THE RISE OFGREEK

CIVILIZATION

Chapter 2

Athena: Athens’ Patron Goddess

Goddess of wisdom, war (strategy), arts and crafts

Legend = olive tree

Monuments, statues in her honor

The Parthenon: Athena’s Temple

Ruins of Athena’s Temple on the Acropolis

Athenians built a huge statue of Athena inside the Parthenon

Athens’ Humble Beginning

A Slow Start Slow to come into

prominence

Less advanced than other poleis

No major trade routes, no land shortage

○ Growing population ok

Less political pressure from outsiders

This is an artist’s interpretation of what the ancient city of Athens might have looked like.

Athens’ Earliest Form of Government

Favoring the Nobles

Ruled by aristocrats

Got most, best land

Dominated religious and political life

Clothes Make the Man?For the ancient Greeks, clothing was less about style and more about status.

You only had to see a person’s clothing to determine his station in life.

Look closely at this picture. Can you tell who is at the top of the social ladder, and who is at the bottom?

The Chiton

Many wealthy Greek women wore a linen chiton, like the ones you see here. This garment was made from a very long and very wide, rectangular piece of fabric

that was sewn up at the sides, and then pinned or sewn at the shoulders. Women often wore a belt around the waist.

Children’s ClothingGreek babies often wore nothing at all, but sometimes they wore cloth diapers. If it was cold, they would be wrapped in a warm blanket.

Many children wore cloth wrapped around their middles, like shorts.

As they grew older, aristocratic children would begin wearing robes like their fathers wore.

Athens’ Ruling Council

The Areopagus

The Romans called this site “Mars Hill” because it was

dedicated to the god of war.

No written laws at first

Rules based on tradition + aristocratic preference

Athens governed by areopagus

Council of nobles

Term comes from hill where nobles met

Archons Council elected nine archons every year

Magistrates = judges

Served for one year, then joined Areopagus

Served on Areopagus for life

○ Archonship = stepping stone to position on Areopagus

Quarreling and Change

Athenian nobles argued over land, food

Cylon tried to take control but failed.

Draco emerged as the leader.

Draco’s Rule

Draco’s laws were so severe that people today refer to

harsh laws as “Draconian law.”

Authority to codify, publish laws (first time)

Harsh laws; “written in blood”

Result = people angry at nobles

Thought Draco was abusing his power

Crisis: Food Shortages

Poor soil conditions

No crop rotation

Expensive to plant crops

Debt and Poverty Farmers in debt

Promised portion of crops to lender

Some pledged wives, children, themselves for loans

Result: Many Athenians poor, in debt, enslaved

○ Some sold abroad

Solon: The First Reformer

Elected as the only archon that year

Given new authority

Create laws

Amend the constitution

Enacted reforms that helped Athenian citizens

Solon’s Economic Reforms

Cancelled debts

Forbad loans that could result in slavery

Brought many enslaved Athenians back

Solon’s reforms = “Shaking off of Burdens”

Benefits of Economic Reforms

This ancient vase shows us how Greek farmers harvested olives.

Can you tell what they are doing?

Forbad export of wheat

Wheat for Attica; not dependent on foreigners

Encouraged export of olive oil, wine = cash

Changed standards of weights and measures

Conformed with other, affluent poleis; encouraged trade

The Importance of Olives

Olive oil was used every day, for many things:

Eating

○ A typical meal might include bread, fish, wine, and olives.

Cooking Lamps Bathing

Olive Oil and Its Many Uses

Here is an example of a Greek lamp that would have used olive oil.

The Greeks would rub olive oil on their bodies, then scrape it off, taking dirt with it.

That is what this athlete is doing in this picture, which was found on an ancient Greek vase.

Standard Weights and Measures

Solon changed Athenian standards of weights and measures so that they matched the weights and measures

that other leading poleis were using.

Solon’s Political Reforms Changed the Constitution

Earlier citizenship = adult males with citizen fathers

Citizenship now included:

○ Foreign artisans, immigrant tradesmen, merchants 

Added Court of Appeal; weakened nobles’ power

Four Classes of Society

1st, 2nd groups (highest) = could hold archonship

3rd group = could serve as hoplites

Possible election to council of 400 citizens

4th group = thetes (land owners, not nobles)

Vote for archons, council members, council business

Pisistratus: Athens’ First Tyrant

Pisistratus ruling

tyrant = ruler who comes to power in unorthodox or unconstitutional way

Nobleman

Tried to overthrow government; failed twice

Came back with mercenary soldiers; succeeded

His Public Works Programs Encouraged religious

piety

Built temples and religious centers

Supported poets, artists

Brought attention to Athens through festivals

His Political Policies Increased power of

central government

Power taken away from nobles

Circuit judges heard cases in country

Weakened power of local nobles

Making the People Happy Honored Solon’s constitution

Assemblies, councils filled with Pisistratus’ supporters

People generally happy with his rule

Hippias: The Next Tyrant Son of Pisistratus

Brother murdered; became suspicious, harsh

Exiled noble clan, Alcmaeonids

They asked Sparta for help

Spartan Intervention Sparta’s king = Cleomenes I

Attacked Athens

Deposed Hippias

Ended the tyranny

Isagoras: Pro Sparta Friend of Spartan king,

Cleomenes I

Wanted to rule Athens

Revoked citizenship for Solon’s new groups

Opposed Alcmaeonids

One Alcmaeonid challenged Isagoras for control

Clisthenes’ Victory Favored Alcmaeonids

Initially lost

Asked the people for their support

Never done before Won with the people’s help

Struggle for Control The people wanted

Clisthenes to rule

Isagoras asked Sparta to expel Clisthenes

Sparta said ok, but people revolted

Drove out Spartans – and Isagoras!

Clisthenes: new leader

Clisthenes: Father of Democracy

Restored citizenship; added new citizens

Deme became basic unit of civic life

deme = small community within city, political unit

Clisthenes’ Other Reforms

Clisthenes encouraged open debate.

Any Athenian could suggest legislation, offer amendments, or argue law.

Established council of 500

Council’s role:

Prepare legislation for discussion in Assembly

Financial duties

Receive foreign dignitaries