Glory War and Decline Chapter 7 Lesson 4

Glory, War, and Decline Chapter 7, Lesson 4

► With The Rule of Pericles the end of the Persian War, Athens became a powerful and self-confident citystate. § From 461 B. C. to 429 B. C. , the Athenians, under their new leader Pericles, enjoyed a golden age of prosperity and achievement. § Athens became a cultural and economic center of Greece. § It also began to practice a democratic form of government.

Democracy in Athens ► Athenians took great pride in their democratic system. § They practiced Direct Democracy (all citizens meet to debate and vote on government matters. ) § Representative Democracy (citizens elect a small group of people, which in turn, represents them makes laws, and governs on their behalf ex: The United States of America)

► In Democracy in Athens a direct democracy worked due to their small population. § The assembly consisted of 43, 000 male members over the age of 18. § Often, however, fewer than 6, 000 participated in meetings held every 10 days where they passed laws, elected officials, and made policy on war and foreign affairs. ► The top 10 officials, elected each year, were known as generals.

► After Pericles in Charge the Persian Wars, the most important general in the Athenian government was Pericles. § His wise rule guided Athens for over 30 years. ► He made Athens more democratic. § He appointed people based on skill not on their social class. ► He brought in more ordinary people in government. § This resulted in ordinary people (i. e. shopkeepers and laborers could participate in government along with nobles and farmers.

► Under Pericles in Charge his rule, Athens became a center of learning and the arts and was rebuilt. § The Persians destroyed much of city during the Persian Wars and so he erected new temples, monuments, and statues throughout the city. ► He supported writers artists, teachers, sculptors, and architects. § Philosophers (a person who searches for wisdom or enlightenment) also flourished and would reflect on the meaning of life. ► Since Athens had become such a great center for knowledge, Pericles called it “the school of Greece. ”

► At Athenian Life its peak in the 400 s B. C. , Athens was the largest Greek city-state. § Population was about 285, 000 of which 150, 000 were citizens. § Only 43, 000 were males who had political rights. § Athens was also home to around 35, 000 foreigners and 100, 000 enslaved people.

Athenian Men and Women ► Men worked as farmers, artisans and merchants. § Often completed their work in the morning and then would exercise in the gymnasium. § In the evening, upper class men enjoyed allmale gatherings where they ate, drank, and discussed philosophy or politics. ► Athenian women focused on their homes and families. § Girls often married in their mid-teens with responsibilities centering around having children and taking care of their household. § Women from poor families helped work the farm or sold goods in the local market place.

Athenian Men and Women ► Most upper class women rarely left the home. § Usually only left for funerals and festivals. § Had to be accompanied by a male relative. § They usually supervised servants and spun, dyed, and wove cloth. ► Athenian women could not attend school, but many were able to read and play music. ► Athenian society did not consider educated women equal to men. § Could not participate in political activities or own property.

Athenian Men and Women ► They were always under the care of a male member. § Husbands were responsible for their wives and unmarried daughters while sons looked after their widowed mothers. ► A few women had more freedom. § These were usually foreigners who were seen differently from Athenian women. ► Aspasia (as-PAY-zhuh) taught public speaking, and her ideas were popular amongst Athenians. ► Both Plato (PLAY-toh) (famous Greek Philosopher) and Pericles were influenced by her.

► Lived Aspasia from c. 470 B. C. – 400 B. C. ► Originally from Miletus in Asia Minor. ► Beauty and intellect made her a democratic symbol to the Greeks who looked up to her like a rock star. ► She aggressively enter the male dominated society and government of Greece. ► Also, was one of the first women to encourage other women to participate in government and demand their rights.

What Was the Role of Slavery in Athens? ► Slavery was common in ancient civilizations. § It was often considered a normal part of life, even by those who were slaves! § Even in a democracy like Athens. § Most homes in Athens has at least one enslaved person while some wealthy families had more. ► Many of these slaves were prisoners captured in battle. § Included Greeks and non-Greeks. ► Men worked on farms, in an artisan’s shop or at hard labor.

What Was the Role of Slavery in Athens? ► Enslaved women were cooks and servants in wealthy homes. § Sometimes even taught upper class children. ► The treatment of the slaves varied. § Those who worked in mines usually died early. § Those who worked as craftspeople had easier lives. § Occasionally, they could earn money and sometimes buy their freedom. § It may have also played a hand in developing Athens’ prosperous economy.

The Athenian Economy ► Farming was a common job amongst Athenians. § They grew grains, vegetables, and fruits including grapes for wine and olives for olive oil to be shipped out to foreign markets. ► Their farms lacked enough space to grow enough food for the city-state. § Though they grew some grain they often imported from other places. ► They constructed a large fleet for trading with other city-states in the Mediterranean world. § During the 400 s B. C. , they led the Greek world in trade trading items such as pottery and leather products.

War Between Athens and Sparta ► As time passed the Greek city-states understood that to survive they needed to cooperate with each other. § Even after the Persian Wars were over the Persians were still a threat. § Athens had joined a defensive league to protect its members against the Persians. ► The league’s headquarters was first found on an island known as Delos (DEE-LAHS), and thus, became known as the Delian League.

War Between Athens and Sparta ► Athens had provided most of the sailors and soldiers used by the Delian League. § Other city-states provided money and ships. ► In the following decades, they succeeded in driving the Persians out of Anatolia. ► Freed from Persian rule, Greece grew richer from increased overseas trade.

The Athenian Empire ► Despite its success, the Delian League failed. § Athens was the strongest city-state, and most of the league’s commanders and troops were Athenian. ► Over time Athens used its influence to control other city-states. § They were no longer an alliance of equal citystates fighting the Persians § Instead, they were now a group of city-states controlled by Athens.

The Athenian Empire ► Pericles’ leadership helped Athens dominate the Delian League § Treated the other city-states like subjects, requiring strict loyalty and regular payment. § He went so far as to demand they use their measurements and coins. ► In 454 B. C. , they had the Delian Leagues’ treasury moved from Delos to Athens. ► They also sent troops to other city-states to help the common people rebel against nobles in power.

► As War Breaks Out Athens grew in economic and political power, Sparta became alarmed. § Politically and socially Athens and Sparta were very different and neither trusted the other. § Both wanted to be the major power in Greece. ► Sparta eventually became the leader of an alliance of city-states against Athens. § In 433 B. C. , Athens began interfering with some of Sparta’s allies which, in turn, pressured Sparta to attack Athens. § War broke out between 431 B. C. until 404 B. C.

Pericles’s Funeral Oration ► During the war’s first winter, a public funeral was held for the soldiers who fell in battle. § The Athenian families had gathered to mourn their losses. a famous speech known as the Funeral Oration, Pericles spoke of the greatness of Athens and reminded the people that they made their government strong ► In § He reminded them that people must obey their constitution (the framework of government)

Pericles’s Funeral Oration ► Some of the duties included paying taxes and defending the city. § They were also awarded certain rights, such as the ability to vote and run for office. “Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands of a minority but of the whole people. When it is a question of settling private disputes, everyone is equal before the law…” -Pericles, funeral Oration, quoted in History of the Peloponnesian War

► In Pericles’s Funeral Oration his speech, Pericles spoke emphasized the importance of protecting a democratic way of life. § Urged listeners to continue fighting. § These ideas are still valued by citizens of democratic countries today.

Why Did Athens Lose the War? ► In a battle after the war started, Sparta and its allies surrounded Athens. § They knew that in an open battle they could defeat the Athenian army. ► Pericles troops. knew the weakness of the Athenian § He chose to keep his army and people within the walls of the city. § The Athenian navy would bring supplies from colonies and allies. § Sparta lacked a navy and could not stop the Athenian ships.

Why Did Athens Lose the War? ► For almost two years, Athens remained safe. § However, a disease broke out with the overcrowded city’s population. § More than 1/3 of the people died, including Pericles. ► During the next 25 years they each would attain some victories, but neither could defeat the other.

Why Did Athens Lose the War? ► As war dragged on, Athens fell into a state of unrest. § The democracy had been overthrown, and then that government was overthrown. § By 411 B. C. , democracy was restored, but the war continued. ► By 405 B. C. , Sparta’s newly built navy destroyed the Athenian fleet. § After this, they created a blockade around Athens to prevent it from receiving new supplies. § A year later, the starving Athenians surrendered. ► Sparta and its allies knocked the city walls down and the Athenian empire collapsed.

► The Effects of the War Peloponnesian War brought disaster to the Greek city-states. § Governments were left divided and weak. § People died from battle or diseases. § Fighting destroyed farms and left people without a way to earn a living. ► This resulted in many young Greeks leaving to join the Persian army. ► After the conflict, Sparta ruled over its new empire, much like Athens did before it. § The harsh treatment angered Sparta’s former allies.

► An The Effects of the War uneasy situation developed. § During the next 30 years, Sparta tried to put down rebellions and fought the Persians again. § By 371 B. C. , they city-state of Thebes seized Sparta and ended the Spartan empire. § Then 10 years later, Thebes also collapsed. ► As the kingdoms continued to fight they did not pay attention to the growing threat from Macedonia in the north. § Macedonia’s strength and thirst for expansion would cost the Greek city-states their independence