Download Ancient Greece 2 - Franceschini

Ancient Greece
Franceschini
Common Core SS Standards addressed throughout the reading packet:
6H.1.3 Use primary and secondary sources to interpret various historical perspectives.
6H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies and regions
6H.2.2 Compare historical and contemporary events and issues to understand continuity and change.
6H.2.3 Explain how innovation and/or technology transformed civilizations, societies and regions over time
6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society
6G.1.1 Explain how the physical features and human characteristics of a place influenced the development of civilizations, societies and regions
(e.g., location near rivers and natural barriers, trading practices and spread of culture).
6G.1.2 Explain the factors that influenced the movement of people, goods, and ideas and the effects of that movement on societies and
regions over time
6G.1.4 Explain how and why civilizations, societies and regions have used, modified and adapted to their environments
6G.2.1 Use maps, charts, graphs, geographic data and available technology tools to draw conclusions about the emergence, expansion and
decline of civilizations, societies and regions
6G.2.2 Construct maps, charts and graphs to explain data about geographic phenomena (e.g., migration patterns and population, resource
distribution patterns.
6E.1.2 Explain how quality of life is impacted by economic choices of civilizations, societies and regions
6C&G.1.1 Explain the origins and structures of various governmental systems (e.g., democracy, absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy)
6C&G.1.2 Summarize the ideas that shaped political thought in various civilizations, societies and regions (e.g., divine right, equality, liberty
citizen participation and integration of religious principles).
6C&G.1.4 Compare the role (e.g., maintain order and enforce societal values and beliefs) and evolution of laws and legal systems (e.g., need for
and changing nature of codified system of laws and punishment) in various civilizations, societies and regions.
6C.1.1 Analyze how cultural expressions reflected the values of civilizations, societies and regions (e.g., oral traditions, art, dance, music,
literature, and architecture).
6C.1.2 Explain how religion transformed various societies, civilizations and regions (e.g., beliefs, practices and spread of Buddhism,
Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism).
6C.1.3 Summarize systems of social structure within various civilizations and societies over time (e.g., Roman class structure, Indian caste
system and feudal, matrilineal and patrilineal societies).
Common Core Reading Standards addressed throughout the reading packet:
 Locate and cite details, State main ideas and summarize.
 Determine meanings of words and phrases.
 Determine how information is presented (sequentially, comparatively, etc.).
 Integrate and analyze visuals (maps, charts, pictures) etc. with text.
Common Core Writing Standards addressed throughout the reading packet:
 Produce clear and coherent writing appropriate for the task.
 Use technology and internet to produce writing.
 Informative and Explanatory Writing in the context of SS
Unit Vocabulary:
Students should write the bold faced words in their vocabulary journal. They should write a definition
and write the sentence as used in context. When possible, a picture, symbol or icon should accompany
each
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Ancient Greece I > Introduction Geography
Objective SWILLBAT identify how the geography of Greece influenced the development of the city-state. SWILLBAT to define a city-state
and explain how it differs from a country.
6G.1.1 Explain how the physical features and human characteristics of a place influenced the development of civilizations, societies and regions
(e.g., location near rivers and natural barriers, trading practices and spread of culture).
6G.1.2 Explain the factors that influenced the movement of people, goods, and ideas and the effects of that movement on societies and regions
over time (e.g., scarcity of resources, conquests, desire for wealth, disease and trade).
Ancient Greek civilization was strong for about 4,000 years ago. Their culture still
impacts our lives today, in the arts, in philosophy, in science, in math, in literature and in
politics. The ancient Greek civilization began around 800 BC. Eventually the Greeks would build
an empire that would last until the Romans invaded and took over Greece in 146 BC.
The geography of ancient Greece was very important in Greek history and civilization.
Greece is a small country in southeast Europe. One important geographic feature of Greece
was the fact that it was (and still is) a peninsula surrounded by three seas. The Ionian Sea is to
the west. The Aegean Sea is to the east. The Mediterranean Sea is to the south. The seas
isolated the Greeks from other civilizations. Also there are hundreds of small islands which are
part of Greece in these three seas. To the ancient Greeks, the seas were the greatest
resource. The ancient Greeks depended on the sea for fishing. The seas also allowed them to
become excellent sailors.
They sailed all over the Mediterranean trading with other
civilizations. The Greeks even set up colonies in North Africa and Spain. Colonies are when
people from a country or civilization go live somewhere else so they could provide materials to
the mother country. In Greece, the colonies were able to get things that the Greek peninsula
did not have like iron, wood and grains. Iron was used in tools and weapons. Wood was used for
building and the grains were important for foods like bread.
Another important geographic feature of Greece is the mountains. The mountains made
travel very difficult. The mountains were important for two reasons. First, the mountains
isolated the Greeks from other Europeans. Second, the mountains kept Greeks away from
other Greeks. Isolated means kept away from other areas.
As the population of Greece got bigger and bigger, people began living together. Again,
many early towns and cities were isolated from one another because of the mountains. The
towns and cities developed their own governments. As a result of the mountainous geography,
ancient Greece was split into many different states. The people settled into separate cities.
City-states were cities separated from other cities. A city-state was sometimes called a polis.
Each city-state had a central walled city with villages and farmland surrounding it. There was
one government where everyone obeyed the same laws. The people shared the same culture,
religion and language.
City-states ruled a small area. They were not countries. Even though the people living on
Greece all had similar cultures, they were loyal to their city not a whole country. Some famous
city-states were Thebes, Corinth, Olympia, Athens and Sparta.
Essential Questions:
1. How does Greek civilization still affect our lives today?
2. How did the mountains and seas surrounding Greece help create city-states?
3. Why were the colonies important?
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4. What is a city-state? What did all city-states have in common?
5. How is a city-state different from a country?
6. Name 5 Greek city-states.
Assignment: Write 5 questions and answers. Your questions must be information questions.
They must begin with a “Wh” word (who, what, when, where, how, why or which)
Internet Activity > Have students do a search using ”Greek City-state”.


Research features of city-state and write about them.
Create questions and answers.
Timeline- Use the timeline to answer the questions.
6G.2.1 Use maps, charts, graphs, geographic data and available technology tools to draw conclusions about the emergence, expansion and
decline of civilizations, societies and regions
Ancient Greece
776 BC
The first Olympic games.
about 750 BC
Early Greek culture. Homer writes the epics 'The Iliad' and
the 'Odyssey'.
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650 - 580 BC
Corinth is ruled by the tyrant
Kypselos and then his son Periander.
508 BC
Democracy begins in Athens
490 and 480 BC
Greeks defeat Persian invaders at
the battles of Marathon (490
BC)and Salamis (480 BC).
by 450 BC
Athens becomes a very powerful city, and controls an empire.
472 - 410 BC
Greeks theatre thrives in Athens.
Many of the most famous Greek
plays are written during this time.
462 - 429 BC
Perikles is the popular leader at Athens as the general of the
Athenian army
432 BC
The Parthenon in Athens is finished
being built.
431 - 404 BC
War between Athens and Sparta (the Peloponnesian war)
428 BC
The revolt of Mytilene
404 BC
Sparta defeats Athens.
338 BC
Philip, king of Macedonia, takes
control of Greece.
336 - 323 BC
Alexander the Great, son of Philip, conquers most of the
known world as far east as India.
Rome conquers Greece. Greece becomes part of the Roman
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Empire.
146 BC
Questions:
1. When were the first Olympic Games?
2. Why was 508 BC important for Athens?
3. What happened from 490BC to 480 BC?
4. When did Homer write the Iliad and the Odyssey?
5. Why do you think 146 BC is so important in Greek history?
Ancient Greece II > The Minoans
Objective SWBAT ID who the Minoans were and where there civilization thrived.
SWBAT classify the three stages of Minoan history.
SWBAT explain how Minoa became powerful.
6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne
and Qin Shi Huangdi
Prior to the rule of the Greeks, another great civilization flourished in the same region on
the island of Crete south of mainland Greece. These people were known as the Minoans. Minoan
civilization pre-dated Classical Greece by hundreds of years.
The Greeks were great sailors. As the Greeks were out and about, sailing the
Mediterranean Sea in search of food, trade, and adventure, they were also on the lookout for
new places to build Greek cities and outposts. While sailing about, the Greeks stumbled across
a tribe of people living on the island of Crete. These people, the Minoans, were a very advanced
civilization for the times. They had a strong navy, which is probably why the Greeks never
succeeded in colonizing the Minoan people.
The Minoan civilization flourished from around 2500 B.C. until about 1400 B.C. This
civilization was both powerful and advanced. Their might allowed them to control the Aegean
Sea. They controlled trade, wrote stories and enjoyed a high standard of living. The Minoan
king lived in the capital city of Knossos in a palace with 1500 rooms! It was a gorgeous palace.
But during Minoan times, even poor people on the island of Crete had four room houses, with
running water for drinking and bathing, and bathrooms that flushed! This was a very advanced
civilization.
Just as this society was growing and seeing great success, it suddenly disappeared. Many
archeologists believe that it was destroyed by a giant tidal wave and earthquake. This may be
where the legend of the lost continent of Atlantis came from. Others believe that the Minoans
were conquered by another group of people known as the Mycenaeans.
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Essential Questions:
1.
Who were the Minoans and where did their civilization thrive?
2. How did Minoan civilization become powerful?
Use the reading to help you complete each sentence.
1.
Minoan civilization __________ Classical Greece by hundreds of years.
2.
The Minoans lived on the island of ___________.
3.
The Minoan king lived in the capital city of _________in a palace.
4.
Many _________believe that it was destroyed by a giant tidal wave.
5.
Some archaeologist believe the Minoans may have been conquered by the __________.
Ancient Greece III > The Mycenaeans
Objective SWBAT ID who the Mycenaens were and where there civilization thrived. SWBAT summarize major
accomplishments.
6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne
and Qin Shi Huangdi
The Mycenaeans originated in Central Asia. As their population grew, they began to
spread into the Balkan Peninsula. By around 1400 B.C., the Mycenaeans had overrun the Minoans
and began to rule as the dominant culture in the area
In order to protect their people, the Mycenaeans built large fortresses and villages
astride hills and mountain tops. These fortresses offered a place of refuge during times of
danger. The King was in charge of both political and religious issues. Below him was a chain of
command that covered everything from the military to collecting taxes and organizing trade.
The governmental structure was strong and effective.
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Not all Mycenaean people lived in the fortresses. Most of them (the lower class) lived
nearby. Taking care of crops and animals, they were like farmers and ranchers of today, and
were considered self-employed. Sheep and goats were raised for milk and wool. The most
common crops were grains, olives for olive oil and grapes, which they used to make wine. Herbs,
honey and spices were also commonly grown and produced. Mycenaean farmers traded among
themselves to get what they needed and paid their taxes in crops and goods. These fed the
royal household and staff, plus became trade goods for the kingdom.
Agriculture was not the only industry of the Mycenaeans. Using wool from sheep and
goats. Mycenanea produced valuable and well-made textiles. Metal work was also a bustling
industry in the Mycenaean culture. Swords, weapons and other metal goods were produced in
mass quantity, employing hundreds of people in these areas, as well. The Mycenaeans had
another, less likely industry. They made perfumes! By mixing oils and spices, they created
scents that also became trade goods.
The Mycenaeans had a very prosperous society. Their trade kept them financially sound.
Their military kept them safe. They were considered a warrior people. Expansion (growing their
country) was very important to them. They were the downfall of other, less powerful cultures,
including the Minoans. The famous city of Troy in Asia Minor also fell to the Mycenaeans.
Legend tells us that the Mycenaeans fought to rescue their Princess Helen from the Trojans.
After a long siege they still could not take the city of Troy. To gain entrance to the city, the
Mycenaeans devised a plan to hide themselves inside a wooden horse disguised as a gift for the
Trojans. Once the horse was wheeled inside the city, the warriors escaped and were finally
able to defeat Troy. This was the legend of the Trojan Horse.
Not much is known about the religious practices of the Mycenaeans. They worshipped
many gods, but only a few names of their many gods have appeared in tablets uncovered in
archeological digs. Almost no temples or central places of worship have been discovered.
No one really knows how the Mycenaean civilization ended. Most historians and
archeologists believe it was either an invasion or civil unrest. Some theorize it was a nation
called the Dorians. Still another group of historians believe that the civilization collapsed in
upon itself after the lower class became unhappy with the government and rebelled. Either way,
by 1100 BC, the Mycenaeans civilization disappeared, leaving only ruins to leave clues to their
existence.
Essential Questions:
1. Who were the Mycenaeans and where were they from?
2. Name at least 3 Mycenaean accomplishments.
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Question Creation- Now write 10 questions and answers of your own using the text.
Ancient Greece- IV > Government and Greek City-States
Objective > SWBAT pinpoint when classic Greek culture began. SWBAT explain the components of the Greek city-state. SWBAT identify
the 4 major forms of government in Greek City-states and define each. SWBAT evaluate which type of city-state government in which they
would have preferred to dwell
6H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies and regions (e.g., Mongol invasion, The Crusades,
the Peopling of the Americas and Alexander the Great).
6C&G.1.1 Explain the origins and structures of various governmental systems (e.g., democracy, absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy).
6C.1.3 Summarize systems of social structure within various civilizations and societies over time (e.g., Roman class structure, Indian caste
system and feudal, matrilineal and patrilineal societies).
By 1100 B.C., the Mycenaean civilization came to an end. Historians are not sure what
happened to their civilization, but one theory is they were over-run by a group of people known
as the Dorians. After conquering the region, the Dorians fell into a ‘Dark Age.’ Poverty became
wide-spread, and important skills such as reading and writing were lost. This dark age lasted for
about 300 years.
Then, around 750 B.C., a group known as the Ionians brought many elements of culture,
including reading, writing and art, back into the region. This began a new era of civilization
referred to as the Hellenic Period. During this period, the Greeks rose to become one of the
most powerful civilizations anywhere in the world
The Greeks were loyal to their city not a whole country. Each Greek city-state was called
a polis. The word polis still shows up in many English words today, such as politics, police, and
metropolis. A polis typically included a city, along with surrounding villages, and fields. Typically
a polis or city-state had a high hill at the center, called the acropolis. At the top of the
acropolis, the Greeks built temples to their patron gods. At the base of the acropolis the
Greeks carried out the business of the polis, including merchant activities, such as buying and
selling goods, as well as the business of their government.
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The Greeks had a lot of different governments because each city-state had its own
government. There were four major kinds of governments. The four kinds of government were
monarchy, oligarchy, tyranny and democracy. In the beginning most city-states were
monarchies but over time the city-states used the other three kinds.
The earliest form of government in Greece was the monarchy. A monarchy is a
government ruled by a king. The king had total power and control over the military. Rules were
made and enforced by the king. A monarchy was also hereditary. This meant the king’s son
became the next king. Most Greek monarchies were between 2,000 BC and 1,200 BC. The
Greek people supported their king and the monarchy
Eventually many of the monarchies became oligarchies. An oligarchy is a government
ruled by a few powerful people called aristocrats. Aristocrats were rich men who made all the
rules of society. Many times the rich men would fight among themselves for power. Sometimes
this led to tyranny. Tyranny was when one man took power of the whole government. A tyrant
ruled like a king but did not have the legal right to rule. He came to power by force and often
the people did not like him.
In 510 BC, the city-state of Athens created the first democracy. A democracy is a
government where all the citizens participate in government. The citizens elect leaders. Our
government we have today is based on what the Athenians began. In a democracy, citizens vote
for leaders. The leaders make laws and enforce laws. In a democracy, no one person has all the
power. The power is shared by the people.
At any time in Ancient Greece, you could find a city-state that had one of these kinds of
governments. Each city-state decided for itself. Greece was not unified as one country yet.
The Greeks had similar language, religion and culture but they were loyal to their cities first
not a unified Greek nation.
By the end, most city-states granted rights to their citizens. These citizens could vote
for their leaders, own property, and participate in both government and civic responsibilities.
Not everyone who lived in a city-state was a citizen, however. These city-states had many slaves
and foreigners who did not have the rights of those native born men. Most women also did not
have the rights of a citizen.
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Essential Questions:
1. Which group of people led Greece out of its “Dark Age” and began the Hellenic Period?
2. What were the components of a polis or city-state?
3. Name and describe the 4 main types of government found throughout Greek city-states.
Writing Prompt:
Which type of city-states do you think you would have preferred to dwell and explain why.
Assignment: Write 5 questions and answers. Your questions must be information questions.
They must begin with a “Wh” word (who, what, when, where, how, why or which)
Ancient Greece- V > Athens vs.Sparta
Objective SWBAT identify differences between society in Athens and in society in Sparta
6H.2.2 Compare historical and contemporary events and issues to understand continuity and change
6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne
and Qin Shi Huangdi
6C&G.1.1 Explain the origins and structures of various governmental systems (e.g., democracy, absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy).
6C&G.1.2 Summarize the ideas that shaped political thought in various civilizations, societies and regions (e.g., divine right, equality, liberty
citizen participation and integration of religious principles).
6C&G.1.3 Compare the requirements for (e.g., age, gender and status) and responsibilities of (e.g., paying taxes and military service) citizenship
under various governments.
6C.1.3 Summarize systems of social structure within various civilizations and societies over time (e.g., Roman class structure, Indian caste
system and feudal, matrilineal and patrilineal societies).
Remember, in ancient Greece people lived in city-states. Each state had its own laws and
governments. However, all of the city-states did have the same language and religion. Two
Greek city-states competed with each other for the title of most important and most powerful.
These two city-states were Athens and Sparta.
Originally, both Athens are Sparta were monarchies. Around 700 B.C., both Athens and
Sparta where ruled by powerful kings. These kings slowly lost power to local merchants and
noblemen. The lower classes were not given any rights nor authority. This was a source of anger
and a possible cause of revolts. The farmers and other lower classes demanded that their
voices be heard, and that their rights be granted. Both Athens and Sparta faced great
challenges. How would they maintain their control and influence over their people? Each citystate solved this challenge very differently.
Assignment: Write 5 questions and answers. Your questions must be information questions.
They must begin with a “Wh” word (who, what, when, where, how, why or which)
Athens
Athens was a beautiful city with many public buildings, baths and shops. Athens was
named after the Greek goddess Athena (Goddess of Wisdom). Athens is in southeastern
Greece. It is surrounded by mountains and the sea to the east. The Acropolis was built on top
of a hill in Athens. The Acropolis was where the Greeks built their temples for their Gods. The
Acropolis was like a city for the Greek gods. Another famous place in Athens was the Agora.
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The Agora was like a giant market place. This is where the people came to talk to friends and
buy goods.
Athens did not have a king. It was a democracy. Citizens were able to vote for leaders
and were able to help make laws.
The people of Athens granted rights and privileges of
citizenship to all the lower classes. Every male member of their city-state were given the same
rights as the wealthiest politicians. They could buy property, serve in public office, and
participate in other aspects of daily life. Athenian men were highly educated. They began their
formal education at the age of seven and continued until age eighteen. The reason that they
placed such high importance on educating all young men was because it was likely that everyone
would at some point have an opportunity to serve in public life. Instead of voting for their
public leaders, these leaders were selected at random through the process of a lottery. The
Athenians believed that any male was capable of making a good leader, and they worried about
votes being influenced by those with money or important family names.
The male citizens met on a hill in Athens. Anyone was allowed to talk and tell the
government what it should be doing. When the citizens met on the hill to vote and to talk it was
called the Assembly. The Assembly was made of all the citizens of Athens.
Athenian
democracy was not like the democracy we have today. Only citizens over 18 could vote. Women,
slaves and foreigners could not become citizens. Democracy in Athens meant rule by the men
of Athens. The Athenians had many slaves. Most of the slaves were people who were captured
in wars. Slaves did a lot of the hard labor like picking crops or moving heavy stones for building
The Athenians also introduced the concept of trial by jury. Juries might be made up of
more than 1,000 individuals, which they believed insured that no one could bribe them. A
decision of a jury had to be made by the majority vote.
This freedom and emphasis on education helped create an atmosphere that would produce
some of the most important advancements that the Greeks are credited for; everything from
science, to art, to medicine. Athens became a center of culture and education for the entire
world.
The people of Athens lived below the Acropolis. The Parthenon was a temple built on the highest part of the Acropolis. The Parthenon was built for
Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war.
Parthenon, a temple
Essential Questions:
1. Why was Athens considered a democracy?
2. How was democracy in Athens different from democracy we have today?
3. How do you think democracy in Athens led to its high cultural standing?
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Assignment: Write 10 questions and answers. Your questions must be information questions.
They must begin with a “Wh” word (who, what, when, where, how, why or which)
Sparta
Sparta was much different than Athens. It did not have all the glorious buildings like
Athens did. Sparta was in southern Greece. It was surrounded by mountains. The mountains
helped protect the city from invaders. Sparta was a military society. It was the only city-state
that had a full time army. Boys were taken from their mothers at age seven to be trained in
warfare. Spartan men were soldiers until they either died in battle or were too old to fight at
the age of 60. Boys and men spent their whole lives training and fighting. Since all Spartan men
were soldiers, slaves called Helots did all the farming. Helots were allowed to keep some of
their crops for themselves but most of it was given to Spartan citizens. Helots were often
captured in battles from other Greek city-states.
Spartan emphasis on war was very effective at keeping obedience and loyalty in their
city-state. Sparta’s military expertise has been credited for many victories that helped protect
the other city-states. However, Sparta did not focus on much else. As a result, they were
poorer, and less technically advanced than the other city-states
Sparta had a much different kind of government than other Greek city-states. Spartan
government was both an oligarchy and a monarchy. It had two kings but the rich and powerful
were part of an Assembly which made the laws. The kings made sure the laws were followed.
Because Sparta was at war so often one king stayed at home to protect society and the other
king led the war. In some ways it was similar to the Untied States where our Congress makes
laws and the President enforces them. However, in Sparta only a few people had any say in
their government whereas in America everyone participates.
Essential Questions:
1. What type of government did Sparta have?
2. What kind of society was Sparta?
Assignment: Write 10 questions and answers. Your questions must
be information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word (who,
what, when, where, how, why or which)
Ancient Greece Part VI >The Peloponnesian War
Objective SWBAT explain the causes and effects of the Peloponnesian War.
SWBAT predict what became of Greece due to the war.
6H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies
and regions (e.g., Mongol invasion, The Crusades, the Peopling of the Americas and Alexander the
Great).
Over time, Athens gradually became richer and more
powerful than all the other city-states. As its influence grew, the
leaders of Athens began to demand loyalty from the other citystates. This loyalty was further strengthened when an alliance was
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formed to fight the Persians, who were invading Greece. After the Persians were defeated, the
troops raised for the war were used by Athens to control the other city-states.
Shortly after, an Athenian general by the name of Pericles insisted that all criminal trials
be held in Athens. He also attempted to force the other city-states to adopt and use Athens
money.
Led by Sparta, the other city-states rebelled against the growing strength of Athens.
The war that followed is known as the Peloponnesian War. This war lasted from 431 B.C. until
404 B.C., and had devastating effects on Greece.
At first it appeared that Athens would win. Their powerful navy dominated the
Mediterranean Sea. However, Sparta’s hatred of Athens was deep. The Spartans made a deal
with Persia, their former enemy. They traded the Persians land for money. Sparta then used
this gold to build a navy of its own.
For decades, the war tore the city-states of Greece apart. Finally, in 404 B.C., Sparta
was able to conquer the city of Athens and demand its surrender. Though Sparta had won, no
one could claim victory. The war had resulted in the deaths of many of their citizens. Orchards,
vineyards and fields had been destroyed. The treasuries of the city-states had been destroyed,
and faith in democracy had been reduced. As a result of the Peloponnesian War, Greece became
weaker and poorer.
Within a few decades, when attacked by the Macedonians, they would be completely
unable to defend themselves, and their civilization would collapse
Essential Questions:
1. What were the causes and effects of the Peloponnesian War?
Assignment: Write 5 questions and answers. Your questions must be information questions.
They must begin with a “Wh” word (who, what, when, where, how, why or which)
Ancient Greece VII >Alexander the Great- Creation of an Empire
Objective SWBAT explain how both Philip and Alexander saved Greek city-states from each other and created an
empire. SWBAT examine the legacy of Alexander the Great and explain his impact on European history.
6H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies and regions (e.g., Mongol invasion, The
Crusades, the Peopling of the Americas and Alexander the Great).
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6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne
and Qin Shi Huangdi
6C.1 Explain how the behaviors and practices of individuals and groups influenced societies, civilizations and regions.
Many of the ancient Greek city-states were constantly at war with each other. They
fought for many reasons but mostly about land and control over trade. City-states made
alliances with each other. An alliance was like a friendship. If one city-state attacked another
city-state then other city-states would join the war with their alliance partners. Think of it
this way. Let’s say you have a friend who is attacked by another student. You join in to help
your friend even though the other student didn’t do anything to you. You are just trying to help
your friend but all of a sudden the other boy also has friends who try to help him. Before you
know it, there aren’t just two boys fighting but rather there are ten boys fighting. This is what
it was like for the Greek city-states. Wars between two city-sates brought in other citystates. The most famous war was the Peloponnesian War. Athens and Sparta fought each
other for many years (431 BC-404 BC). Sparta eventually won the war but thousands of Greeks
were killed before it was over. The Greek city-states all fought against each other constantly.
They only fought together when there was a greater enemy from outside Greece. The Greeks
biggest enemy was the Persian Empire to the east. The Persians tried to take over Greece. All
of the Greek city-states came together to beat the Persians several times, but after the
Persians left they would start fighting each other again.
By the fourth century BC (300s BC) the city-states had fought so much that the Greek
population went down. Greeks were killing each other. They became so weak that they were
targeted for invasion. Macedonia was a kingdom north of the Peloponnesian city-states.
Macedonians were a collection of Dorian and Ionian tribes. Remember Greece was not a nation.
Macedonians were basically Greek in culture but just part of another kingdom.
King Philip of Macedonia wanted to take over and unite the Greek city-states. King Philip
II of Macedonia was the first Greek leader to organize Greek city-states to form union. Before
he could complete his mission totally he was murdered. Afterwards his son Alexander the
Great took control and achieved his dream and much more.
Alexander had been taught by the famous Athenian teacher, Aristotle. Aristotle
instructed Alexander in politics, war, and in critical thinking. At the age of 16, Alexander was
made a captain in the Macedonian armies where he gained the respect of his soldiers for his
bravery and battle strategies. When Alexander was 20 years old his father was murdered.
After the death of his father, Alexander became the king of Macedonia.
Having been tutored by Aristotle, Alexander admired the Greeks. He thought that their
culture was refined and that it had many things to offer. Alexander also admired the Persian
culture, seeing many things that he thought were noteworthy.
Alexander was determined to conquer both Greece and Persia. He wanted to combine
them into an empire. Alexander was an excellent military leader. He conquered other Greek
city-states, but unlike the Spartans he did not make his fellow Greeks into slaves. He made
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them all Greeks fighting together for one cause. For the next 13 years Alexander, now known as
Alexander the Great, marched his troops from battle to battle, conquering more and more
territory. Alexander conquered territories outside of Greece and created an empire. An empire
is when a country controls areas outside its own country. Alexander even went all the way to
India. By uniting all the Greeks, both Phillip and Alexander saved Greeks from killing
themselves and at the same time built a gigantic Greek empire.
At the age of 33, Alexander the Great contracted a fever which quickly took his life. The
empire he had worked so hard to build was divided among three of his generals whose decedents
ruled these three territories as separate empires. However, even though his kingdom did not
last long, his influence and legacy did. The conquests of Alexander the Great spread the Greek
culture throughout much of Europe and Asia. The Greek culture mixed with other cultures,
forming a new type of civilization which is today referred to as Hellenistic. These Hellenistic
cities spoke Greek and practiced many of the religious and other cultural practices first
introduced by the Greeks. Greece as a nation was gone, but as a culture, it had been spread
throughout the known world. In Egypt a new city was founded by the name of Alexandria. In
Alexandria, the first museum was founded in the history of the world. This museum included a
zoo, a botanical garden, and a vast library. Scientists and scholars from around the world
traveled to Alexandria to study the works collected there.
Even today, many thousands of years later, the Greek culture continues to influence many
aspects of Western culture. This small nation has become one of the most influential cultures in
the history of the world.
Essential Questions:
1. Why were Greek city-states constantly at war with each other?
2. How did King Philip and Alexander unite the Greeks?
3. What was Alexander the Great’s legacy and explain his impact on European history?
Assignment Finish each sentence.
1. If one city-state attacked another city-state then other city-states would join the war
with their __________________________ partners.
2. Alexander
had
been
taught
by
the
famous
Athenian
teacher,
_________________________________.
3. Alexander
was
determined
to
conquer
both
Greece
and
_____________________________.
4. Alexander
conquered
territories
outside
of
Greece
and
created
an
___________________________.
5. The conquests of Alexander the Great spread the Greek culture throughout much of
________________________.
Assignment: Write 10 questions and answers. Your questions must be information questions.
They must begin with a “Wh” word (who, what, when, where, how, why or which)
Ancient Greece VIII> Religion in Ancient Greece
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Objective SWBAT explain why the gods and goddesses were important in everyday life. SWBAT show how Greek
religion was important in people’s lives just like current religions are important in people’s lives today.
6C.1.2 Explain how religion transformed various societies, civilizations and regions (e.g., beliefs, practices and spread of Buddhism, Christianity,
Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism).
Many of the civilizations that existed prior to the Greeks believed in gods and goddesses
that were terrible, mean, and most importantly, that were not human. Instead, these gods often
took the form of animals, monsters and beasts. The people believed that mankind existed for
the sole purpose of serving and pleasing the gods. The Greeks had a new outlook on religion.
They believed that the gods and mankind had a partnership with one another and that both
existed to serve one another. They believed that their gods were human in form and that they
exhibited human emotions, including jealously, love and hatred. Their gods married, had families,
and even committed murder. The only difference between mankind and the gods was that the
gods had supernatural powers while mankind did not. Greek students were taught to strive to be
the best individuals they could possibly be so that they could be more like the gods.
Religion was important for the Ancient Greeks.
The Greeks were polytheistic.
Polytheism is the belief in many gods not just one. The Greeks believed that the twelve most
important and most powerful gods lived on top of a mountain in northern Greece known as Mount
Olympus. From this holy mountain, the people believed that the gods ruled and controlled all
aspects of the natural world as well as all aspects of the lives of individual people. They
created myths and poems to honor their gods. The Greeks believed the gods and goddesses
controlled everything that happened in the world. There was a god or goddess for almost
everything. For example, Poseidon was the god of the sea. Greeks going on a boat would ask
Poseidon to help them at sea. It was important to keep the gods happy. If you made the gods
happy they might help you but if you made the gods angry they might punish you.
Each Greek city-state selected a patron god as their protector. This god was worshiped
in an effort to please them. To honor their gods the Greeks built temples. The temples were
where the Greeks would go to pray. Each temple was built for a specific god or goddess. For
example the Parthenon in Athens was built for Athena. The Greeks believe the twelve most
important gods/goddesses live on top of Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus is in northern Greece.
It is the highest mountain in Greece. To the Greeks the highest mountain had to be home to
the gods and goddesses. Zeus was the ruler of all Gods. Athena was the goddess of wisdom and
warfare. Apollo was the god of the sun. Aphrodite was the goddess of love. These are just a
few of the Greek gods and goddesses.
Essential Questions:
1. How did Greek religion differ from earlier religions?
2. Why were the gods and goddesses so important to Greek people?
3. How is religion to people today similar to religion to the people of Ancient Greece?
Assignment: Write 10 questions and answers. Your questions must be information questions.
They must begin with a “Wh” word (who, what, when, where, how, why or which)
Internet/Research- Use internet to search for Greek gods/goddesses. Choose 5 and tell who
they were and why they were important.
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Zeus surrounded by the other Gods at Olympus
Ancient Greece IX> Philosophy in Ancient Greece
Objective SWBAT identify the three great Ancient Greek philosophers.
significance.
SWBAT summarize each ones
6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne
and Qin Shi Huangdi
Socrates
Ancient Greece was an advanced civilization. Athens was a rich city-state with many
educated people. The Greeks wrote many books on religion and philosophy. A philosopher is a
person who studies and thinks about why the world is the way it is. They try to explain why
things happen the way they do.
During the golden age of freedom and education in Athens, many teachers traveled
around Greece educating the young. One of the most famous of these teachers and philosophers
was a man named Socrates. Many of the teachers of his day taught that a man should consider
the consequences of his actions before making a decision. Socrates taught that the
consequences did not matter. What was most important was that you always did what was right.
He believed that if something was right, it did not matter what would happen to you, you should
do it. Socrates also taught his students to think for themselves. He created a teaching method
known today as the Socratic Method, which helped students think clearly. He taught people to
think for themselves and not simply accept what you were told just because someone was older
or in a position of authority.
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Unfortunately, other people thought Socrates was against democracy. They believed he was
corrupting the young people and that he disrespected the gods. In 399 B.C.E. he was brought to
trial, found guilty, and sentenced to death.
Plato
Many people, especially young people, became loyal followers of Socrates. One of his most
famous students was Plato. Plato became another famous philosopher. He wrote down some of
Socrates’ ideas, which is why we know about him, as Socrates himself wrote nothing down.
Plato was an experienced soldier and politician, but he left Athenian politics after
Socrates was executed. Around 387 B.C.E. he returned to Athens. At the age of 30, Plato
founded the Academy and taught there until he died in 347 B.C.E. The Academy was a school
that lasted for 900 years, longer than any other known school. Plato believed that an ideal
education consisted of 10 years learning arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and harmonics,
followed by 5 years learning dialectics--the art of question and answer.
Plato authored a book which he titled "The Republic," which outlined what he believed
was the perfect government. Plato felt that a democracy was not the most effective form of
government, because the lower classes of people could not be trusted. He felt that the higher
classes, which were more educated, ought to be in charge of the government.
In “The Republic”, Plato also explains that people are comfortable not knowing the truth
because they don’t know any different. If a person starts to learn the truth he may become
scared and want to return to being ignorant. But as he keeps looking, the truth becomes less
frightening and he is no longer happy to stay ignorant.
Aristotle
Some people say that Aristotle was the greatest philosopher of all. He was certainly one
of Plato’s best students. He spent twenty years at Plato’s Academy, first as a student, then a
researcher, and finally a teacher. After studying with Plato for nearly 20 years, Aristotle set
out on his own as a teacher. He opened a school in Athens where he taught on everything from
science, to politics, to critical thinking. Aristotle wrote over 200 books during his life. These
books would remain long after his death, and would affect Western thinking for centuries to
come.
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When Aristotle was about 17 he was sent to Athens to study. Plato soon recognized his
brilliance and referred to him as the “Intellect of the School”. He only left the Academy when
Plato died in 347 B.C.E. Aristotle was eventually was hired by King Philip of Macedonia to
become Alexander’s teacher. He taught Alexander for the next 12 years. With a teacher like
that, no wonder Alexander became known as “Great”! When Philip died, Alexander set off on his
expedition into Asia, and Aristotle went back to Athens. Here he opened his own school, the
Lyceum. Alexander supported his school with gifts of what today would be over 4 million dollars.
For another 12 years he taught at his school and people think that this is when he wrote his
most important notes and books.
When Alexander the Great died, the Athenian enemies of the Macedonians became
powerful. They accused Aristotle of being disrespectful to the gods. Aristotle knew that
Socrates had been accused of the same thing and sentenced to death, so he escaped from
Athens and went to Chalcis, where he died the same year, 323 B.C.E. He was 61.
Aristotle is famous for writing about all aspects of the world. He wrote about poetry,
ethics (standards of behavior), logic, rhetoric (the art of using language), weather, and more. In
fact, he studied and wrote about every part of science that was then known and he is still
considered one of the greatest thinkers of all time.
Essential Questions:
1. Who were the three great philosophers in Greece? Why was each important?
Assignment: For each sentence write Socrates, Plato or Aristotle.
1. I taught Alexander the Great. ___________________________
2. I am considered the first great philosopher of Athens. ________________________
3. I was a student of Socrates. __________________________
4. I was a student of Plato. ___________________________
5. I taught his students to think for themselves. _______________________
6. I wrote a book called “The Republic” ___________________
7. In 399 B.C.E. I was accused of being against democracy, brought to trial, found guilty,
and sentenced to death. ____________________
8. I am famous for writing about all aspects of the world. I wrote about poetry, ethics
(standards of behavior), logic, rhetoric (the art of using language), weather, and more.
_______________________
Assignment: Write 5 questions and answers about each philosopher. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word (who, what, when, where, how, why or
which)
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