Golden Age of Athens What is a Golden

Golden Age of Athens…. What is a Golden Age?

Golden Age of Athens • Pericles – leader of Athens during Golden Age – Created Athenian Empire – Strengthened government and military (Navy) • Glorifying arts and architecture – Homer and the Iliad and Odyssey – Comedies, Tragedy

Greece’s Golden Age • During the golden age of Greece, Art, Architecture, Drama, and History flourish. • Art reflects the human figure. • Much of the art is of the Greek Gods/Goddesses. • The Parthenon was built during this time. (Pericles) • “Tragedies” and “Comedies” are developed. • Amphitheatres built. • Herodotus and Thucydides recorded history.

• A wise leader named Pericles ruled Athens from 460 -429 B. C. • Under Pericles, Athens had a direct democracy. • A large number of male citizens took part in the government. • Women did not participate. They were thought of as inferior. (Slaves and foreigners) • Athens was the first culture to have this much participation. • Athens was the center of Greek culture at this time.

Sculptures of Gods/Goddesses (not realistic)

Columns

The Parthenon BALANCE, HARMONY, SYMMETRY

Ancient Thinkers- philosophers -> Lovers of Wisdom • Socrates- philosopher Asked why things were the way they were? Why do we do what we do? • Killed for “corrupting” youth • Plato- Socrates' Student The Republic • how a governed society should be • “Philosopher King” • Aristotle- use of Logic • Idea would be later used in Science

Peloponnesian War : 431 - 404 BC

Athens vs. Sparta • Hostility between two had risen Athens invades Corcrya • Spartan Army vs Athens Navy • Plague hits Athens – Truce signed in 421 BC • Athens attacks Spartan ally of Syracuse 415 BC • Spartans respond and destroy Athens 413 BC • 9 years later – War is over 404 BC

Sparta Wins! But… Downfall of Athens and Sparta

Hellenistic Culture (Greek, Persian, Egyptian, and Indian) • Under Alexander THE GREAT 356 BC (Macedonian King)

– Used Aristotle's idea of Philosopher king and became very educated • Wanted to invaded Persia and King Darius • Conquered Persian Land in Middle East and Egypt • Continued to Indus River Valley

Alexander went to Hell and back with his PIGE – Spread Greek Empire across Africa and Central Asia • Led to massive cultural Diffusion through gained land PIGE = Persians Indians Greeks Egyptians

The Empire

Alexander’s Legacy • PIGE Cultural diffusion • Created City of Alexandria, Egypt (over 10 total) • Died with no heir – Fighting followed and empire destroyed

Hellenistic Culture Important people: • Pythagoras-> Advancements in Math • C 2 = a 2 + b 2 • Hippocrates Father of Medicine, doctors have a duty to take care and help people (Hippocratic oath)

Science and Tech • Astronomy --> solar system • Math and Physics (Euclid) – Size of earth, sun – Diameter, Pi (Archimedes) – Pulleys and levers (Archimedes)

Archimedes- Greek Scientist 287 BC – c. 212 BC • Archimedes's Screw • Heat Ray for destroying ships

After Alexander • Greek empire kept getting divided weaker • Eventually fell to Romans