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Download General info about Greece (WP)
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Greek People - General Information * Greek city-states emerge around 750 BCE -polis was built usually on 2 levels -acropolis was the high part -down below were the people, markets, city buildings * introduction of iron weapons changed warfare (about 650 BCE) -cheaper & more effective = better armed soldiers * phalanx formation called for intense training = sense of unity -effective military strategy * polytheistic: large pantheon of gods * view of non-Greeks = negative -word “barbarian” comes from their work barbaroi which was how they thought non-Greek language sounds (bar bar) * they felt they were unique in all the world Spartans and Athenians Athenians Spartans located on Attica located on the Peloponnesus limited democracy-power of people 2 kings + a council of elders (oligarchy) women have no political power/rights women-no political power/rights women educated but only in the “womanly arts” women could own businesses, had some basic education focus: knowledge & athleticism focus: military skill Great Battles of Greece - The Persian Wars Athens had become very successful -when you’re successful, people want your stuff! Persian Empire stretched from Asia Minor to India Around 499 BCE Athens comes to aid of some Greeks living in Asia Minor -this brings out the anger of the Persians for interfering He hears that the Olympic games are going on & uses the opportunity -he’s shocked to find out they only win a wreath of olives if they win, no $ Persian Emperor Darius sends forces to Marathon 490 BCE (sail across Aegean) -even though the Persians have 2X as many men, the Athenians come out in a wild attack w/no archers or horsemen -the Persians are shocked and run back to their ships -Pheidippides is sent back the news that they won -he runs 26.2 miles (length of a marathon) Athenian leader Themistocles knew the Persians would be back -he urged his people to build war ships -they also convince other city-states to join together to fight the enemy Xerxes (son of Darius) 480 BCE brings a much larger force to Greece Spartan forces meet them at a mountain pass at Thermopylae -hold them off as long as they can, til they are overwhelmed Persians march in and burn Athens -but Athenians had all escaped to safety Themistocles sends a slave disguised as a traitor to Darius -he tells him that the Greeks are sailing away in retreat -it’s a trap -Persian ships follow, & are trapped & rammed by Athenian navy at Strait of Salamis -Greeks believe that the gods were on their side-they are chosen