The PERSIA Characteristics

of Ancient Greece

P is for Political

• Life surrounded the polis (city-state)

• Athens- limited democracy– Men had rights; women and slaves had few

• Sparta- oligarchy– Decisions made by Council of Elders

E is for Economic

• Mountains, bad soil -> very little agriculture• Developed process to make wines and olive oil

• Easy access to water (Mediterranean) • Relied heavily on trade

• Hellenistic Age• Alexander’s empire allowed for trade by caravan

R is for Religious

• Mythology -> Polytheistic– Many gods, goddesses, and demigods– Built massive temples and made sacrifices– Blamed gods for disasters, weather, etc– Gods were human-like (emotional)

• Olympics- compete to honor the gods

S is for Social

• Competition between Athens and Sparta• Peloponnesian War (Sparta wins!)

• Athens• Freedom for men• Valued education• Status based on property and sophistication

• Sparta• Men and women more equal• Importance of strength and physical fitness

I is for Intellectual

• Philosophers– Focused on logic and reason

• Socrates – truth and justice• Plato – (Student of Socrates) The Republic [ideal society]• Aristotle (Student of Plato) method for testing (science)

• Science/Invention– Astronomy, lever and pulley systems, medicine

A is for Artistic

• Greek Theatre• Comedy v. Tragedy• No onstage violence, only male actors

• Sculpture & architecture• Used to show/honor battles, mythology, and rulers

• Literature• Homer- Epic poems… The Iliad and Odyssey

• Medicine• Hippocratic Oath