THE GOLDEN AGE OF GREECE AND GREEK THOUGHT

THE GOLDEN AGE OF GREECE AND GREEK THOUGHT

BEFORE THE GOLDEN AGE Greco-Persian War - occurred because of Athens’ support of Ionia

Greco-Persian War Map

TWO MAIN BATTLES Battle of Marathon l Surprising win for Greeks Story of Pheidippides

BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE 100, 000 Persians “defeated” by 7, 000 Greeks Story of “ 300” Spartans Importance?

EFFECTS Iron weapons (used by Greeks) prove better than bronze weapons Creation of phalanx Delian League is formed- leads to Athens’ empire and disputes between Athens/Sparta l Begins Golden Age of Athens Greece no longer vulnerable to Persians

WHAT IS A GOLDEN AGE? ATHENS was at the forefront of world in MANY areas In Athens- based on Political, military, intellectual advancement

ARCHITECTURE: THE PARTHENON

WHAT MAKES IT GREAT? Building style (columns, symmetry) Building use (beauty vs. shelter) Influences architecture of future Use of “golden rectangle”- ratio of 1 to 1. 61803

ART:

“THE SCHOOL OF ATHENS” Sculpted their view of Greek gods Showed what they viewed as “beauty” NOT what was real Symmetry again!

THEATRE SOPHOCLES- social critic EURIPIDES- nonreligious plays ARISTOPHANES - comedies Comedy/Tragedy

PHILOSOPHY SOCRATESSocratic method DEMOCRITUSfirst to propose atom theory

POLITICS Pericles- stable direct democracy l Led programs for poor l Known for speeches- funeral oration

ON THE OTHER HAND… Sparta- agricultural economy Government with checks and balances Extremely militarized culture Actually better liked throughout Greece than Athens

ENDED BY: Peloponessian War Death of Pericles- 429 BCE LED TO: New age of Greek thought…WHY?

Peloponnesian War

SPARTA vs. ATHENS Athens= strong navy Sparta= strong army Athens weakened by Sparta burning food supply Plague kills 1/3 of Athens’ population l Sparta still unsuccessful in defeating Athens until 404 BCE l

THE RESULT Sparta wins- but not really Athens loses empire, power and wealth Athenians lose confidence in democracy Sparta also sapped of resources and declines both economically and militarily