Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Ancient Greek astronomy wikipedia , lookup
Greek contributions to Islamic world wikipedia , lookup
Spartan army wikipedia , lookup
Pontic Greeks wikipedia , lookup
First Peloponnesian War wikipedia , lookup
History of science in classical antiquity wikipedia , lookup
Greek Revival architecture wikipedia , lookup
Ancient Greek literature wikipedia , lookup
Corinthian War wikipedia , lookup
Economic history of Greece and the Greek world wikipedia , lookup
Ancient Greece Consists of a mountainous peninsula and numerous islands that make up area of land about size of Louisiana 2 peninsulas make up much of landmass Isthmus of Corinth connects Peloponnese peninsula to mainland 80% of Greece is mountainous- Pindus Mountains divides mainland Mount Olympus is highest peak Small plains & river valleys are surrounded by high mountain ranges Mountains isolated Greeks from one other Different communities formed different ways of life Became fiercely independent: people became more involved in political affairs but also led to rivalries btwn communities Aegean, Mediterranean & Ionian seas make up borders Coastline dotted with bays and inlets- many harbors No part of Greek mainland is more than 60 miles from a body of water Ancient Greeks also lived on number of islands- became strong seafarers Minoan civilization: Bronze Age on the island of Crete-2700 BC- 1450 BC Not Greek BUT influenced people of Greek mainland Named after Minos- legendary king of Crete Palace complex at Knossos- once found revealed rich culture and center of far-ranging sea empire based on trade Traded pottery & gold/silver jewelry Trade also helped Minoans improve their goods-drew inspiration and techniques from other cultures Knossos royal seat of the kings- elaborate building with private living rooms, workshops & bathrooms with elaborate drains Rooms brightly decorated and storerooms held gigantic jars of oil, wine and grain paid as taxes to king The Bull-Leaping Fresco, as it has come to be called, is the most completely restored of several stucco panels originally sited on the upper-story portion of the east wall of the palace at Knossos in Crete. Civilization suddenly and catastrophically collapsed around 1450 BC Some historians think a volcanic eruption triggered a tidal wave Most believe destruction was a result of invasion by the Mycenaeans 1600 BC- 1100 BC Name comes from Mycenae- fortified site on Greek mainland Part of the Indo-European family- made up of powerful monarchies that lived in fortified palaces Built on hills surrounded by stone walls Royal family inside- civilians scattered outside Monarchies probably formed a loose alliance of indep states Important part of city centers were tombs-tholos Built into hillsides- for royal family Resembled a beehive Warriors who prided themselves on their heroic deeds in battle Murals often show war and hunting scenes Monarchies developed extensive commercial networks Pottery found throughout Mediterranean Conquerors: took over Crete and some of the Aegean Greatest tale told by Homer: Mycenaeans, led by Agamemnon, sacked city of Troy Late 13th century BC- showing signs of trouble States fought one another & earthquakes caused major damage By 12th century BC new waves of Greek-speaking invaders moved in from the north 1100 BC: Mycenaean civilization collapsed After collapse of Mycenaean civilization, Greece entered period where population declined and food production dropped 1100 BC- 750 BC: Dark Ages Many Greeks left mainland and sailed across Aegean to various islands Popular destination: Ionia (modern day Turkey) Iron replaced bronze in weaponry- making weapons more affordable Iron farming tools helped reverse decline in food production Aeolian Greeks colonized large island of Lesbos and territory near mainland Dorians Greeks established in southwestern Greece Peloponnese, southern Aegean islands & Crete Epic poem: long poem that tells the deeds of a great hero Illiad and the Odyssey were the first great epic poems- based on stories passed on through generations Based on stories of the Trojan War Homer was important to Greeks- felt he did not record history but created it Gave Greeks ideal past with many heroes Epics came to be used as basic texts to educate generations of Greek males Values Homer taught were courage and honor Hero strives for excellence (arete) Arete won in struggle or contest- model of heroism and honor Through willingness to fight hero protects family and friends, preserves his own honor and earns his reputation Polis: Greek city-state Main gathering place was usually a hill- at the top a fortified areas called acropolis Served as place of refuge during attack Sometimes religious center where temples and public buildings built Below acropolis was agora- open area where people could assemble and as a market City-states differed in size and population Polis was a community of people who shared common identity and goals Variety of citizens with… Political rights (adult males) No political rights (women and children) Noncitizens (laborers, slaves) Citizens had rights but also responsibilities to the state Loyalty citizens had to their states also had negative side States distrusted each other and division led to its demise As polis developed so did a new military system By 700 BC system based on hoplites-heavily armed foot soldiers Went into battle as unit marching shoulder to shoulder in rectangle formation known as phalanx Close formation created wall of shields to protect hoplites As long as kept order- hard to harm them New colonies formed along Mediterranean Southern Italy and France, eastern Spain & northern Africa Also formed along Black Sea-Hellespont and Bosporus straights Most famous- Byzantium (now Istanbul) Establishing colonies Spread culture and political ideas Gave great economic advantages: trade and industry Mainland Greek exported pottery, wine & olive oil- in return received grains, metals, fish, timber, wheat and slaves Expansion of trade and industry created new group of wealthy individuals Men wanted political powers but found it difficult to gain because of the ruling aristocrats Landowners not willing to give up political power to newly rich merchants Creation of new group of rich men fostered the rise of tyrants: rulers who seized power by force from the aristocrats Supported by those newly rich due to trade and industry Poor peasants also supported b/c in debt to aristocrats Hungry for social status and political influence Tyrants gained power and kept it using hired soldiers Once in power tyrants tried to help the poor and launched public works projects Built new marketplaces, temples and walls Efforts glorified city and increased tyrants popularity Despite achievements tyrants eventually seen as oppressive By end of 6th ce BC tyrants no longer favored-was insult to the rule of law Tyrants ended the role of aristocrats in many city-states & people were able to participate in gov’t Some states developed a democracy, others an oligarchy Conquered other civilizations when they needed more land People they conquered were made to work for Spartans Known as helots 800-600 BC rigidly organized and tightly controlled Males spent childhood learning military discipline Enrolled in army at 20 Lived in military barracks until 30- after could move home but stayed in army until 60 All meals eaten in public dining halls While men in the barracks women lived at home Because of separation had more freedom and power in the household Expected to remain fit and bear children Upheld strict Spartan values expecting husbands and sons to be brave in war Government was oligarchy headed by 2 kings 5 men known as ephors elected each year and responsible for education of youth and conduct of citizens Council of elders, kings and 28 citizens over 60 decided on issues to be presented to assembly to vote To make military secure Spartans turned back on outside world Foreigners discouraged from visiting Except for military Spartans not allowed to travel- might encounter ideas dangerous to stability of state Spartan citizens discouraged from studying literature, philosophy or the arts- the art of war was the most important Originally ruled by a king but by 7th ce BC became oligarchy under rule of aristocrats Owned best land and controlled politics By end of 600 BC economic problems caused political turmoil Draco, a politician, add harsh penalties- slavery for debt Farmers sold into slavery for being in debt 594 BC full power given to Solon- aristocrat Canceled all land debts and freed people who were in slavery due to debt Refused to take land from the rich and give it to the poor Despite’s Solon’s reforms aristocrats were still powerful and poor peasants could not obtain land Internal strife eventually led to tyranny Peisistratus, aristocrat, seized power in 560 BC Aided trade to win support of merchants Gave aristocrats land to peasants-gain favor of poor Athenians rebelled against Peisistratus’ son and ended tyranny in 510 BC 2 yrs later- Cleisthenes, another reformer, gained upper hand Created council that supervised foreign affairs, oversaw treasury and proposed laws Because assembly now had central political role reforms of Cleisthenes created basis for Athenian democracy As Greeks spread, came in contact with Persians to the East 490 BC, seeking revenge for unsuccessful revolt by Ionian cities, Persians landed in Marathon (26 mi from Athens) Defeated by outnumbered Athenian army Legend says news of Persia’s defeat brought by runner names Pheidippides who ran from Marathon to Athens “Victory, we win” before dropping dead Although victory at Marathon minor- gave Athenians new confidence in their city-state that Persians could be defeated After Darius’ death in 486 BC Xerxes became new monarch Vowed revenge and planned attack In preparation Greek city-states came together in defense under Spartans Athenians stayed solo and created a navy- by time Persians attacked in 480 BC had fleet of 200 vessels Xerxes led massive invasion into Greece-180,000 troops, warships and supply vessels Despite differences Greeks united by common goal of defeating Persian invaders Greeks tried to delay Persians at Thermopylae- main road into central Greece 7,000 held them off for 2 days- esp 300 Spartans Traitor told Persians how to use mountain path to outflank the Greek force Near island of Salamis outnumbered Greek fleet defeated Persians Few months later (479 BC) Greeks formed largest army to date and defeated Persians at Plataea to control the Aegean Sea After defeating Persians, Greeks divided into 2 main camps Athenian Empire: Athens & Delian League Sparta & supporters: Peloponnesian League Athens and Sparta had different societies that neither could tolerate Series of disputes led to Great Peloponnesian War in 431 BC Athenian strategy: remain behind city’s protective walls and receive supplies from colonies and navy Spartans allies surrounded Athens hoping Athenians would send out army to fight Pericles knew Spartan forces could beat them in open battle so stayed put Second year of war plague broke out in overcrowded Athens- killed 1/3 of people Pericles died following year (429 BC) Despite losses Athenians fought on for another 25 years 405 BC- crushing blow to Athenians when fleet was destroyed in Aegospotami Within next year Athens surrendered Walls torn down, navy disbanded, empire destroyed Great war over but also age of classical Greek culture and government Weakened major Greek states and ruined possibility of cooperation between them During next 67 years Sparta, Athens and Thebes struggled to dominate Greek affairs Please get your book off the shelf and take out your homework. Discobolus by Myron 450 BC Greeks viewed Macedonians as barbarians Macedonians: rural people of farmers & agricultural laborers organized into groups Leaders focused mostly on defending Northern borders By end of 5th ce emerged a powerful kingdom Phillip II came to throne in 359 BC Turned Macedonia into chief power of Greek World Wanted to unite all of Greece under his rule Battle of Chaeronea: 338 BC Athenians and other Greeks fought Macedonians and lost Phillip quickly gained control of all of Greece Before could invade Asia- assassinated and throne went to son Alexander Alexander the Great only 20 when took throne Father taught him basics of military leadership After father’s death, moved quickly to fulfill father’s dream- invade Persian Empire Motivated by glory and to avenge Persian burning of Athens in 480 BC Spring 334 BC- Alexander entered Asia Minor Army of 37,000 (Macedonians & Greeks) Cavalry about 5,000 Next year: Alexander freed Ionian Greek cities from Persians Winter 332 BC: Syria, Palestine & Egypt under control Built Alexandria as Greek capital of Egypt 331 BC: battle with Persians and Gaugamela Gained control over rest of Persian empire Next 3 years: moved as far as Pakistan 326 BC: reached India but campaigning became hard Soldiers refused to move farther Led troops back home through desserts of Iran- many died Returned to Babylon to plan more conquests 323 BC: died at 32 Exhaustion from wounds, fever and too much alcohol Success explained by his leadership and military skills Master of strategy and tactics All terrains, all types of opponents Brave and reckless- tried to be like Achilles Created large empire and legacy Brought large quantities of gold and silver into economy Cultural legacy Greek language, architecture, literature, art and religion spread through Asia and N. Africa Greek culture blended with aspects of Eastern culture to become a new Hellenistic culture Hellenistic comes from Greek word meaning “to imitate Greeks” Describes this era that saw the expansion of Greek language and ideas After Alexander’s death empire fell apart and Macedonian generals engaged in a struggle for power 4 Hellenistic Kingdoms emerge: Macedonia Syria Pergamum Egypt In new kingdom Greeks and Macedonians made up ruling class All government business conducted in Greek New Hellenistic kingdoms created new cities Varied in size: military settlements of few hundred to cities with thousands Encouraged spread of Greek colonists to SW Asia Greeks provided new recruits for army, civilian administrators and workers Architects, engineers, dramatists and actors were all in demand in new Greek city Period of cultural accomplishments- esp science and philosophy Alexandria home to all types of scholars: poets, writers, philosophers, scientists Library in Alexandria became largest in ancient times 500,000+ scrolls Encouraged study of literature and language Museum that welcomed scholarly research Founding of new cities and rebuilding of old presented new opportunities for Greek architects and sculptors Kings willing to spend money to beautify cities within state Patrons of sculptors- thousands of statues created Hellenistic sculptors moved away from idealism of earlier classicism to more emotional & realistic art Especially evident in numerous statues of old women and children Time period also produced great quantities of literature Hellenistic Age witnessed advances in sciences: astronomy and mathematics Aristarchus: astronomer who developed theory that sun is at center of universe and Earth rotates around Eratosthenes: astronomer who determined Earth was round and calculated circumference Euclid: wrote ‘Elements’- textbook about plane geometry Archimedes: worked on geometry of spheres and cylinders and established value of pi Possibly invented machine used to pump water out of mines “Eureka” Epicurus: founder of Epicureanism- believed human beings free to follow own self interest and make happiness their goal Pursuit of pleasure not in physical sense but freedom from emotional turmoil and worry Life complete when centered on the ideal of friendship Stoicism: most popular philosophy of Hellenistic world Created by teacher name Zeno- learned that material possessions were not necessary to be happy after losing all his on a sea voyage Stoics wanted to find happiness by living in harmony with will of God Public service regarded as noble