Ancient Greece

Ancient GreeceGeographyPart of Balkan peninsula, extends into Mediterranean Sea

Mountains and ValleysValleys and islands were settled and farmedCreated isolated city-statesVery independent- many wars

The SeasSea was a vital link to outside worldMany safe harborsGreeks were skilled sailors

Cultural DiffusionGreek ships carried: olive oil, wine, marbleReturned with: grains, metal, ideasMany colonies around Mediterranean

Greek City-States polis

2 levels High city (on hilltop) acropolisBelow, walled main city

GovernmentMonarchy- ruled by king/ queenAristocracy- rules by landholding noblesOligarchy- small elite group usually business class

SpartaMilitary virtue and strong discipline

Sparta- Government- brutal system of strict control2 kings, council of elders, assembly of citizens 5 ephors- ran day-to-day affairs, real power

Spartan menHealthy soldiers Age 7- begin harsh trainingAge 20- can marry, still live in barracksAge 30- citizen, part of assembly

Spartan women Produce healthy sons for armyHad to exercise and strength trainCould run family estate, inherit property

Sparta and its neighborsLooked down on other Greeks, trade, wealth, art, travel

AthensDemocracy- government by the people

Athens government SolonWise and trusted leader more power to citizens, economic reformsCleisthenesIncrease role of citizen council of 500, legislature (law making body)All male citizens over 30 could participate

Athenian womenNo part of public lifeManaged household, spun cloth, cared for children, prepared foodPoor women worked outside the home

Athenian educationBoys went to school, if they could afford itRead, write, music, poetry, public speaking, military training

Persian WarsIonian city-states self governing under Persian empireAthens help Ionia rebel against PersiaPersian emperor Darius I - punish Athens for helping IoniaAthens victory

Persian war continued 480 B.C. Xerxes (son of Darius) sent larger force to GreeceGreece united- Athens, Sparta, and other city-states Themistocles- built lots of shipsGreece beat Persians on sea and then land

Delian LeagueAlliance of Greek city-statesAthens most powerfulAthens used money from league to rebuild their city

Age of PericlesGolden age for AthensRuler PericlesGood economy, more democratic governmentDirect democracy- citizens take part in affairs

Age of Pericles economy Hired best architects and sculptors to rebuild Athens

Peloponnesian WarPeloponnesian League set up to counter Delian LeagueSparta (oligarchy)vs Athens (democracy)Fight for 27 yearsAthens overcrowded plague kills 1/3 of populationSparta and Persia capture AthensAthens power fades, but remains cultural capital