Chapter 5 Classical Greece

Section 1: Early Greece

Section 1: Early Greece

Main Idea

The earliest cultures in Greece, the Minoans and the Mycenaeans, were trading societies, but both disappeared and were replaced by Greek city-states.

Objectives

• What were Minoan and Mycenaean cultures like?

• What were the common characteristics of Greek city-states?

• What role did stories of gods and heroes play in Greek culture?

I. Minoans and Mycenaeans

The Minotaur

I. Minoans and Mycenaeans

Much early Greek history unknown; two distinct cultures developed

c. 3000 BC - Minoans on Crete built first Greek civilization; lasted nearly 2,000 years

A. The Minoans of Crete

A. The MinoansNamed after King Minos; palace was in Knossos

The throne of King Minos, earliest surviving throne of the western world Artist's rendition of the palace at

Knossos

A. The Minoans

Minoans - sailors, fishermen, traders; had colonies on Aegean islands

Fresco from the Minoan Culture c. 1700 BC

A. The MinoansSome homes had running water, walls covered with frescoes

Fresco found at the Palace of Knossos, with a representation of the bull-leaping, a kind of contest, probably religious in character, in

which both men and women took part

A. The MinoansKnowledge of them comes from art and artifacts; Their writing, Linear A, is undeciphered

A fisherman from the 16th century BC

Minoan Gold Bee Pendant1800-1700 BC

A. The Minoans1628 BC- volcanic eruptions weakened Minoa 1400 BC - conquered by the Mycenaeans

Ash deposited during the Minoan eruption of Santorini volcano

B. The Mycenaeans

Mycenaeans considered first true Greeks; spoke Greek language

B. The Mycenaeans

Powerful kingdoms dominated by competition and warfare

Mycenaean Warrior Krater12th century BC

B. The Mycenaeans

Built fortresses in Peloponnesus and northern Greece; great traders

The Mycenaean Acropolis Greek Trireme Olympias

B. The MycenaeansMost famous legend was epic of Trojan War: The Iliad by Homer; also wrote The Odyssey

B. The Mycenaeans

By 1100s BC: invasions, war, famine destroyed most cities; a dark age followed

Ruins of the Mycenaean Acropolis

B. The Mycenaeans

Important contribution was a writing system, Linear B

B. The Mycenaeans

Upper left - pre-linear A script from Crete - hieroglyphicUpper right - Linear A (untranslated)Lower - Linear B Script, the Mycenaean language

II. Greek City-States

800s to 700s BC - the independent polis arose in Greece

A. Life in the Polis

The polis was the center of Greek identity; inhabitants were intensely loyal

A. Life in the Polis

Polis built around acropolis, an agora was below; walls protected the polis

Ruins of Ancient Agora Thessaloniki, Greece

Acropolis in Athens

A. Life in the PolisEach polis had own government, laws, money, and patron god

Relief showing Democracy placinga wreath on the head of the Athenian

"Demos" (body of the citizens)

A. Life in the Polis

All Greeks shared language, religion, culture, and social characteristics

Greek Drama

Greek Gods

B. The Might of Sparta

Sparta seized surrounding towns and enslaved residents, who became helots

Helots lived in their master's household but were owned by the state; unlike ordinary slaves, their master could not declare them free. They served as agricultural and domestic slaves, and sometimes military servants as well. Spartans usually allowed agricultural helots to keep excess produce. Helots outnumbered Spartans seven to one

B. The Might of Sparta

Sparta’s highly militarized society demanded strength and toughness

Boys were taught physical, mental toughness by mothers. At age 7, boys left home for military training and schooling. The state-controlled education in Sparta was designed not to instill literacy, but fitness, obedience, and courage. Boys were taught survival skills, encouraged to steal what they needed without getting caught, and, under certain circumstances, to murder Helots. At birth unfit children would be left to die. The weak continued to be weeded out, those who survived would know how to cope with inadequate food and clothing. Soldiers could not engage in trade or business and remained available for military service until age 60.

B. The Might of Sparta

Men trained for war at 18; began military service as hoplites at 20

Chigi Vase, 650.BC. First piece of archaeological evidence showing a

hoplite phalanx formation.

Greek Phalanx

B. The Might of SpartaSpartan girls received physical training, taught devotion to Sparta

In no other Greek City-state did women enjoy the same freedom and privileges of Spartan women. Only in Sparta did girls receive public education; in other city-states most women were completely illiterate. Only in Sparta were girls allowed to engage in sport. Only in Sparta did women possess economic power and influence.

Bronze statuette of girl runner, probably from Sparta.

B. Government in SpartaTwo kings headed government and served as military commanders

Archidamos III of the Eurypontid family

King Leonidas of the Agiad family

III. Gods and Heroes

Greeks created myths about gods, goddesses, and heroes to explain their world

III. Gods and Heroes

12 most important gods lived on Mount Olympus; had great power but far from perfect

The Greek Olympian are Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Hephaestus, Hermes, Hestia, and

Poseidon. They are all related to each other in one way or another and each performed different duties.

III. Gods and Heroes

Sacred locations – Delphi and Olympia

Every four years Greeks assembled at Olympia for Olympic Games where athletes competed against each other to honor the gods

Priestess of Apollo at the oracle of Delphi. Sitting over a fissure in the earth and bathed in rising vapors, would go into a trance from which she could advise and warn.

The Olympian games were so important that many Greeks dated their historical periods from the first games, which were held in 776 BC

III. Gods and Heroes

Heroes killed monsters, founded cities, talked with gods on equal terms

III. Gods and Heroes

Hubris brought many heroes to tragic ends

Odysseus and the Sirens