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ANCIENT GREECE
The Greek Dark Ages
The downfall of the Mycenean age, came swiftly and was due to multiple causes.
Upon the advent of its destruction, the Iron Age Dorians invaded the Greek peninsula from
the north (estimated time 1200BC to 1100BC). Atop the invasion, civil war also entered
mainland Greece, directly following the Dorian invasion. What followed was
a period known aptly as the Greek Dark Ages.
The Dark Ages lasted from 1100 BC until 800 BC, or relatively to the time of
Hellenic or Classical Greece. During this time the culture of Greece dwindled.
Little is known of how many cultural elements were lost during the Dark Ages,
but characteristic of the Dark Age, is the gradual decimation of any urbanized
culture on the Greek mainland. In addition, many of the elements left from
Mycenean culture were destroyed and writing, which had been so important
during the Mycenean, was not practiced. The great trading empire which had
begun with the Minoans, and was inherited by the Myceneans, was destroyed in
the Dark Ages. Trade with Asia Minor, the Middle East, and Egypt stopped
entirely. Artistic elements of the time portray simple geometrical designs and
patterns.
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/aegean/pre-greece/greekdarkages.html
During the Dorian invasions, which occurred continually on mainland Greece,
and down through the Pellopanese, entire villages were abandoned, and migrations
occurred toward the islands of the Aegean. Dorian rule in many cities and villages
was of either two types. The first type consisted of the Dorians entering a city and assimilati
themselves into it. The second type, as in the case of Sparta and Argos,
created an upper caste which consisted exclusively of themselves, leaving the lower
caste entirely made of native citizens, a life of serfdom. What followed the initial
invasion and rule of the Dorians and the Greek civil war, (within the years of 1200BC
to 750BC) was a shift in lifestyle, centered around a moderately sedentary agricultural lifest
However, though Greek civilization had hit its lowest point, the idle time
of 450 years allowed the Greeks to rediscover urbanized culture, which in turn
created the tales and cultures of Greece as they are classically and popularly known.
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/aegean/pre-greece/greekdarkages.html
The Rise
The re-emergence of Greek culture has been attributed to many variables,
most of which appear to have taken ages and many immigrations to create.
The migration to the islands and lands surrounding the Aegean led many
migrants and cultures to re-establish themselves in the eastern coasts of the
Aegean, and to the boot section of Italy with it's accompanying islands.
Specifically, the migrations of the Aeolians and the Ionians, led to the creation
of such cities as Lesbos, Miletus, Smyrn, Abydos and Rhodes. Coupled with
such recent immigrations, both the Aeolians and the Ionians set up many long
lasting communities, which led to a population boom, and further, to the greater
proliferation of their people and traditions. In addition to the proliferation of
traditions, Athens, and many other cities took to the fore in breaking free from
the old monarchy government of prior ages. The change in government was
mostly due to the leading families of Athens joining together to elect an
individual, or archon (chief of state) for one year. The result was the gradual
acceptance of an aristocratic republic.
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/aegean/pre-greece/theriseofgreece.html
Ultimately, the result of the Greek immigrations was a plume of independent
Greek cities throughout the Aegean. Whether these immigrations were peaceful
or not, the general mood of the Greeks was that they were seeking, "A home away
from home," or what the Greeks called apoikai. However, trade played a great part
in such immigrations, as did (obviously) the Dorian invasions. Thenceforth, from
700 BC onward the Greeks began to create a trading empire throughout the regions
of the Mediterranean, holding specific dominion over the coasts of the Aegean Sea.
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/aegean/pre-greece/theriseofgreece.html
This radical shift in power within the Aegean was ultimately aided by the fall
of other empires throughout the area, such as the diminishing kingdoms of
Egypt and the Hittite Empire, which had all but been destroyed by the time
of the rise of Greece. In addition, many of the other menaces which were to
plague the Greeks in the future were not yet formed. In particular, the Roman
Empire was still heavily under Etruscan rule, and the Persians were still in the
formative stages of their own cities. What is certain of the Greeks is that they
occupied an unusual place in history where, coupled with relative peace and a
healthy trade, they began to take the shape of what is known now as Classical
Greece and to dominate the Aegean Sea.
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/aegean/pre-greece/theriseofgreece.html
Persian Wars
Before the Persian Wars Greece not very united. Although each city-state
was very similar and they all shared the same culture, language and similar
laws. But despite these bonds each was loyal to itself and there were often
wars against another city-state. Although each city-state had allies as well.
The first event that provoked the wars was when the Persians took over
the Greek settlements in Asia Minor. But after 50 years of Persian rule,
the Greeks rebelled and the mainland sent ships to help the rebels and
so they beat the Persians and got their land back. But the King, Darius was
angry so as a punishment, he decided to invade Greece.
http://www.geocities.com/ancientgreece2001/
In 490 B.C. the Persians made their way to Marathon, a town on the
penninsula. When they landed, they were met by a small Athenian Army
who easily defeated the Persian invaders. They wanted Athens to know
about the battle as soon as possible so they sent their fastest runner,
Pheidippides to carry the message. And legend has it that when he reached
Athens he exclaimed, "Rejoice, we are victorious!" and then he fell down
dead. In the modern marathon today, a race of about 26 miles, is named in
his memory and his run from Marathon.
http://www.geocities.com/ancientgreece2001/marathon.html
The Persians had accepted defeat for 10 years after the Battle of Marathon.
But in 480 B.C. the son of the king of Persia, Xerxes set out with a large
army in hopes to invade and conquer Greece once and for all. He decided
to not go directly to Greece but to go around it and attck from the north.
So he crossed to europe by way of Hellespont, which connects the Sea of
Marmara to the Aegean Sea. He then proceded west through Thrace and
Macedonia and went in to the mountains in Northern Greece. He then went
south and came to a small mountain pass called Thermopylae. There the
Greek Army was waiting for them. The army was led by the king of Sparta
with 300 Spartans by his side and 700 other Greeks. When the two armies
met the Greeks refused to retreat and held their position for 3 days. Then a
traitor told the Persians a way around the pass and so they caught the Greek
army from behind. The Persians out numbered the greeks immensily so the
1,000 greeks bravely met their tragic death. And the Persians were able to
advance to Athens.
http://www.geocities.com/ancientgreece2001/thermopylae.html
After the Battle of Thermopylae, Xerxes and his Persian army marched to
Athens. The people there abondoned thier city and fled to the small island
of Salamis, south west of Athens. Where they watched the Persians burn the
city. But the Greeks werent ready to give up just yet. Themistocles, the Greek
commander, made a plan. He managed to lure the Persian Army into a narrow
strait between the island and the mainland. Xerxes sat at his throne on the
mainland to watch what he thought was going to be a success. Meanwhile, Themistoc
organized a navy of 380 ships to defend Greece, while Xerxes
sent out 800 huge warships hoping to out number the Greeks again just like
Thermopylae. But his plan backfired. When the persians went into the strait
the Greeks attacked in masses and they destroyed ship after ship and there
was nothing the Persians could do about it because they couldn't maneuver
their huge ships fast enough and the ships ran into each other. Soon the sea
was cluttered in wreckage and Xerxes watched in horror as his huge navy gave
way to an obvious Greek victory. So he gathered what of his men and supplies
were left and headed northward.
http://www.geocities.com/ancientgreece2001/salamis.html
A year after the Battle of Salamis, 479 B.C., the Spartan met the Persian
Army at Plataea. There, The Spartans were able to drive the Persians out of
Greece for good. This signified the end of The Persian Wars. Although
Greece did not feel safe, so they got back into their old allies again, between
Athens and Sparta despite their great power and success as a united country.
Also the defeat of Persia gave way to The Delian League which eventually
led to the Athenian Empire.
http://www.geocities.com/ancientgreece2001/plataea.html
Reflect and Analyze
Page 144
Questions: # 1 a & b, # 2, & # 4