Sam Railey. Started before the Persian empire, Greek city-states developed an economy based on...
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Transcript of Sam Railey. Started before the Persian empire, Greek city-states developed an economy based on...
CLASSICAL GREECESam Railey
Origins and Beginnings Started before the
Persian empire, Greek city-states developed an economy based on trade
They were organized by largely populated city-states, surrounded by farming land
They would become a rival power against the Persians, other Mediterranean power
Two Major City-States Athens- At first was ruled by a rich
aristocratic class, but there are problems and social unrest
Next, they established a democratic government ruled by the people around 5th century BCE
While all citizens can attend the meetings in this first organized direct democracy, there are a few who are the best speakers and their ideas dominate
Sparta- Based more on an aristocratic
model, with two kings and an oligarchy underneath them
Militaristic state, where women were expected to bear sons who would grow to be brave and loyal soldiers
Loyalty and bravery were dominating values, opposed to public speaking and knowledge in Athens
Leading Up To The Hellenistic Period
Persian power and land grabs stressed the need for unification and cooperation between Athens and Sparta
The Persian Wars resulted- where some of the most epic battles of all time would happen: Thermopylae, Marathon, etc.
After the defeat of Persia, Athens built a Delian League made up of many small states under one empire
Tensions grew between Athens and Sparta with their large borders touching and sometimes overlapping
The Peloponnesian War started over Corcyra land disputes, but ultimately was about taking over the other city-state and conquering its money and glory
While Sparta technically won by cutting Athens off, the War was bad for both city-states in that it greatly weakened them and made their land look appealing to a new group of people: The Macedonians
Achievements of Pre-Hellenistic Greece
Homer’s epics the Iliad and the Odyssey-great works of poetry
Democracy and trial and jury were first developed in Greece
Athletic competitions such as the Olympic Games: these were for entertainment as well as an attempt to improve relations among people from different lands
The oracles at Delphi were a religious organization that made predictions and gave advice
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle set up philosophical ways of thinking that stressed logic, ethics, and the need for intelligent rule
The Dawn Of The Hellenistic Period
Macedon came to take Greece from the North, then also took the Persians
Phillip II takes over and makes his empire, and on his death his son Alexander rose to power
He became a series of militaristic and political conquests that together made the largest empire that had ever been
Hellenistic Culture As had happened with Greece
before Macedonian conquest, former warriors settled down and started to build large aristocratic homes and positions
There was still a peasant class, though they were not used as an army any more, because of all of the trained warriors who wanted glory and riches
Merchants also had high positions in society, having a better social position than other merchants in most other classical societies
The warrior class was one of prestige, and being a brave soldier was something that increased your status and money
Achievements of the Hellenistic Period
With all of the wealth acquired by the military conquests, there was enough money, time, and manpower to make great public works and achievements in art and culture
The great library in Alexandria was built, along with museums around the empire
The earth’s rotation and revolution were correctly guessed, and mathematical ideas flourished
Sculpture and art followed the earlier Greek method of realistic sculpture with heroic qualities
Philosophy also made gains in new ideas; the Stoics who preached the living under virtues, which would make happiness
Contributions to the Modern World
While many of these accomplishments are known and widely credited to Classical Greece, a great deal of them made large impacts on life for the modern world. They include:
Geometry-many of the postulates and theorems came form Greece
Greco-Roman architecture is found in the capital building and the White House
Medicine- Hippocrates pioneered in treatment of common ailments
The Scientific Method comes from early philosophical methods of thinking and learning through logic and fact
The Olympic Games were made in Greece, as was wrestling, discus throwing, and other events in track and field
Achievements and Contributions
Works Cited
Carr, Dr. Karen. “Classical Greece.” Kidipede. N.p., 15 Jan. 2009. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. <http://www.historyforkids.org/ learn/ greeks/ history/ classical.htm>.
“Classical Greece.” Wikipedia. N.p., 2009. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Classical_Greece>.
Gill, N S. “Classical Greece.” About.com. New York Times Co., 2009. Web. 28 Sept. 2009. <http://ancienthistory.about.com/ cs/ greecehellas1/ a/ classicalgreece.htm>.
Kreis, Steven. “Classical Greece.” The History Guide. N.p., 2000. Web. 29 Sept. 2009. <http://www.historyguide.org/ ancient/ lecture7b.html>.
Stearns, Peter N. World Civlizations: The Global Experience. New York: Pearson Longman, 2008. Print.