Classical Classical GreeceGreece

The Origins of The Origins of our western our western

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I. Introduction:• Greece is located in the eastern Mediterranian Sea.

• It is a rocky land with rolling hills, small valleys, and Mediterranean climate.

• It was easier for settlers to travel by sea than land, thus most early settlements were along the coast.

Agriculture – grains, grapes, olives

Politically – settlements were independent

Culturally – The Greeks were unified through language, festivals, religion- Pan – Hellenic games (Olympics)

- Mount Olympia (Home of gods)

II.II. Origins of Greek Origins of Greek CultureCulture

Greece’s first civilization was the Greece’s first civilization was the Minoans who lived on the Island of Minoans who lived on the Island of Crete. Between 3200 to 1500 Crete. Between 3200 to 1500 B.C.E.B.C.E.

- They were named after the - They were named after the mythical king Minas.mythical king Minas.

- Their largest settlement was the - Their largest settlement was the Palace of Knossos.Palace of Knossos.

Palace of King Minas at Knossos on Crete

Ruins from Crete

Minoan art was painted frescos on wet plaster wall. It Reflects a peaceful people with a love for beauty & life.

Bull leaping was probably a religious event.

Their art reveals that women had a prominent status in society.

Possibly they were ruled by a priestess/Queen.

The Minoans were extremely advanced with indoor plumbing & light wells. It is believed that they were Atlantis of Greek myth.

This Brilliant Culture was destroyed by volcanoes and tidal waves.

•The people left Crete and settle on the mainland of Greece creating the Mycenaean Culture

III. Mycenaean Greeks - They lived in fortified settlements

between 1500 to 1100 B.C.E.- The Mycenaean were a warlike

society loosely united under a system of feudal alliances. They had - Massive protective walls - Use of horse-drawn chariots- Bronze weapons

The Mycenaean Era is the period when the great events in Greek mythology occurred:

- Worship of the Olympian gods.- The life of Kings Agamemnon, &

Odysseus.- The life of Hector & Achilles. - The Conquest of the city of Troy.

The Lion Gate of Mycenae is the front entrance to what is

believed to be Agamemnon's Palace.

Pottery depicting the Mycenaean Conquests of Troy!

The Trojan Horse is a Mycenaean story.

Remains of Troy

- They were a wealthy and skilled society; based on a feudal system similar to Medieval Europe.

- Gold and silver treasures found in their burials sites.

Gold Burial Mask & Wine Cup.

Downfall of the Mycenaean- Around 1150

B.C.E., settlements were sacked and destroyed by invading tribes from the north, the Dorian Greeks.They bring Iron Technology to Greece.

-The Dorian Greeks caused:

- Drop in agricultural production- Drop in population- Cities reduced to villages- Writing virtually lost

Benefits of Mycenae’s Fall:

- It destroys the power of the Mycenaean Kings allowing everyone to be more equal.

- It creates a simple life from which city-states can develop.

- It allows for development of an oral tradition of story telling that results in Homer’s Iliad & Odyssey as well as the Olympian myths.

Dorian villages were led by a local leader called the Basileus

A “Council of Nobles” and “Assembly of Warriors” assist

in running the villageDorian villages were often located near a hill called an acropolis (high city.)

Homer: The father of Greek literature. Creator of the Epic poems “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey”Both stories deal with the events of the Trojan War

and it’s aftermath.

IV. Classical Greece (800-379 B.C.E.)

Several aspects of Mycenaean religious and cultural traditions were kept alive after the Dorian Invasion.

However, the Greeks were also able to develop new and unique cultural traditions

One tradition kept alive was

the Pan-Hellenic Games

These were athletic competitions held every four years.

The Greeks loved these games so much that they would forget their differences, cease any wars and compete for the glory of Zeus (sky god.)

Another tradition kept alive was the Greek Humanistic

Perspective This was a set of beliefs which

emphasize the importance of reason and of the individual.

The Greeks believed that man is the most important creature that the gods created.

This perspective will affect government, philosophy, and the arts.

Evolution toward DemocracyMonarchy - rule by a hereditary

king, most overthrown by 8th century B.C.E.

Oligarchy - rule by a few, always small group of wealthy men

Dictatorship – rule by a tyrant

Democracy – rule by the people (meaning free male citizens))

Comparison of the two most important Classical

Greek City-States:

Sparta and Athens

Both were a Polis (meaning City-State.)A Greek Polis was usually: - Small Size- Small Population- Located on a Hill- Served as the seat of government

Sparta- Sparta is located on the

Peloponnesian Peninsula, in a land-locked valley.

- It’s society was based on conquest: The Dorian Greeks conquered the original farmers (called Helots.)

- All activities of the Spartans were geared toward maintaining its supremacy over the Helots, who served as their serfs.

- Trade and travel was prohibited by the Spartan government.

- The government also demanded strict discipline and subordination of the individual to the state

- The government was a military oligarchy.

- All Spartans men were required to serve in military.

- The society emphasized physical perfection

- The government required that boys seven years old be sent to military camps to live.They lived in military barracks until age 30 at which time they were allowed to marry and start a home.

-2 Kings- each from two separate families. They checked each authority.

-The Council- composed of all Spartan males 60+ years. They advised the kings.

-The Assembly- composed of all Spartan men 30+ years. They voted to go to war.

-Ephors- Spartan judges.

Political Organization of Sparta:

Athens - Athenian Society was not based upon

conquest; because it had good harbors and mineral deposits.

- Athens was a cosmopolitan, urban culture, due to trade.

- More citizens (free males) were allowed to participate in the political process.

Athens was commitment to majority rulePower was strength of navy

Social classes of Athens:- There were two social classes citizens and non-citizens.

- Citizens, adult males, could own land and take part in government. They were divided into social classes by wealth.

- Non-citizens were women, slaves, and foreigners.

- Athens became the most successful democracy in Greece.

Over time every male Athenian citizen was given the right to vote in the assembly, which passed laws and determine government policies.

Powers of the Athenian Assembly:

1. The Assembly also elected 10 executives, that served for a one year term.

2. The assembly selected a council of 500 men; which prepared the laws that the assembly debated and voted on.

3. The assembly chose jurors for the courts.

The “Father of Athenian democracy” was Solon.

The Reforms of Solon 594 BC1. Created a Supreme Court – elected by the Assembly.

2. Canceled all citizen debts.3. Passed law that fathers must teach sons civic values.

•Athens’ second democratic leader was Cleisthenes, who in 510 B.C.E. gave citizenship to all freemen living in Athens.

Athens’ third democratic leader was Pericles, known as the “Father of Athens’ Golden Age”

Reforms of Pericles:

1. Allowing all citizens (regardless of wealth) the right to hold political office, and serve on a jury.

2. Changed the Council and Assembly into a bicameral legislature.

Athens:DemocraticProgressiveUrbanImperialisticIntellectually and culturally advanced

Sparta:AristocraticConservativeAgrarianCulturally StagnantFearful and jealous of Athens

The End of Part 1