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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
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