Athens’ Age of Glory

Lesson 3

The Big Picture

In 499BC Greece went to war with Persia Understanding the importance of sea power, Athenians built a

naval fleet Over the next 20 years they joined forces with Sparta and other

city- states Together they defeated the Persians Many Greek colonies were still in danger of Persian attack Some colonies began paying money to Athens for protection. This made

Athens rich This age of wealth and great achievement is known as the “Golden Age”

Walk Through Athens

The Acropolis was high above the city (this was the religious center of Athens)

New building displayed the city’s new wealth and power At their center rose a temple to honor the goddess Athena. This

is known as the Parthenon. The temple can be seen from anywhere in the city About 100,000 people lived in Athens making it the largest city

Activity in the Agora

Many had come to do business at the Agora There were students, lawyers, shopkeepers, that worked in the

market or government buildings In the corner of the agora, was the city’s “bulletin board”. This is

where people could post messages about matters that are being voted on

Merchants sold perfume, vegetables, and clothing or offered haircuts

In workshops, potters crafter pots and bowls

Athenian Government

Early 400 B.C a small council of powerful citizens made all of the cities decisions

Later on, the councils powers had been taken over by an assembly Assembly- is a lawmaking body of a government The assembly voted on issue that helped shape the future of the city

No women or enslaved men had a say in the government (they were not considered citizens- they could not own land)

A Great Statesman

Pericles was an Athenian leader- the government was a democracy

Pericles made sure poor as well as rich citizens could take part in the government

Citizen served on the assembly and sat on juriesJury- is a group of citizens chosen to hear evidence and make decisions

in a court of lawCitizens were paid when they served on the jury. This allowed farmers

and other poor citizen could afford to take time off of work to be involved in the government

Philosophy in Athens Socrates was a famous philosopher He led discussions about the right way to live He taught philosophy ( the search for wisdom or the right way

to live) They discussed what makes the best kind of government and

what it means to be a good citizen Shortly before 400 B.C Socrates began questioning Athenian

values (such as laws), customs and religion It made some Athenians angry that someone would question the

polis. He was put on trial and sentenced to death His teaching were written down by his student Plato ( who also

became a famous philosopher)

War and Conflict

The Golden age of Athens did not last foreverSparta and other city- states became jealous of Athens They formed the Peloponnesian League

This became known as the Peloponnesian War

Battles on land and Sea The wars began with an attack from the Spartan army Pericles knew that his army was no match for Sparta

He said that all people living outside the cities wall move inside the cities surrounding wall. This was used as protection

Sparta's army destroyed the farmland around Athens Athenians did not starve because they controlled the Aegean sea. Ships

were able to bring in grain from other areas

Because Athens had such a strong navy, they were able to win the battles in the sea. Sparta won many battle's on land.

A terrible disease swept through Athens. At least 1/3 of the population died (so did Pericles)

A Final Blow In 404 B.C Sparta was able to cut off Athens grain supply from

the Black Sea Starving Athenians surrendered

The End of the Golden Age

Following the Peloponnesian wars, Sparta was in control of the Polis. This was short lived

These unsettled times would leave Greece open to threats from a new power to the north