Download Chapter 10: Mediterranean Society: The Greek Phase Themes

Chapter 10:
Mediterranean Society: The Greek Phase
Themes
There will be a strong temptation to spend a lot of time with the details of Greek
civilization, since it becomes part of the foundation of European societies, and
ultimately American societies. This temptation will probably be augmented by the
fact that most teachers have training in western civilization and therefore this is
familiar territory! In AP world history, however, the Greeks are no more or less
important that the Qin, the Han, and the Achaemenids, and should receive about the
same time allotment and attention to thematic issues rather than the smaller details.
Furthermore, the very next chapter deals with Roman history, so the students will
have two chapters on this small region of the world in the classical era, even if you do
zip through the Greeks at what seems to be an unseemly pace.
The political themes of this chapter are the influence of Minoan and
Mycenaean and even Persian societies on the later Greeks; the diversity of ways in
which the Greeks ruled themselves in their city-states (from kingdoms to limited
democracies); and the powerful regional influence the Greek/Hellenistic empire had
on the Mediterranean basin. This continuing influence developed from its
international maritime trading network; the establishment of colonies for both trade
and the reduction of population pressure on the Balkan Peninsula; and the conquests
of Alexander the Great.
The themes that relate to a long-term influence of social structures include the
existence of slaves; a patriarchal gender structure that pervaded all aspects of Greek
society; and discussions about the equality and rights of citizens in a society (even
though those citizens were only male). Culturally, the Greek society left an enduring
legacy with their philosophical, scientific, and literary writings that spread south and
eastward with the subsequent Hellenistic empires and west and northward with the
Roman empire.
Chapter 10 Reading Questions:
1. Compare and contrast the Minoan and the Mycenaean societies. The
Minoan society arose of the island of Crete. The inhabitants built a series of
lavish palaces throughout the island, most notably the enormous complex at
Knossos. Palace officials devised a script known as Linear A, in which written
symbols stood for syllables. Later in time, Minoan society experienced a series
of natural disasters ultimately resulting in the destruction of the cities. The
cities were rebuilt, but the wealth attracted foreign invaders who soon
conquered Minoan society. The Mycenaean people filtered over the Balkans
into the Greek peninsula. They traded with Minoan merchants, and they
adapted Linear A to their language thus creating Linear B. They built massive
stone fortresses throughout the southern part of the Greek peninsula known as
Peloponnesus. The Mycenaean people expanded influence and largely
overpowered Minoan people. They then engaged in conflict with Troy resulting
in the death of Mycenaean society.
2. What was Greece like during the "Dark Ages," from about 1200 to 800
B.C.E.? The Dark Age was the time when the Mycenaean people were fighting
in the Trojan War. Chaos reigned throughout the eastern Mediterranean region.
Invasions and civil disturbances made it impossible to maintain stable
governments or even productive agricultural societies. Many inhabitants of the
Greek peninsula fled to the islands of the Aegean Sea, Anatolia, or Cyprus. The
society was riven with conflict, and there were numerous episodes of
aggression, treachery, and violence alongside heroic bravery and courage.
3. What is a polis? How did having the polis as the central political
institution of classical Greece shape the history of Greece during this
period? A polis is another term for a city-state. The term polis originally
referred to a citadel or fortified site that offered refugee during times of war or
emergencies. These sites attracted many people, and they gradually became
lively commercial centers. They took on an increasingly urban character, and
they levied taxes on their hinterlands. They soon became city-states that
functioned as the principal centers of Greek society. The poleis helped to
illustrate the variety of political styles in classical Greece.
4. Compare and contrast Sparta and Athens. Sparta was in a fertile region of
the Peloponnesus. As their population and economy expanded, so did their
control over the Peloponnesus. During the expansion, neighboring people
became helots, or slaves, whose sole reason for existence was to ensure Sparta
had food. By the sixth century the helots outnumbered the citizens by a scale of
10:1, so to reduce the threat of rebellion the citizens maintained a powerful and
disciplined military. In theory, Spartan citizens were equal in status, but
distinction arose due to prowess, discipline, and military talent. At age seven, all
Spartan boys went to live in military barracks where they underwent intense
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training. They could not come back home to their wives until age 30. By the
fourth century there was a wealthy class of aristocratic families. In Athens,
population growth and economic development also caused political and social
strain, but rather than using military means, the Athenians relieved tensions by
establishing a government based on democratic principles. During the seventh
century, an increasing volume of maritime trade brought wealth to the
aristocrats forcing many people into slavery. An aristocrat named Solon served
as a mediator between aristocrats and less privileged classes and devised a
solution to class conflict in Attica, the region around Athens.
What was the significance to the history of the Mediterranean region of
Greek colonization? Greek colonization sponsored more communication,
interaction, and exchange than ever before in the Mediterranean lands and
peoples. Colonization also spread Greek language and cultural traditions, and it
quickened the tempo of social life.
How did the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars influence the
development of the Greek city-states? To discourage further Persian actions
in Greece, the Greek poleis formed an alliance known as the Delian League.
Athens became the leader of the alliance and supplied the military force. The
other poleis contributed financially. The lack of Persian presence created
tension among the poleis which started the Peloponnesian War. The poleis split
into two sides led by Sparta and Athens. Sparta was victorious, but conflicts
soon broke out again.
How do you explain Alexander of Macedon’s success as a conqueror in
such a short period of time? He inherited a well-equipped, well-disciplined,
highly spirited veteran force from his father. His army had around thirty-seven
thousand men.
What was the legacy of the empire of Alexander? Alexander established
cities throughout the lands he conquered and toyed with some intriguing ideas
about governing his empire, notably a scheme to marry his officers to Persian
women and create a new ruling class of Greek, Macedonian, and Persian
ancestry, but his early death prevented him from putting this policy into action.
He relied on established institutions such as the Persian satrapies to administer
the lands he conquered.
Trace the development of Greek philosophical thought from Socrates
through the Hellenistic philosophers. Socrates became disenchanted with
efforts to understand the natural world, which he regarded as less important
than human affairs. Socrates did not write down his thought, nor did he
expound his views assertively. He suggested that human beings could lead
honest lives, and honor was far more important than wealth, fame, or other
superficial attributes. Socrates’ most zealous disciple was Plato. Plato elaborated
a systematic philosophy of great subtlety. He presented his thoughts in a series
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of dialogues, The Republic, and formulated his thought into a systematic vision
of the world and human society. The cornerstone of Plato’s thought was his
theory of Forms or Ideas. Aristotle was originally a disciple of Plato, but he
came to distrust the theory of Forms and Ideas, which he considered artificial
intellectual constructs unnecessary for understanding the world. He believed
philosophers could rely on their senses to provide accurate information about
the world. He was considered “the master of those who know.” The most
popular Hellenistic philosophers were the Epicureans (believed in pleasure),
Skeptics (believed in disengagement), and the Stoics (believed all humans were
the members of one universal family).
10. How did Greek religion and drama influence each other? Greek myths
sought to explain the world and the forces that shape it. They also served as
foundations for religious cults that contributed to a powerful sense of
community in classical Greece. The Dionysian cult saw the presentation of
plays that honored the traditions of the polis.
Historical Terms and Concepts to Know
Homer
The Iliad and The Odyssey
Mycenaeans
Trojan War
King Minos and Minoans
Minoan Linear A and B
polis
helot
Pericles
Alexander the Great
Antigonius
Ptolemy
Seleucus
Olympic Games
Socrates
Aristotle
Plato
tyrant
Spartan
Solon
Persian Wars
Darius, Xerxes
Peloponnesian War
Alexander of Macedon
Hellenistic empires
Sappho
Stoics