Transcript Greece historyx

The expansion of Greek Culture
and Government
Pages 146-156
• Greek religion
– Polytheistic. 12 main gods The Olympians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJCm8W5RZes
– The Olympians “lived” at Mount. Olympus.
– Main Olympians: Zeus: chief God Athena: Wisdom and craft
Artemis: moon Ares: war Aphrodite: love Poseidon: sea and
– Greeks consider religion necessary to the well being of them and the
state.
– They honor the gods by doing rituals and festivals to win their favor.
• Example Olympics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8ztMlmavBw
– Buildings dedicated to the gods.
• Example: Parthenon dedicated to Athena
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUL0buet3S0
What is mythology?
• Myth is a sacred narrative usually explaining how the world or
humankind came to be in its present form.
• Greeks and Romans used mythology to explain the origins of
the world. http://greece.mrdonn.org/greekgods/pandora.html
• Myths typically involve supernatural characters.
What is Democracy?
• A government in which the supreme power is vested in the
people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a
system of representation usually involving periodically held
free elections.
Greek Democracy
• By around 650 BC, there were great tension between social classes.
– The tyrants a group of leaders fought for the rights of the people and
to reduce the power of the aristocrats.
• Council of 400 - introduced by Solomon. Four hundred men participated
in popular assembly.
• Cleisthenes – Added 100 to the council of 400 and granted 18 yr. old
Greek men the right to be elected to office.
• Pericles – political leader. During the Age of Pericles, Athens blossomed as
a center of education, art, culture, and democracy. Made public office
accessible to regular citizens and gave the a salary.
The rise of Sparta and Athens
Sparta
• Society focus on military
activity.
• Formed a powerful army.
• Government: Oligarchy
(ruled by a small group of
people)
Athens
• Society focus on philosophy
and politics.
• Adopted a democratic
system in favor of the
people. (excluded women,
slaves and foreigners)
• Had one of the greatest
Navy of its time
Classical Greece 500-400 BC
Prosperous period associated with Greece victory on Persia and
the Peloponnesian war
Persian War 492-449 BC
• Greece vs. Persia
– Sparta joined Athens to fight
against Persia.
• Why?
– Persia decided to defend its
colonies and conquer the
Greeks.
• Who won?
– The Athenian naval fleet
defeated the Persians with
the help of the Spartan after
almost 50 years of war.
•
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M4w-82iVXs
Peloponnesian War
• Athens vs. Sparta
• Why?
– Athens planned to extend its
rule to other cities, including
some headed by Sparta.
• Effect on Greece
– Sparta won but it led to a
significant decline in Greek
culture
– The division among Greek
cities help the Macedonian
kingdom obtain power of
Greece.
Alexander and the Hellenistic Era 334-30 BC
•
After Peloponnesian war the division of Greek cities help King Philip II of
Macedonia to take over Greece in 338 BC.
•
Alexander, the son of Philip II, took over after his father death.
•
Under the leadership of Alexander the Great, Macedonians and Greeks united
to invade and conquer the Persian Empire. (defeated king Darius III)
•
Alexander conquered many lands, in them Greeks and non-Greeks formed a
new society. He found many cities and city squares bearing his name. Ex:
Alexandria in Egypt. http://www.biography.com/people/alexander-the-great9180468
•
This time of Greek expansion and domination became known as Hellenistic
Period.
– Hellenistic cities became centers for the spread of Greek language, art,
politics architecture, and literature.