Transcript History of the Greeks

Ancient Greece
History of the Greeks
Greek Aegean Civilization: A
Flexible Existence
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Minoan civilization from 2000-1450 B.C.
Minoan Civilization is first complex
civilization in Europe
Advanced Art, architecture, engineering at
palaces on islands
Palace at Knossis is best example
Civilization mysteriously disappears around
1450 B.C.
Mycenean from 1200-800B.C.
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Trojan War between Greek City states and
Troy
Stories from the Iliad and the Odyssey
evolve from this period
Wave of Dorian invasions
Greek Colonies formed
Greek Archaic Period: A Creative,
Experimental Outlook from 800-500
B.C. on mainland Greece
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Evolved from colonies to city states, the highest form of
political unity.
Develop script for writing (Homer writes the Iliad and
the Odyssey)
Art becomes unique (flexible, fluid, realistic, and
creative)
Money begins to be coined
A middle class results
Democracy begins to evolve as leaders and middle class
demand a voice
Women and slaves are not considered “citizens”
Olympics begin (776 B.C.)
The Greek Golden Ages form 500100 B.C.: Search for the Ideal
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Greek Culture becomes united by:
1. Shared Language
2. Shared polytheistic religion
3.Shared literature (many could recite
Homer’s works)
4. Shared sports ( the Olympics were held
to honor Zeus every four years)
5. Drama competitions (often won by
Sophocles)
Greek Golden Ages continued
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6. Interest in statecraft with open forum and debate
7. Interest in education
8. A model for thinking philosophically: Plato and
Aristotle
9. A great model of democratic leadership: Pericles, the
greatest Athenian democratic leader.
10. Idealized Art included unmatched architecture and
sculptures: Phidias was the greatest architecture and
sculptor
11. The Delian League: sea protection
Note: the music, art, architecture, drama, philosophy of
this Athenian Greek Culture sent the standards that we
call “classic” today.
Why did Greek Unity Erode?
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Peloponnesian War between Athens and
Sparta (431-404 B.C.)
Philip of Macedonia defeats the Athenians
(Persian invasions)
Philip’s son, Alexander the Great, follows
and conquers much of the known world.
He spreads Greek culture, destroys Greek
unity
Alexander’s empire is split after his death,
resulting in the Roman Empire.