CH.8 ANCIENT GREECE

Section 1: Geography and the Early Greeks

Peninsula – area of land surrounded by water

Mountains – ¾ of mainlandLimited contact between people

Seas – source of food and transportation Ship builders and sailors

Islands – 1,450

Map of Europe

Map of Ancient Greece

Greece Today

Greeks Create City-States

Groups formed Polis – city state

Foundation of Greek civilizationMarked the beginning of Greece’s

classical ageClassical age is one that is marked

by great achievements Acropolis – fortress on top of a high

hill

Section 2: Government in Athens

Rule by a few At first a king ruled Aristocrats – rich landowners that took

power Oligarchy – government in which a few

people have power Citizens – people who had the right to

participate in government All free men

Oligarchy was replaced by a tyrant – leader who held power through the use of force

Cleisthenes helped form the first democracy – type of government in which people rule themselves

Direct democracy – all citizens participate directly

Representative democracy – citizens elect officials to represent them

Section 3: Greek Mythology and Literature

Mythology – a body of stories about gods and heroes that try to explain how the world works

Each story, or myth, explained natural or historical events

http://www.theoi.com/greek-mythology/olympian-gods.html Lived on Mt. Olympus

Ceremonies were held in honor of the gods Most famous was the Olympics Held in honor of Zeus

Myths also told about adventures of great heroes Most famous was Hercules

Ancient Greek Literature

Homer – wrote the epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey

Aesop – wrote fables – short stories that teach the reader a lessons about life or give advice on how to live

Has influenced today’s language, literature, and art