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Ancient Greece What can the geography of Greece tell us about this civilization? Prelude: Minoan Civilization 3000 – 1100 BC This civilization was developing on the island of Crete while Egypt and Mesopotamia were flourishing This civilization was named after legendary King Minos, whose father was said to be Zeus Minoan Culture Knossos-Crete – Cretans living in cities, trading and writing by 2000 BC 1930 B.C.-First palace built Government Economy A “bureaucratic monarchy” Art Agriculture-olive and wine Long distance trade, ships; copper, ivory, gold, amber – Throughout Asia Minor, Egypt and Mediterranean – Minoan artifacts, art and peoples found in Egypt Two-stories high, wall and floor decorations, artistic designs and paintings, dances and religious ceremonies Linear A and B Writing of Minoans – Linear A – A script from 1800 BCE untranslated language of Minoans – Linear B – Early Greek employed by Myceneans after about 1400 BC (after conquered Minoans). Not used for political, social, and philosophical aspects of life; only commercial transactions. The Palace at Knossos Engineering of the Palace was quite advanced for its time – walls were resistant to moderate earthquakes and were 2-3 stories in height. The palace (and most Minoan homes) had sophisticated internal plumbing and upper floor lavatories (with toilets whose waste was channeled out of the house and into the city’s drainage system). Sophisticated Palace Architecture Below ground storage of grains, oils, and wines Beautiful friezes and frescoes No walls protecting Minos palace It seems the Minoans were relatively peaceful – and able to focus their energies on trade. Dolphins Dolphin frescoes illustrate the importance of the sea and sea life for the Minoans. How did the Minoans prosper despite having few natural resources? TRADE!!! Four Major Ports 1. 2. 3. 4. Greece (Attica) Sardina Syria Aegean islands Imports: Gold Copper Precious Stones Exports: Wine Olive Oils Cultural Beliefs & Influences Crete is traditionally the place where Zeus was born Minoans worshipped Zeus, and in their culture, he eventually died Later, Greeks were incensed that Minoans believed that Zeus died. Though Greece eventually dominated the area, Minoan beliefs largely influenced Greek thinking, language, social organization and economic pursuits Decline of Civilization Minoan trade dominated eastern Mediterranean until about 1380 BC Something happened, maybe a volcanic eruption or other natural disaster Culture was further weakened by Mycenaean attacks and influences between 1500 and 1100 BC Beginnings: Mycenaean Civilization 1900—1100 BC Mycenaeans The civilization named by archeologists after the fortress city, Mycenae, in the lower rugged region of the Greek peninsula, Peloponnesus Fortified citadels and very warlike. Mycenaeans were war-like and may have come from Russia or parts of Mesopotamia. Arrived about 1900 BC and by 1500 ruled entire peninsula Hierarchy: warrior kings warrior nobles artisans merchants peasants slaves Mycenae Data Ruins of Mycenaean palaces reveals an intricate series of tunnels beneath the palace. Palace had massive double walls and narrow escape passages Most well know Mycenaean monument is the massive Lion Gate constructed from four massive hewn stones (ashlars) Bronze lion’s heads now gone, maybe stolen. Design likely to remind citizens who ruled and to intimidate visitors. Mycenaean Data It was Mycenaeans who tried to topple Troy. The long siege weakened the civilization and inspired Homer’s later Iliad and Odyssey It was the Mycenaeans who gave the Greeks many of their ideals and inspired the age of heroes established by Homer Mycenaean Data It was Mycenaeans who tried to topple Troy. The long siege weakened the civilization and inspired Homer’s later Illiad and Odyssey. It was the Mycenaeans who gave the Greeks many of their ideals and inspired the age of heroes established by Homer. Painting, arts 16th century BC – Funerary mask Late Bronze Age Mycenean vase Dark Ages: 1100—800 BC After collapse of Mycenaean civilization, a 300 year period called Dark Ages Life becomes more agrarian Transitional time—changes happening behind the scenes Power shifting from kings to families Bronze gives way to iron Mycenaeans flee to Asia Minor. Early Greeks establish life around Aegean and Mediterranean Seas The Archaic Greek Age: 800—479 BC After the Dark Ages, the Greeks emerged with a common language, heroic stories, myths, religious practices and trading interests. They claimed a common mythical parent, Hellen, who fathered three sons, the ancestors of the three major Greek tribes: Ionians, Aeolians, and Dorians. Polis Developed during the Archaic Period. Ruled by its citizens. Changed the development of governments in Greece. The Greek City States - Polis Developed durnig the Archaic period Measured about three days’ walking distance. Had between 5,000 - 10,000 male citizens. Ruled by its citizens. Athens had 40,000 Citizens made up the minority of the inhabitants. Slaves and foreigners excluded Before 500 B.C. so were men who did not own land. Greek women had no political or legal rights. How was the Greek Identity related to the Polis 1. Center of Greek identity and loyalty 2. No individual identity 3. All citizens were part of an extended community Rights and Responsibilities Vote Hold Public Office Own Property Speak for themselves in court Participate in Government Defend the polis Greek Colonies and Trade 700 B.C. Greek farmers no longer grew enough grain to feed everyone. Each polis sent out people to set up colonies. Close Economic ties to “Mother City” Supplied grain – Wheat and Barley Trade increase throughout Mediterranean Sea Greeks replaced their barter system with a money economy Sparta & Athens: Contrasting Ways Of Life Sparta: The principle symbol of the Dorian civilization Developed an ever vigilant hierarchical society with rigid policies and well trained men, women, and children Harsh laws were passed to ensure stability Sparta contributed little to the artistic enrichment of Greece. Athens: In contrast it reached far greater achievements in art, intellect, and literature. Athens was a much more open society Through aristocrat, Solon, lower class men were given the right to participate in government, and by 508 BC nearly full democracy established Interesting Differences Sparta needed healthy male warriors, so childbearing women were given more freedoms Spartan woman Athenian women Choral singing No Dancing No Nude athletics w/men No Athenian women pursued respectability as an ideal. Democracy in Athens Hierarchy: adult males women/children non-citizens: foreigners, slaves Average Citizen Not wealthy a member of the Assembly could vote (majority wins) Government - The Council of Athens Each year 500 names drawn to serve carry out day to day business Decide what will be discussed at the next assembly Write laws for the assembly to vote on Athenian Generals Ten chosen every year One of them is chosen commander in chief(Pericles) Assembly elects them Generals obey the Assembly Athenian Court Juries to try the case (201 men) Paid juries duty of citizen no full time judges or lawyers majority vote Some convictions triggered an automatic penalty, but where this was not the case the two litigants each proposed a penalty for the convicted defendant and the jury chose between them in a further vote. No appeal was possible. The Acropolis The Oracle at Delphi What led to the decline of the Athenian aristocracy? Commoners began to play a greater part in commerce and defending Athens. These people started to demand a greater voice in government. Greek Philosophy The Foundation for Western Thought Socrates In his use of critical reasoning, by his unwavering commitment to truth, and through the vivid example of his own life, fifth-century Athenian Socrates set the standard for all subsequent Western philosophy. Socrates – Cont. Lounged around Marketplace Questioning fellow citizens About beliefs and ideas What we know comes from the writings of Plato. Trial At 70 he was on trial for corrupting the city’s youth and failing to respect the Gods. Found guilt and sentenced to death – He drank Hemlock and died Socratic Method A questioning method to dig deeper into the meaning of one’s sayings. Teaching by asking instead of telling. When Socrates questions Euthyphro to define what actions are pious. His answer “What is pleasing to the gods is pious.” “Have we not said, Euthyphro, that there are quarrels and disagreements and hatreds among the Gods?” “We have…” Then you say that some of the gods think one thing just, the other another; and that what some of them hold to be honorable or good, others hold to be dishonorable or evil; . . . And the same thing will be displeasing and pleasing to them?” “Apparently” “Then, according to your account, the same thing will be pious and impious” Plato Student of Socrates – His death shocked him so much that he left Athens for 10 years. Plato may have traveled in Italy, Sicily, Egypt, and Cyrene,Libya. Upon his return he set up The Academy – It would last for 900 years Plato Emphasized the importance of reason. Through rational thought, he argued, people could discover unchanging ethical values, recognize perfect beauty, and learn how to organize and ideal society. The Republic Describes his ideal society. The state should regulate every aspect of its citizens’ lives in order to provide for their best interest. Divided society into three groups. Working class, soldiers, elite leaders Women could rank among the ruling elite Aristotle Plato’s student. Govt. Looked at all kinds of Government and saw good and bad in all of them. How people ought to live He favored rule by a single strong and virtuous leader The golden mean – a moderate course between extremes Education Set up a school, Lyceum, study of all branches of education. He left writing on politics, ethics, logic, biology, literature, physics, and many more subjects. When Universities are founded in Europe some 1500 years later, their courses are largely based on Aristotle’s works. What is Character? Aristotle’s View Virtuous Continent Struggles against his desires to be able to do the right thing. Incontinent Makes the right decision and action Is able to reach the right decision but would suffer from weakness of will to do it. Vicious There is not struggle against one’s desires and there is no weakness of will. – The decision is morally wrong. Myths and Superstitions Greek Mythology The basis of ancient Greek society and government Polytheistic Gods had human characteristics Greek Myths The religious beliefs of Classical Greece can be interpreted in many different ways. Nobody can be sure how or why people believe a certain story about their gods. Different people probably have different reasons for believing a story. Or the same person may believe a story for several different reasons. Not everyone believes all the stories: different people may tell different stories. And people may tell one story in one situation, and a different story in a different situation, whatever seems to fit. To help you relate one story to another, the next slide shows some of the ways that the Greeks thought their gods were related. Greek gods family tree = means they are married, or at least they have children together Now read some of the myths/stories that people told in Ancient Greece Think of some of the reasons why they might have told these stories and not the other ones. The Olympian Jupiter statue composed of ivory and gold The Minerva of the Parthenon The statue stood in the Parthenon, or temple of Minerva (Athena) at Athens. The goddess was represented standing. In one hand she held a spear, in the other a statue of Victory (Nike). Her helmet, highly decorated, was surmounted by a Sphinx. The statue was forty feet in height, and, like the Jupiter, composed of ivory and gold A vase of Ares, the god of War Hermes the messenger of the gods Dionysus the god of wine Persephone, and the fateful pomegranate