The Greek CityStates Section 1 Early Greeks and

The Greek City-States Section 1: Early Greeks and the Rise of City-States

Geography: • Southern Balkan peninsula • Bordered by Mediterranean, Aegean, and Ionic Seas • Small islands, uneven coastline – close to sea everywhere (fishermen, sailors, traders) • Short mountain ranges cut up mainland – hard to unify people • Rivers were short – not good for trade or travel • So…separate city-states arose

Minoans vs. Mycenaeans Minoans Mycenaeans Location Crete Greek mainland, Crete Dates 2000 – 1400 BC 1600 – 1200 BC Achievements Running water, art Fort-like cities, warriors, (frescoes), trade network, writing (linear B) navy, writing (linear B) Reason for Collapse Volcano, tidal wave, taken over by Mycenaeans Earthquakes, war

The Minoans’ commercial (trading) contact with ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia influenced their own culture. The Minoans are credited as the first European civilization.

The Mycenaean era is also the called “Age of Heroes” because it is the source of the mythological heroes and epics like Hercules, the Iliad and the Odyssey. Mycenaean culture had a great deal of influence with its legends and Greek language on what later became the splendor of Classical Greece. The Mycenaeans are the first “Greeks”

After 1100 BC Mycenaean civilization ceased either through internal fighting, or outside invasions. The extensive damage done to the Mycenaean civilization took 300 years to reverse. We call this period “the Dark Ages” because it’s a period of basic survival with no evidence of cultural development

Dark Ages – 1150 – 800 BC Government of tribes and chiefs Declining population, falling food production Agriculture and herding Not much trade “Survival mode”

Greek Writing Later in the Dark Ages (between 950 and 750 BCE), Greeks relearned how to write once again Instead of using the Linear B script used by the Mycenaeans, they adopted the alphabet used by the Phoenicians (learned through trade). The Greek version of the alphabet eventually formed the base of the alphabet we use today!

Greek city-states 800 s/700 s BC – formed independent citystates (polis) Concept of a polis: city (fort) and surrounding territory community (people) politically and economically independent

How city-states (poleis) were alike: 1. Covered small area 2. Populations of fewer than 10, 000 (mostly slaves) 3. Fort built on acropolis (hill) 4. Had an agora (marketplace, public meeting place)

Acropolis In Greek, Acropolis means "Highest City". For purposes of defense, early settlers naturally chose elevated ground. The most famous example is the Acropolis of Athens which is known as the Acropolis. It contains the famous Parthenon, built as a temple to the Greek goddess Athena.

Agora The ruins of the Agora, the commercial center of ancient Athens.

5. Greeks had loyalty to polis 6. People from all poleis spoke Greek 7. All saw non-Greeks as barbarians 8. Shared many religious, cultural, and social characteristics

How city-states were different: Each had its own: Government Laws Calendar Money Weights and measures

Section 2: Greek Government and Society

Few could write at this time – mostly oral communication Iliad (legend of Trojan War – Troy) and Odyssey (after Trojan War) were epics written by Homer during this time period (700 BC) Not this one! This Homer!

Trojan War Horse

Religion: Greeks used religion to: Explain nature Explain emotions of people Bring them earthly benefits like long life, good luck, good harvest Did not expect religion to save them from sin Afterlife: believed spirts went to a gloomy underworld ruled by the god Hades Created myths about gods, goddesses, and heroes to explain their world Zeus was king of the gods – the Olympics were held every four years starting in 776 BC to honor Zeus

Section 3: Sparta and Athens

The Dark Ages are followed by the period of maturity known as “Classical Greece”. Between 480 and 323 BC, Athens and Sparta dominated the Greek world with their cultural and military achievements.

Sparta: The Military Ideal Sparta was in a valley, not on a hill It did not have walls for defense This may explain why Sparta developed as rigid and highly militarized (very different from Athens)

Spartan government: • 2 kings – one led army, one took care of matters at home • Council of Elders – 28 male citizens over age of 60 • Assembly – all males over 30; voted on laws made by Council • 5 ephors made sure kings stayed within law; complete control over education of young Spartans • First system of “checks and balances”

Life in military society: • Controlled life of citizens from birth to death • Adult males made part of “military machine” • Officials examined newborn babies; children deemed unhealthy were left to die • At age 7 – boys left home to live in military barracks; from age 18 – 20, trained specifically for war • Could marry at 20 but could not live at home til 30; not allowed to trade or do business (love of money interfered with military discipline)

• Remained available for military service until age 60 • Spartan girls had to be strong and healthy (as wives and mothers of soldiers); received strict physical training • Led to strong government and almost unbeatable army • Created very little in terms of art, philosophy, or science

Athens: The Birth of a Democracy Located on Attic peninsula; very unfertile; turned to sea and became traders Typical polis built around rocky hill, with strong walls

Early government: • Aristocratic at first • Only citizens who owned land held office • Elected generals in war time • Elected 9 archons (rulers with one-year terms) • Solon (ruler – 560 BC) erased debts of poor and freed slaves • He divided all citizens into 4 groups based on wealth: 2 richest could hold office • All free men could elect these officials • Set up court of citizen jurors

Athenian democracy: 507 BC – Cleisthenes (“Father of Democracy”) seized power and formed a democracy Courts became more democratic “Direct democracy” – all citizens participated directly in making decisions Today we have a “representative democracy” – we choose representatives to make decisions for us

Section 5: The Expansion of Greece (The Persian and Peloponnesian Wars)

Persian War At first, Greek city-states developed in isolation from the nearby empires of Southwest Asia They were then contacted by the Persians The Persian War involved Athens and Sparta versus Persia

Persian War

Persian War • 546 BC – Persians conquered Greek colonies on west coast of Asia Minor • 500 BC – Greeks rebelled against Persians • 492 BC – Persian ruler Darius’s forces conquered Thrace and Macedonia • 490 BC – Battle of Marathon • Persians invaded Greek mainland • Athenians defeated Persians (Athenians were outnumbered) • Led to uneasy peace

Persian War • 480 BC – Battle of Thermopylae • 300 Spartans held Persians in narrow mountain pass of Thermopylae • Spartans were killed but bought the other Greeks more time to prepare their forces • 480 BC - Battle of Salamis • Greek ships were more maneuverable and sank much of the Persian fleet • 479 BC – Battle of Platea • Athens and Sparta joined forces to defeat Persians • Ended Persian War

Delian League Persian empire was still powerful Greeks now had confidence but still felt threatened Need for unity – formed Delian League Alliance of 140 city-states Athens was leader By 450 BC, Athens had built an empire based on the Delian League

Delian League

Age of Pericles • Leader of Athens from 461 – 429 BC • Athens was at its peak of power and wealth • Athenian democracy at its height (most completely democratic government in history) • Strengthened and extended Athens’ empire • Built Parthenon and Acropolis

Pericles and the Delian League • Under Pericles, members of Delian league received benefits but lost their independence • Athens made all the decisions • Pericles moved treasury to Athens and used money for good of Athens • Forced city-states to join League

Peloponnesian War

Peloponnesian War • Discontent with League grew • Failed to unite all of Greece under Athens • 431 BC – war broke out between Athens and Sparta • Spartans had stronger army • Athenians hid behind their city wall • Athens had stronger navy and could bring in food by ship

Peloponnesian War • War continued for 27 years • Plague broke out in Athens, killing many, including Pericles Sparta, with Persia’s help, finally cut off Athens’ food supply Athens surrendered in 404 BC

Peloponnesian War Greece was now unstable Sparta and Thebes both tried to control Greece, both were defeated Greek civilization still made great advances during this time

Although the power of Athens was broken, it made a recovery as a result of the Corinthian War Athens beat Sparta with the help of 3 other city-states Athens continued to play an active role in Greek politics The glory of Athens and Sparta was brought to an end a few decades later when Phillip II of Macedon conquered all of Greece.