The Geography and History of Ancient Greece: The Geography and History of Ancient Greece


Three important factors:: Three important factors: 1. The sea. Mediterranean influenced development The Adriatic on west, Aegean on east, Peloponnesian peninsula Many islands and coast of Asia were Greek


2. The mountains: 2. The mountains Separated city-states (polis) from each other -- Encouraged diversity


3. The climate: 3. The climate Climate is “Mediterranean” Arid and hot in summer Cool and rainy in winter Cold and snowy in mountains


Lifestyle affected by geography:: Lifestyle affected by geography: Outdoor lifestyle—marketplace, etc. Clothing simple Dryness made people live in villages for water Farming fairly easy – usually enough food for all Seafaring—fishermen and traders Traveled all over Mediterranean


Lifestyle: Lifestyle Most Greeks were farmers, some craftsmen, fishermen Life hard and short – 35 yrs. Slavery was widely practiced Male-dominated society Women had no political rights


Religion gave rise to culture:: Religion gave rise to culture: Polytheistic – large pantheon of gods – the “Olympians” Gods represented natural forces and human behavior Anthropomorphic – “man-form”


Survey of Greek History:: Survey of Greek History: Importance of archeology First Greek-like civilization was the Minoan – island of Crete Excavated by Sir Arthur Evans, 19th c.


Minoan culture – c. 3000-1450 B. C. E.: Minoan culture – c. 3000-1450 B. C. E. Capital was Cnossos (Knossos) High level of culture Beautiful architecture, etc. From them comes legends of Theseus and the Minotaur


Mycenean Culture- 1600-1200: Mycenean Culture- 1600-1200 Conquered Minoans around 1400, capital was Mycenae People who fought the Trojan Wars (Iliad, Odyssey) Had an aristocractic form of gov’t – many small kingdoms


Mycenae excavated by Heinrich Schliemann– 1870’s: Mycenae excavated by Heinrich Schliemann– 1870’s Also excavated Troy They had a written language Eventually conquered by northern invaders – the Dorians Greece enters the Dark Ages


The Dark Ages—1100-700: The Dark Ages—1100-700 Primitive times—few foreign contacts Established their characteristic culture By 700 alphabet from Phoenicians


Dark Ages: Dark Ages Homeric epics written (Troy falls in 1250 B. C.) --Iliad, Odyssey c. 800-700 B. C. Polis (city-states) are forming First Olympic games held 776 B. C.


Age of Colonization/Expansion—700-500 B. C.: Age of Colonization/Expansion—700-500 B. C. Establishment of colonies all over Mediterraean Pan-hellenic Centers established – Olympia, Delphi, etc. “Hellenes”


Delphi – dedicated to Apollo: Delphi – dedicated to Apollo “The navel of the world” People/polis consulted oracle about important questions


Art flourished in this age: Art flourished in this age Hesiod – Theogony (the birth of the universe and gods); Works and Days 700 B. B. Homer – Iliad and Odyssey— Tales of the Trojan wars The great heroes – Achilles, Odysseus


Two city-states emerged as leaders – Athens and Sparta: Two city-states emerged as leaders – Athens and Sparta Very different Athens a democracy Sparta a military dictatorship (Sparta conquered most of Peloponnesian peninsula in 500’s)


Classical Era– 499-400 : Classical Era– 499-400 Greece reached her pinnacle of culture and power Athens military and cultural leader Flowering of art, architecture, philosophy, science


Persian Wars begin Classical Era: Persian Wars begin Classical Era Series of battles from 490-479 B. C. led by Athens Little Greece conquers mighty Persia under Darius, Xerxes Battles such as Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis are still studied


Classical Age: Classical Age After war Delian League formed – controlled by Athens in extensive empire Purpose was to prevent Persia from returning


Classical Era: Classical Era Often called “Age of Pericles” Supported extensive building in Athens Supported drama productions Athens colonized all over


Classical Era ended by Peloponnesian War-431-404: Classical Era ended by Peloponnesian War-431-404 Other polis alarmed at Athens’ domination Sparta formed coalition Athens eventually defeated War extremely bloody and long


Sparta – Athens’ rival: Sparta – Athens’ rival A military dictatorship Warriors lived to fight, lived apart from families in barracks Sparta controlled surrounding peoples -- serfs Eventually defeated in 371


The Fourth Century—399-300 : The Fourth Century—399-300 Era of political confusion Foreign wars/revolutions Great era for culture, philosophy flourished – era of Plato and Socrates


Socrates, Plato, Aristotle: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle Each made his contributions Socrates Plato’s teacher Plato Aristotle’s teacher Socrates executed by Athens in 399


Rise of power in Macedonia : Rise of power in Macedonia Athens still the leader, but weaker Philip I of Macedonia extends power Athenian leaders warn of danger Battle of Chaeronea ends Greek independence, conquered by Philip and his 18 yr. old son Alexander


Hellenistic Age – 336-30 B. C.: Hellenistic Age – 336-30 B. C. Alexander, the Great (336-323) conquered most of known world, extended Greek civilization Conquered as far as Persia, India


Alexander, the Great: Alexander, the Great Great military leader and ruler Was educated, student of Aristotle Reorganized govt’s of conquered areas, “Hellenized” these areas


After Alexander’s death:: After Alexander’s death: Empire divided among generals Greece never independent again Greece culture continued to spread Rome conquers Greece in 30 B.C.


Hellenistic Culture: Hellenistic Culture Greek art, drama, philosophy, literature, etc. continued to dominate Roman religion similar to Greek Greek culture influenced Christianity


Hellenistic Art: Hellenistic Art More emotional, ornate than “Classical” More humanistic Some great contributions from this era


The End: The End