Download Ancient Greece

• 11/12 Focus
– Athens is a Greek city state that
emphasized education. They also are known
for starting democracy.
• Do Now
– Identify the type of government found in
Sparta.
– What form of government do we have in the
United States?
Ancient Greece
Location
• Southeast
Greece
• Peninsula of
Attica
•
•
Government
• Athens was the first direct democracy
in history
• Direct Democracy
– rule by the people
– Citizens vote directly on an issue
Government
• laws were
proposed by
the Council of
500
• Laws voted on
by the
citizen’s
assembly
– Made up of
eligible voters
• Adult males
born in Athens
Pnyx (from the Greek word meaning "tightly
packed together") was the meeting place of
the Athenian democratic assembly
(Ekklesia)
Government
• Every adult male born in
Athens became a citizen
and would have a chance
to be a member of the
assembly.
• Expectations of citizens
– Vote in elections
– Serve in office if elected
– Serve on juries
– Serve in military during
war
Education
• High value placed on
education
• The purpose of education
was to produce citizens
trained in the arts, to
prepare citizens for both
peace and war.
• Boys from 6 to 14 went to
schools
• Girls were not educated at
school
– learned to read and
write at home.
Education
• Books were very expensive and rare
– subjects were read out-loud
– Students had to memorize everything.
•
Women
• Athenians believed
women were inferior
to men.
– could not own
property
– had to help in the
fields and were
confined to their
homes.
– were to be under the
protection of a male
guardian at all times.
Social Classes
• Athens was made up
of two classes
– slaves
– citizens
Athenian Achievements
• Focused on the individual rather than
society
– Wanted Athenians to question things and
use philosophy
• Strong Navy
• Trade – wanted to make money and
expand
• Travel-wanted people to experience
other cultures
Closure
• What is Direct Democracy?
• What value did the Athenians place on
education?
• How did Athenians view women?