanx
– Pheidippides ran to
Athens to announce
defeat of Persians
• Persians defeated
Greeks at Thermopylae
• Greeks defeat Persians
for good at Salamis
• Adds to Greek
confidence and
freedom
The Golden Age of Greece
• Pericles plan
– Introduced direct
democracy
– Strengthen Athenian
navy
– Build great buildings and
sculptures to make
Athen s beautiful
Golden Age of Art and Architecture
• Art
– Giant sculptures
– Emphasis on beauty of
humans
• Architecture
– Emphasis on balance,
harmony, and proportion
– columns
Drama and History
• Tragedy: drama about
hate, war, or betrayal
• Comedy: made fun of
politicians and famous
people
• History written by
historians like
Thuycidides
Philosophers
• Socrates
– “Socratic Method”: question
students
– Examine your beliefs and
morality
– Quote: “There is only one
good-knowledge; and there
is only one evil-ignorance.”
– Sentenced to death for
corrupting youth of Athens
Philosophers
• Plato
– Student of Socrates
– Wrote book The
Republic
– Ideal political society
• Farmers and artisans
• Warriors
• Rulers: philosopher/kings
Philosophers
• Aristotle
– Student of Plato
– Explained nature in the
world
– Wrote books about
psychology, physics,
biology, and logic
– Basis for Scientific
Method
Alexander the Great
• Greece weakened by
Peloponnesian Wars
• Alexander took control of
Greece after death of his
father
• Assembled large army and
began the spread of
Hellenistic (Greek) culture
Alexander’s Empire
• Spread Greek ideas and language to Egypt, Persian
Empire, and to India
• Fought 11 years, then soldiers refused
• Merger of Greek and Persian culture emerged
Hellenistic Culture in Alexandria
• Trade and cultural center
– Trade ships from around the
Mediterranean
– Cultural diversity
– Beauty of Alexandria
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Wide streets
Palaces
Statues of Greek gods
Lighthouse by the harbor
Museum and library
Ancient Mediterranean