Transcript Theme Notes
Ancient Greece • Theme: Geography • Theme: Economics • Theme: Politics – – – – – Slide 1 Slide 2 Slide 3 Slide 4 Slide 5 •Theme: Religion •Theme: Society & Culture -Slide 1 -Slide2 •Theme: Science & Tech. -Slide 1 -Slide 2 Theme: Geography I. Greece A. B. C. D. rocky, mountainous land surrounded by water (peninsula) many islands few flat areas for farmland 2R Theme: Economics I. 3R Trading A. B. Early traders: Minoans and Mycenaeans Traded wood, olive oil & pottery for copper, gold, silver and jewels C. Traded for food products they needed D. Trading helped them learn new ideas from other cultures 4R Theme: Politics Oligarchy Benefits More than one person ruling Free men were citizens Drawbacks Only a few rich landowners (aristocrats) ran the city’s economy ($$$), were generals & judges Common people had little say 4R Theme: Politics Tyranny Benefits Overthrew the oligarchy Good leaders with strong armies & support people Tyrants seized power to reform laws, aid the poor, and cancel debts Drawbacks Tyrant held power through use of force Common people had little say Some tyrants became harsh & greedy & were overthrown 4R Theme: Politics Athenian Democracy Benefits All citizens have a say in government All citizens have the right to express opinions Power of nobles is limited Drawbacks Women, slaves, and foreigners have no say in government Difficult to make decisions with so many people Sometimes citizens were forced to attend assembly Direct Democracy (Athens) – each & every citizen debated & voted on every issue, created & enforced laws, & were judges. Representative Democracy (United States) – citizens elect representatives to debate & vote on issues, create & enforce laws, & be judges. Theme: Politics 4R I. The Persian Wars A. B. C. Series of wars between Persia and Greece The Persian army was strong and well organized Greeks won because they had better weapons and clever leaders. II. The Peloponnesian War A. Sparta declared war to stop Athens’ growth B. Greek cities feared Athens would control Greece C. Sparta defeats Athens and becomes the most powerful city-state in Greece Theme: Politics 4R III. Alexander the Great A. Brilliant commander B. The Egyptians surrendered without a fight and crowned Alexander pharaoh C. Becomes ruler of what had been the Persian Empire D. After crossing the Indus River his exhausted troops refused to fight any more E. Alexander admired and enjoyed Greek culture and ideas so much that he spread them throughout his empire Theme: Religion I. Greek Gods A. B. Myths used to explain events like thunder, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions Gods center of Greek myths 5R Theme: Society and Culture I. Classical Age A. Polis – small city-state B. City-state – foundation of civilization 1. Gave people an identity 2. People participated in economy & government 3. People thought of themselves as residents of the city-state, not as Greeks 6R Theme: Society & Culture II. Sparta A. Society dominated by the military B. Military power provided security and protection for their city C. Boys were trained from an early age to be soldiers D. Spartan woman had more rights than other Greek women III. Athens A. Valued education, clear thinking and arts B. Athenian women had few rights 6R 7R Theme: Science and Technology I. Greek writers produced A. Epic poems 1. Iliad and Odyssey by Homer B. Romantic poetry C. Famous stories D. Lyric poetry (poems set to music) E. Fables Theme: Science & Technology II. 7R Philosophers A. Believed in the power of the human mind to think, explain, and understand life 1. Socrates – taught by asking questions 2. Plato – created the Academy 3. Aristotle – taught that people should live lives of moderation, or balance The many achievements of ancient Greece were important because they shaped Western civilization