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Ancient Greece What are the Greek contributions to Western & World Civilization? Greek Contributions • • • • Democracy Architecture Sculpture History – Herodotus is “father of history”—used anecdotes, legends, odd information – Thucydides--avoid bias; focus on human, not divine, causes • Philosophy • Drama • Poetry • Science – Scientific method—direct study & observation of nature – Aristarchus—earth rotates on its axis & rotates around the sun – Archimedes—applied principles of physics to make practical inventions – Eratosthenes—showed earth was round & accurately calculated its circumference Herodotus Thucydides Aristarchus Archimedes • Mathematics (Euclid, Pythagoras) • Medicine (Hippocrates) • Athletics (the Olympic Games) Euclid Pythagoras Early People of the Aegean Geography’s influence • • • • Rugged, hilly peninsula in southeastern Europe (isolation leading to city-state development) Limited fertile land; poor, sandy soil— grapes & olives as main crops (trade & commerce & colonization) Easy access to the sea—numerous good bays & harbors (trade & commerce) Main products: olive oil, wine, marble Minoan civilization (peak about 1750-1500 B.C.) • Based on island of Crete • Named for legendary King Minos • Established a trading empire which formed the basis for its success Minoan civilization (peak about 1750-1500 B.C.) Mycenaean civilization (peak between 14001200 B. C.) • Successful sea-traders • Rivalry with Troy at Hellespont—“Trojan War” (supposedly caused by the kidnapping of Helen) Mycenaean Civilization The Trojan War Brad Pitt as Achilles The Age of Homer (c. 750 B.C.) • Provided an oral record which gives insight into life during this period (values of courage, honor, eloquence) • Iliad—Trojan War & Achilles • Odyssey—struggle of Odysseus The Age of Homer (c. 750 B.C.) The Age of Homer (c. 750 B.C.) The Age of Homer (c. 750 B.C.) Forces Unifying the “Greek World” • • • • • • Same language, dialects Same gods Same athletic games Same legends Perceived ethnic superiority Fear of a common enemy (Persia) Forces Unifying the “Greek World” • Same gods Forces Unifying the “Greek World” • Same athletic games Forces Unifying the “Greek World” • Same legends Forces Unifying the “Greek World” • Perceived ethnic superiority Forces Unifying the “Greek World” • Fear of a common enemy (Persia) The Rise of Greek CityStates—The Hellenic World Vocabulary • • • • • Polis—the Greek city-state including the city & surrounding hinterland; typical population of 5-10 thousand who were closely knit Pride in home city Jealous guarding of independence Rarely cooperated with other city-states Acropolis—high point/hilltop in the city; site of the Greek temple Vocabulary • • • • Monarchy—government in which king/queen exercises central power Aristocracy—rule by the landholding elite Oligarchy—government in which power lies in hands of a small, powerful elite (usually a business class) Democracy—government by the people (excluding women, foreigners & slaves [25% of the Athenian population]) Sparta on the Pelopennesus • • • • • • • • Spartans take over Messenians, transform them into non-citizens (“helots”) or state property Transformation into a military state only strong, healthy babies allowed to survive males enter military school at age 7 at age 20, they become field soldiers at age 30, they can assume government posts for those who survive, retirement at age 60 Brutal existence, hard exercise, coarse diet, rigid discipline Sparta on the Pelopennesus Athens and Greek Greatness Solon—Athenean Chief Magistrate Athens Reforms toward Age of Democracy • • • • • • Solon—chief magistrate (594 B.C.) Cancelled farmers’ debts Outlawed debt slavery (to bring an end to turmoil in Athens) Enlarged Council to 400 members Citizenship opened to non-Athenian craftsmen Encouraged trade, e.g., export of wine & olive oil Pisustratus Athens Reforms toward Age of Democracy • Pisistratus (560 B.C.) – banished some nobles & gave their lands to the poor – gave loans to some farmers – gave poorer citizens a greater voice in government – encouraged trade & the arts • Cleisthenes (508 B. C.) – introduced practice of ostracism – enacted political re-districting – increased Council to 500 members Cleisthenes Pericles & the Golden Age of Athens Pericles & the Golden Age of Athens: Key Contributions • • • • • • Greek democracy (model for the Western world) Public service—an honorable & necessary part of a citizen’s life Citizens free to live lives, come & go, speak minds openly Awareness of beauty Public debate before state action Athens turned into the cultural center of Greece Victory & Defeat in the Greek World: East Meets West in the Persian Wars • • • • • • 480 B.C.—Xerxes 1)Thermopylae—valiant Spartan defense of a mountain pass 2)Fall of Athens 3)Salamis—naval battle & final Persian defeat (excluding Plataea) Delian League Created to defend against further Persian intrusions; actually used to construct an Athenian Empire Victory & Defeat in the Greek World: East Meets West in the Persian Wars Victory & Defeat in the Greek World: East Meets West in the Persian Wars • • • • Expanding Persian Empire collides with Greek colonies along western rim of modern-day Turkey (Ionia) Aid sent to Ionia from Athens (which prompted Persian war on Greece) Punitive Persian expedition of Darius I 490B. C.—Battle of Marathon (2-to-1 odds against the Greeks) destroys myth of Persian invincibility Victory & Defeat in the Greek World: East Meets West in the Persian Wars Victory & Defeat in the Greek World: East Meets West in the Persian Wars Victory & Defeat in the Greek World: East Meets West in the Persian Wars Victory & Defeat in the Greek World: East Meets West in the Persian Wars The Spartans’ defense at Thermopylae Pass—480 B. C. The Pelopennesian Wars (431404 B. C.--27 years) The Pelopennesian Wars (431404 B. C.--27 years) • Greek world spits into rival camps: Athens vs. Pelopennesian League • Athens falls in 404 B. C. • Ended age of Athenian greatness; Greeks left weak & divided— corruption & self-interest replace ideals like service to the city-state The Glory that Was Greece—the Performing Arts The Glory that Was Greece—the Vocabulary • • • Rhetoric—the art of skillful speaking Tragedy—plays telling of human suffering & usually ending in disaster (Aschylus [father of the tragedy; cycle of murder, revenge, retribution], Sophocles [most important tragedian; individual motivation & human nature], Euripides [human life patters; the gods are ridiculous]) Comedy—humorous plays that mocked or criticized society (Aristophanes) The Glory that Was Greece—the Performing Arts The “Big Three” • • • • • • Socrates—encouraged the asking of questions and carefully analyzing answers in order to arrive at the truth or agreement Plato (focused on abstract ideas) Founder of the Academy Author of The Republic—people do work for which they are best suited (i.e., workers, soldiers, philosopher-kings) Aristotle (focused on practical application) happiness through moderation in all things, not extremes The “Big Three” • Socrates • Plato • Aristotle The “Big Three” • • Politics—there is no ideal system Stoicism—founded by Zeno – • True happiness attained by finding one’s proper place in nature & accepting it; avoid desires and calmly accept what life brings Epicurianism – Live a life free of extremes; lessen pain & increase pleasure (vs. “eat, drink, & be merry”) The “Big Three” • • Zeno Epicurus Alexander & the Hellenistic Age: The Rise of Macedon Father & Son Alexander & the Hellenistic Age: The Rise of Macedon • King Philip—ambitious, ruthless & effective – United Macedon – Brought Greek city-states under his rule (formed alliances with some states & overthrew others) • Philip assassinated in 336 B. C. Alexander & the Hellenistic Age: The Rise of Macedon Alexander the Great • Trained to lead by Aristotle—restless, confident & reckless • Conquest of Persia under Darius III (he was weak and his satraps were rebellious)—Granicus, Issus, Arbella • Drive to the borders of India followed by mutiny of his troops • Returning home but died of a fever in Babylon Alexander the Great Alexander the Great • Alexander’s program: – Blend Greek & Persian (plus some Indian & Egyptian influence) cultures—create one world (Alexander’s most durable achievement) – Standard system of money – One language (Greek) – One legal system – Growth of cultural exchange & trade across the Hellenistic world • Death of Alexander in 331 B.C. The Hellenistic Age • Hellenism vs. Hellenistic • Division of Alexander’s empire into several parts— eventually the Ptolemies and Selucids dominated