U2LO1 – Classical Civilizations: Greece

Learning Obj. 1: Describe the major political, religious/philosophical and cultural influences of classical Greece and Rome including the origins and central ideas of Christianity and the legal tradition. (3A, 19B, 21B,22B, 25B)

Ancient Greece

• Since Greece has many islands, sea travel became very important.

• They traveled the Aegean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

H.E.I

Greece -- Geography• Greece is a land of many

mountain ranges and small islands

• This isolated early Greek cities from one another and led to highly independent communities and competitive rivalries.

• These separate city-states developed their own form of governments and system of laws.

P

The FIRST Greek State: Mycenae

• The Mycenaeans: 1600-1100 B.C.• Mainland Greeks• Many scattered monarchies built on hills and surrounded by

huge stone walls• A warrior civilization who prided themselves on heroism and

battles for land and territory.

Homer: The most famous epic- poet• The most famous of these wars (the Trojan War) was written

about by the poet Homer in the Illiad.• Epic-poem: a long poem that tells the deeds of a great hero.• The Illiad was meant to be memorized and recited and taught

young Greek boys the ideals of courage, honor and valor in battle.

Trojan War& Homer

• The Iliad and Odyssey first great epic poems of early Greece. Stories were passed from generation to generation.

• Epic Poem – long poem that tells the deed of a great hero.

• The war was caused by the kidnapping of Helen of Troy.

• Homers work was used as the basis of later Greek culture. The view of morals and hero behavior was instilled in Greek city states later in history.

The Iliad and the Odyssey

• Like the Minoans, the Mycenaean civilization collapsed due to natural disasters and invaders.

• Major earthquakes caused damage to Mycenaean cities.• In the 12th century B.C., Greek-speaking invaders moved into Greece

from the north and Mycenaean civilization collapsed.

Greek City-States- (750-500 B.C)• Greek city-states called a polis became the center of Greek life.• Polis- a town, city or village and its surrounding countryside.• Cities were generally located on a hill fortified with walls called an acropolis.

Society of the Polis

• Citizens with political rights (adult males)• Citizens without political rights (women &

children)• Noncitizens ( slaves and resident aliens or

foreigners)

S

Sparta vs Athens Boys Childhood

• At birth children were examined to see if they were fit to live.

• Those unfit were left on a mountain side to die.

• Taken from mother at the age of 7 and put under control of the state.

• Boys lived in military barracks and treated harshly to toughen them and make them mean.

• Their education was based on military training and obedience to authority.

• Athenian children were nurtured by their mother until the age of 7.

• At 7 a boy of the upper class was turned over to the families male servant known as a pedagogue. He accomanied the child to school.

• The pedagogue was responsible for teaching the child good manners.

• The education was meant to make Athen boys well rounded. They had three teachers. One to teach to read, write and arithmetic. Second to teach PE. Third for music.

SPARTA

SPARTA• At birth children were examined to see if they were fit to live.

• Those unfit were left on a mountain side to die.

• Taken from mother at the age of 7 and put under control of the state.

• Boys lived in military barracks and treated harshly to toughen them and make them mean.

• Their education was based on military training and obedience to authority.

• Although he was allowed to marry, a Spartan warrior had to live in the barracks until he was 30 (when he could vote in the assembly).

• He would remain in the army until he was 60 (if he survived that long).

C

Spartan Women• Spartan women had a reputation for being some of the most

beautiful and fierce women of Greece.• Also went through physical training- running, wrestling and

throwing the javelin.

C

Government of Sparta

• Oligarchy – government ruled by few.

• Sparta’s Oligarchy – headed by two kings, who led the Spartan army. Group of five men, known as ephors were elected and responsible for education of youth and conduct of citizens. A council of elders, composed of the two kings and 28 citizens over the age of 60.

P

ATHENS • Athenian children were nurtured by their mother until the age of 7.

• At 7 a boy of the upper class was turned over to the families male servant known as a pedagogue. He accompanied the child to school.

• The pedagogue was responsible for teaching the child good manners.

• The education was meant to make Athen boys well rounded. They had three teachers. One to teach to read, write and arithmetic. Second to teach PE. Third for music.

Democracy in Athens

• Democratic ideas based on Athenian experience with limited government.

• Direct Democracy – people participate directly in government decision making through mass meetings. Every male citizen over 18 participated in Athens.

P

Athenian Education• Athenian boys were taught a

well rounded education- school began at 7

• Reading writing and arithmetic

• Physical education• Music (playing the lyre and

singing)• Athenians became an adult

citizen at 18.

C

Athenian Women• Women’s lives centered around the home.• A girl’s mother taught her housework, spinning and weaving.• Good wives must stay inside and out of sight and must be above

suspicion.

Most Women did not receive an education. Some wealthy families would teach their daughters to read, write and play the lyre.

C