Download Ancient Greece Geography- isolated = unique new culture Mycenae

Ancient Greece
Geography- isolated = unique new culture
Mycenae- 1st Greek state
- most famous story (Troy)
Homer- poet
- Epic poem- long poem that tells the story of a great hero
- Iliad & Odyssey- Greek mythology
- Created history, used as basic text for educating males
o Be proud of their heritage
o Model of heroism & honor
Government
Polis- city
- Key feature in Greek society
Acropolis- Gathering place
- Top of hill
- Religious center
Democracy- gov’t by the people
- Rule of the many
- Direct – citizens participate personally
- Works well in small areas
Oligarchy- Rule by the few
2 “famous” city-states
- Sparta
- Athens
Sparta
(Men)
-
Disciplined lifestyle
Military focus (20-60 yrs. Old)
(Women)
- Worked in the home
- More freedoms
(Gov’t) Oligarchy
Didn’t want influence from others
- No humanities courses of study
Athens
-
Attica Peninsula
Oligarchy
On the verge of civil war
o Economic troubles
Solon- reform-minded aristocrat
- Controlled Athens
- Cancelled debts & freed people
Cleisthenes- Citizens now had control over gov’t
- This divided Spartans & Athenians
Peloponnesian War- 431 B.C.
- Civil war
- Athenians destroyed, Empire destroyed
- Weakened Greek states, ruined any future
Pericles- political figure
- “Age of Pericles”
- Direct democracy
Athenian Democracy- Regular citizens get gov’t positions
- “All” citizens (adult males) can assemble