Ancient Greece The Classical and Hellenistic Periods The

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Ancient Greece The Classical and Hellenistic Periods

Ancient Greece The Classical and Hellenistic Periods

The Golden Age of Athens • Pericles – Began as a wealthy member of

The Golden Age of Athens • Pericles – Began as a wealthy member of society – Considered the greatest demogouge of his time • Demogouge literally means “mouth of the people, ” and refers to someone who is able to influence people with his voice

Pericles • In 460 BCE, Pericles got elected general of the Athenian Army –

Pericles • In 460 BCE, Pericles got elected general of the Athenian Army – Meant to be a one year position – Pericles was re-elected to it repeatedly • Pericles set about expanding Athens Power

Golden Age of Athens • Building: – Walls: Pericles had the Athenians extend the

Golden Age of Athens • Building: – Walls: Pericles had the Athenians extend the walls of the city all the way to the sea, to ensure that it was protected on all sides – The Parthenon: Built on the Acropolis overlooking, a tall hill overlooking the city. Meant to replace the temples destroyed by the Persians • 60 foot high marble building supported by columns • Held a 40 foot high gold and ivory statue of Athena • Built to be perfectly parallel from any angle, meant to express perfection

The Parthenon

The Parthenon

Golden Age of Greece • Democracy: – Pericles expanded the number of citizens by

Golden Age of Greece • Democracy: – Pericles expanded the number of citizens by allowing any who served in the Navy to join • Later allowed anyone who owned land – He created a salary for members of the government, which meant even poor farmers could be on the assembly

Life of Greek Citizens during the Golden Age • Most Athenians sold their goods

Life of Greek Citizens during the Golden Age • Most Athenians sold their goods and worked at the Agora, the central market-place of the city – Used silver coins as currency – Citizens typically worked as farmers, sheep herders, or craftsmen – Most citizens wore tunics of wool from goats or sheep • Only the richest citizens could wear tunics of cotton or linen – The wealthiest wore togas – Made of a large cloth that wrapped around the body

Classical Greek Clothing

Classical Greek Clothing

Ancient Greek Coins

Ancient Greek Coins

Life of Greek Citizens during the Golden Age • If accused of a crime

Life of Greek Citizens during the Golden Age • If accused of a crime citizens would go to the law courts – Both sides would present speeches before a jury of between 200 and 2500 citizens, depending on the crime. – At the end, the jury would vote to punish or free the accused • Punishments could include death by being thrown from the sea cliffs near Athens

An Athenian Lawyer Presents his case

An Athenian Lawyer Presents his case

Women in Greece • Women typically worked at home – Most common job was

Women in Greece • Women typically worked at home – Most common job was spinning of wool into cloth – Women took care of children too young to go to school – People typically married around the age of 15

Cross-Section of Ancient Greek Home

Cross-Section of Ancient Greek Home

Life of Non-Citizens • Metics and slaves – Metics were non-citizens • Treated as

Life of Non-Citizens • Metics and slaves – Metics were non-citizens • Treated as inferior by citizens, were required to register with government and pay taxes • Could still attend plays, festivals and be represented in courts – Slaves • Slaves had no rights at all • Often worked grueling labor on farms • Some educated slaves were kept to teach the children of the rich • Worst job was working in the silver mines that helped make Athens wealthy

Athenian Philosophies • Athens was home to numerous philosophers – Many of these were

Athenian Philosophies • Athens was home to numerous philosophers – Many of these were mathematicians and scientists • Monists: Believed that all of creation came from a single source – Example: Thales of Miles argued all things came from water – Believed that mankind could use the mind to discover the secrets of nature – Ridiculed the ancient Greek gods as silly

Athenian philosophers • Atomism: Believed that everything in the universe was made up of

Athenian philosophers • Atomism: Believed that everything in the universe was made up of tiny invisible particles called elements – Argued that universe was eternal as nothing ever truly went away. Instead its elements simply became new things

Greek Philosophers • The Sophists: Believed that the primary goal of man should be

Greek Philosophers • The Sophists: Believed that the primary goal of man should be the pursuit of wisdom – Believed that the way to achieve better understanding and wisdom was through argument • Called disputation • Sophists taught students how to better argue in order that they may learn wisdom

Greek Philosphers • The Cynics – Believed that the goal of life was to

Greek Philosphers • The Cynics – Believed that the goal of life was to pursue virtue – Argued that men should live simple lives • Rejected riches and wealth and learning – Famously led by Diogenes who led a life of poverty

Socrates • Most famous of the sophists – Taught using Socratic Method, a series

Socrates • Most famous of the sophists – Taught using Socratic Method, a series of questions designed to get a student to think about his values – Taught that the highest virtue was knowledge, encouraged people to question their beliefs

Greek Science • Aristarchus: Discovered that the Earth revolved around the Sun by studying

Greek Science • Aristarchus: Discovered that the Earth revolved around the Sun by studying the movements of planets • Eratosthenes: First to use the term Geography – Calculated the circumference of Earth to within a few hundred miles – Created the first map of the world with longitude and latitude lines – Accurately calculated the distance of the Earth from the Sun

Science • Archimedes: Discovered many of the basic concepts of physics – The fulcrum

Science • Archimedes: Discovered many of the basic concepts of physics – The fulcrum and lever: Use of a lever to increase the power of work done by an individual – Discovered how to use water to measure the volume of an object through displacement

Medicine • Hippocrates: First to argue that diseases were caused naturally, rather than supernaturally

Medicine • Hippocrates: First to argue that diseases were caused naturally, rather than supernaturally – Sought natural cures for diseases, including surgery – Encouraged and taught study of the human body – Famous for his motto, “First, do no harm” • Doctors today still swear this as the Hippocratic Oath

The Peloponnesian War

The Peloponnesian War

The Peloponnesian War • 429 BCE: Sparta declares war on Athens • Feared that

The Peloponnesian War • 429 BCE: Sparta declares war on Athens • Feared that Athens was becoming too powerful – Athens had begun conquering former Persian cities outside of Greece – Sparta gave Athens an ultimatum • A threatening message demanding that a state take action or face war • Said if Athens did not free conquered cities, Sparta would invade

Start of the War • Spartans invade Athens – Unable to attack city, thanks

Start of the War • Spartans invade Athens – Unable to attack city, thanks to walls – Burn surrounding country-side – Pericles calls all citizens inside walls • Plague breaks out within city • 1 in 4 Athenians dies, including Pericles

Peloponnesian War • Athenians rally and push Spartan Army out of the city •

Peloponnesian War • Athenians rally and push Spartan Army out of the city • Athenians weakened from war, begin losing territory overseas • Persians begin supporting Spartans, hoping to see Athens lose

Peloponnesian War • Battle of Aogospotami – Athenian fleet had been at sea for

Peloponnesian War • Battle of Aogospotami – Athenian fleet had been at sea for months • Running low on food and water • Athenians decide to land at port of Aogospotami for supplies, unaware that Spartans had captured it • While Athenien sailors are getting food, Spartan soldiers steal their entire fleet without a fight

End of the War • Both Athens and Sparta nearly bankrupted by War –

End of the War • Both Athens and Sparta nearly bankrupted by War – Without its fleet, Athens is forced to surrender – Sparta faces a helot revolt and forced to pull back • Result: Both Sparta and Athens severely weakened – Persia once again becomes most powerful Empire in the area

End of the Golden Age • During the War, Athenians grow suspicious of anyone

End of the Golden Age • During the War, Athenians grow suspicious of anyone who is anti-democratic, or questions their values • Socrates put on trial for “corrupting the minds of the youth” – Sentenced to death by drinking poison – Taught his students up until the moment he died • Athens becomes weak and isolated

The Hellenistic Period: Rise of Alexander • Hellenistic means Greek-like • A period in

The Hellenistic Period: Rise of Alexander • Hellenistic means Greek-like • A period in which non-Greeks, specifically the Macedonians export Greek culture throughout the known world

Macedonia • Macedonia was a kingdom to the North of Greece – Led by

Macedonia • Macedonia was a kingdom to the North of Greece – Led by King Philip, a great warrior • Established a permanent professional army • Considered to be a military genius • Macedonians perfected the Greek technique of the phalanx

Invasion of Greece • Philip invades and conquers Greece in 338 • Reorganized Greek

Invasion of Greece • Philip invades and conquers Greece in 338 • Reorganized Greek city-states and made them a part of his army • Wished to take on the Persians but died before he could muster his forces • Was murdered by rebels before he could invade – His 20 year old son Alexander puts down rebellion, brings father’s murderers to justice, and begins invasion himself

Conquests of Alexander the Great • Alexander defeated the Persian Army at the Battle

Conquests of Alexander the Great • Alexander defeated the Persian Army at the Battle of Granicus, and conquered all of Asia Minor • Conquered Syria and Palestine and moved into Egypt

Alexander’s Empire upon his death

Alexander’s Empire upon his death

Conquests of Alexander • King Darius of the Persians was betrayed by his own

Conquests of Alexander • King Darius of the Persians was betrayed by his own kin and assassinated. Tried to make a peace treaty with Alexander – Alexander completed the conquest of Persia and had himself declared King of Kings (Shahanshah)

End of Alexander • Alexander attempts to invade India – Encounters troops of the

End of Alexander • Alexander attempts to invade India – Encounters troops of the Indian Rajahs, including forces riding elephants – Fights several harsh battles against Indian forces • At the Ganges River his troops, sick of constant warfare, revolted and demanded to be allowed to go home.

End of Alexander • Alexander returns to Persia to discover that his governors have

End of Alexander • Alexander returns to Persia to discover that his governors have become corrupt in his absence – Executes several of them • Before he can begin conquests again, he grows sick and dies • With no male heir, Alexander’s Empire falls apart only years after his death

The Empire Splits

The Empire Splits

Legacy of Alexander • Alexander spread Greek learning and philosophy wherever he went •

Legacy of Alexander • Alexander spread Greek learning and philosophy wherever he went • Greek writings and teachings spread across the world – Greek ideas would later become the basis of Roman society