Transcript “Socratic method” of question and answer

Around the Aegean
Foundations
Classical Era
What were the geographic influences in the development of
the Greek city states and later empire?
• Greece depended entirely on rainfall for agriculture
• rocky terrain - overland travel, trading, and communication
very difficult
• Small city-states developed - commerce was linked to the sea
In what way are the geographical influences different for
the development of Greek civilization than river valley
civilizations and those in the Americas?
• Crete and Greek mainland civilizations were the results of the fertilizing
influence of previously established civilizations
• Few natural resources & unsuitable farming land = import lots of food
• Seaborne trade results in commercial and political relations with other
peoples in the region
How was Persian religious experience different
than other early civilizations?
• Persians believed that water was not to be damaged and
worshiped fire at special altars
• continued to worship some major deities from their pagan past
• Zoroastrianism fostered the belief in one supreme deity,
encouraged moral and ethical virtues, and promised salvation
• Believed that individuals would be rewarded or punished in the
afterlife for their actions
Democracy in Greece? Accidental
or Inevitable?
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Citizenship was eventually extended to all free, adult males
Greek democracy was not truly “democratic” because a sizable portion of the
population (women, slaves, and immigrants) were not citizens
It was a daring and influential experiment with non-monarchal government
What is the relationship between the trade and
wealth of the Athenians and their acknowledged
legacy to knowledge?
• Athenian wealth supported the arts and sciences, and traveling teachers
• Athenians trained by Sophists had an advantage in politics and the courts
• Socrates was brought to trial for corrupting Athenian youth and introducing
unorthodox religious beliefs
• His trial revealed intellectual, social, and political divisions in Athens and
changed the course of intellectual life.
• Plato’s Academy became an institution for higher education. The “Socratic
method” of question and answer became a new way of reaching a deeper
understanding of intellectual issues
What connection do you see between the ancient battle of
Greece and Persia and present day conflicts?
• The Persian Wars began when Persia responded to
a revolt of Greeks in Persian-controlled territories
• Today the western world and the Middle East still
have conflicts of belief surrounding religious,
cultural and social ideals
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How was the culture of Greece dispersed and allowed to
become their greatest legacy?
The Hellenistic Age - from about 323 to 30 B.C.E.
During the Hellenistic Age, Greek culture acted as the dominant
influence on northeastern Africa and western Asia
The city of Alexandria in Egypt epitomized the Hellenistic Age
through its art and architecture, its great library, and its
cosmopolitan culture
Greeks culture remained a powerful influence on these areas
How do the political strengths of the Persian Empire
contribute to its expansive nature over time and space?
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The empire was divided into twenty provinces, each ruled by a Persian satrap or
governor.
The Persians also maintained their control by building patrolling the royal roads
Darius was also famous for his law code, “law of the King.”
The Persians succeeded because they were willing to adapt to local circumstances,
to learn from those with experience, and to utilize the skills of non-Persians.