Transcript Early Classical Greece From Colonization to the Persian

Early Classical Greece
From Colonization to the Persian Wars
800-550 BCE
Early Classical Greece
From Colonization to the Persian Wars
800-550 BCE
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Government in Ancient Greece
Draco
Solon
The Persian Threat
Background of the Persian War
Government in Ancient Greece
• City-States emerged,
ruled by kings
(inherited or elected)
• Kings not seen as gods
but rather as part of
the people
• Over time Athens and
other city states moved
towards an early form
of democracy
Draco
• Athenian lawgiver
• Wrote down a harsh
written law code in 621
BCE, most crimes
punishable by death
• Laws applied to all
citizens
• Laws still favoured middle
and upper class but
protected lower classes
Solon
• 594 BCE – 559 BCE
• Ruled Athens: freed many
farmers forced into
slavery
• Reformed the harsh laws
of Draco
• Allowed any wealthy male
to hold office (not just
aristocrats)
• Enlarged council so more
citizens made laws
The Persian Threat
• Greatest empire the world
had seen to that point (10
million)
• At peak under Darius I in
522 BCE
• Stretched from modern
day India to the
Mediterranean
• Viewed Greek city stated
as barbarians
Background of the Persian War
• Persian Empire desired
more naval bases and trade
• Revenge desired by
Persians against Greeks:
Ionian states ,with the help
of Greece, had revolted and
won against Persia
• Greek city states an easy
target, lacked unity
Persian War Camel of King’s
Ceremonial Bodyguard