The Ancient Greeks

THE ANCIENT GREEKSBy: Kelsie

Kelsie Anderson - History

The Cycladic and Minoan Culture

Cycladic culture- a group of about 200 islands east of the Greek mainland.

The Cyclades made a living by fishing and trading.

After about 2000 B.C. the Cyclades followed customs from more powerful cultures.

The Minoan culture began in 2700 B.C. in Crete. They began as an agricultural society. The Minoans built a large building called Knossos. Knossos covered an area as large as about three

football fields.


The Mycenaean and Trojan Culture

The settlement at Mycenae started in about 1900 B.C.

The Mycenaean culture spread throughout the Aegean region.

The Minoan and Mycenaean cultures adapted each others ways.

The Trojans- Started at the city of Troy, the Trojan culture began in 2900 B.C.

The Mycenaean culture built a huge hollow horse and hid inside it. The Trojans then accepted it at a peace offering.

Then, the Mycenaeans defeated the Trojans.


Pictures for Lesson OneMycenaean Weapons

Minoan Map

Trojan Horse


To Be Greek And The Rise of the City-states

City-states were formed when people from neighboring villages to protect each other.

Most of the groups built forts on hilltops, called an acropolis.

The people of the city-states shared an ancestor, Hellen.

The called themselves Hellenes and their country Hellas.

The Greeks called people who couldn’t speak Greek barbarians.


Athens and Sparta Athens was a city-state and located on Attica. After the Dark Age, the Athens ruled by an aristocracy. The Athenians struggled for control of a city-state. The Athenians asked their leader, Solon, to make

changes so he can end their struggles. He divided them into classes based on wealth. Sparta was also a city-state, located on the

Peloponnesians Peninsula. Only men in the ruling class were considered citizens

of Sparta. Sparta had a citizen assembly where they voted on

laws, but didn’t suggest them.


Pictures for Lesson TwoAthen Flag

Greek Writing

Spartan War

Acropolis


The Persian Wars and The Age of Pericles

The Greek city-states fought over land and trade. A common enemy was Persia. Persia built a huge

empire including Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt, and the Greek city-states.

When a battle was won, a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens to tell about the victory. Athletes re-create this by running a marathon.

The Greeks defeated the Persians many times even though the Persians outnumbered the Greeks.

Pericles led the Athenians for most of the Athenian rule. In 460 B.C. Pericles was elected leader for the Athens. In 457 B.C. Pericles allowed every male citizen to hold

any position in the government office.


The Achievements and End of the Golden Age

Sophocles wrote tragedies, serious plays with sad endings.

Aristophanes wrote comedies, or plays that are funny.

When the Golden Age was going on, scientists studied human life and nature.

Soldiers were sent to Egypt so Pericles could make Athens the school of Greece. This started the Peloponnesian war.

A disease spread throughout the city when Pericles called all people from the countryside to the city.

Finally, the Athens surrendered to Sparta.


Greek Philosophers Philosophers also means “lovers of

wisdom.” Socrates called himself “gadfly” because

he used criticism to get them into thinking about the best way to live life.

This annoyed the leaders of Athens and Socrates was ordered to drink poison.

Socrates drank the poison because he believed that it was important to obey the law.


Pictures for Lesson Three


The Making of an Emperor Alexander The Great was born in 356 B.C.

in Macedonia. His mother’s name was Olympias, she

was also Greek. Alexander’s teacher was Aristotle. At age 16, Alexander fought in the army. At age 18, Alexander commanded the

cavalry Two years later, Philip died and Alexander

became king.


The Building Of an Empire In 334 B.C. Alexander defeated the Persians. King Gordius tied a knot to his chariot and stated

if anyone untied the knot would rule Asia. Alexander cut Gordius’s knot and was crowned

king. Alexander and his army also conquered Tyre in

332 B.C. Alexander was pharaoh of Egypt after freeing

them from the Persian rule. Next, Alexander captured Babylon and

Persepolis.


The End of an Empire Alexander led his army into Bactria and

married a princess, Roxane. Alexander wanted to lead his army into

northern Africa. Alexander died shortly before his 33rd

birthday of an illness. After his death, the empire began to

break into separate parts.


Alexander’s Legacy Many of the cultures Alexander’s army

conquered began to speak and write in Greek.

Alexander built many cities before his death. Many of Alexander’s cities were named Alexandria.

In Alexandria, Egypt a library contained more than 500,000 scrolls of papyrus.

In the museum, scholars exchanged ideas.


Pictures for Lesson Four

The Ancient Greeks

Documents

Transcript of The Ancient Greeks