Greek Civilization

Greece

In 499 B.C.. The Greek civilization fell under attack by the Persians Persians controlled a vast empire

City-states unite to try and fight off the Persians Athens was at the center of the attack

Athenians hold off Persians, and eventually win the war (300)

Greece

After the Persian Wars, Greek civilization thrives

Pericles develops a direct democracy Citizens have direct say in governmental affairs

Council of 500 Courts and juries set up Ostracism

• Could vote out a member of society

Greece

Peloponnesian War Other City-states resent the power of Athens Led by Sparta, Athens is attacked

Peloponnesian League After a 27 year War, Sparta eventually wins Athens remains the cultural center of Greece

Greece

Greek Philosophers change the way we think Questioned many accepted ideas

Socrates Socratic Method- questioned what was known

Sought truth and self knowledge Put on trial for corrupting the youth of Athens

Sentenced to death

Greece

Plato Student of Socrates Questioned Democracy The Republic- Plato’s ideal state

Three classes• Workers produce• Soldiers defend• Philosophers rule

Greece

Aristotle Student of Plato Studied all forms of government

Favored rule by a strong and virtuous ruler Questioned how people should live

Reason should be the guiding force for learning

Greece

Architecture Tried to portray earth’s ideal form for object Showed perfect balance between harmony and

the order of the universe Parthenon

Art Lifelike and idealistic

Showed human beings in their most perfect form Pottery shows daily life

Greece

Literature Plays were formed out of the religious festivals

Dramas were based on tales of myths and legends Discussed moral and social issues

Tragedies showed human suffering and usually ended in disaster

Comedies mocked people or customsHerodotus

Wrote down the events that happened