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ANCIENT GREECE NOTES
The Minoans: 2500 BC
• Lived on Crete
• Flourished by sea trade
• Had braided hair, jewelry, and colorful murals
• The myth of the Minotaur came from here
Mycenaens 2000 BC
• Kingdoms built on hilltops and included royal fortresses
• Traded w/ Minoans, adapted their culture
• The Greek speaking Dorian destroyed them around 1100 BC causing a “dark age”
• Ionians reintroduced culture around 750 BC
Economic and social development
• Agriculture (limited arable land)
• Commerce and the spread of Hellenic culture
• Gradual shift from barter to money economy (coins)
Greek Mythology
• Based on polytheistic religion
• Explanations of natural phenomena, human qualities, and life events
Greek gods and goddesses
– Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Aphrodite
• Seen as symbols and images in Western literature, art, monumental architecture,
and politics
Social structure and citizenship in the Greek polis
• Citizens (free adult males) had political rights and the responsibility of civic
participation in gov.
• Women and foreigners had no political rights.
• Slaves had no political rights
Sparta
• Oligarchy: rule by a small group
• Rigid social structure
• Militaristic and aggressive society
Athens
• Stages in evolution of Athenian gov.:
– 1. Monarchy- Kings control the power
– 2. Aristocracy – Rich Nobles provided protection
– 3. Tyranny- Single rulers took control
• Tyrants who worked for reform:
Draco: 621 B.C. Improved law code but was STRICT
– (Death for stealing cabbage)
– origination of the term “Draconian”
Solon: 594 B.C. Forgave debt and freed debtors from slavery
– Raised trade by encouraging cash crops instead of grains
– 4. Democracy- All citizens contribute to the gov.
Importance of Persian Wars (499-449b.c.)
• Persian wars united Athens and Sparta against the Persian Empire.
•
Athenian victories over the Persians at Marathon and Salamis left Greeks in
control of the Aegean Sea.
• Athens preserved its independence and continued innovations in government and
culture.
Importance of Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.)
• Caused in part by competition for control of the Greek world—Athens and the
Delian League v. Sparta and the Peloponnesian League (or Anti-Athens Alliance)
• Resulted in the slowing of cultural advance and the weakening of political power
• Technically Sparta won (but all were losers)