Ancient Greece: Locations and Definitions

Ancient Greece Locations

• Key locations: Athens, Sparta, Mediterranean, Aegean, Ionian, Crete, and Peloponnesus

Cardinal Directions of Ancient Greece

• North: Macedonia, and the Balkan Peninsula
• South: The Mediterranean Sea, Crete, and North Africa (Egypt)
• East: Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), the Aegean Sea, and Persia
• West: The Ionian Sea

Greece Definitions

• Archipelago: A group of islands closely scattered in a body of water
• Peninsula: Land surrounded by water on 3 sides
• Peloponnesus Peninsula: A large land in southern Greece surrounded by the Aegean, Ionian, and the Mediterranean Sea; it contains important ancient cities such as Sparta and Olympia

City-States

• Small and independent entities
• Each with a main city and surrounding land

Seas Surrounding Peloponnesus Peninsula

• Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean

Significance of Olive Oil

• Used for cooking, clay lamps, medicine, and skincare
• Important trade product and athletic prize
• Athena grew the first olive tree by striking her spear into the rock of the acropolis

Crete Island

• Origin of the Minoan civilization
• Site of the first Greek civilization (Minoan)

Minoans

• The earliest civilizations in ancient Greece
• Discovery of the Knossos Palace revealed their art, strict democratic government, royalty, culture, monarchy, and luxury

Mycenae

• Warrior society, but not as skilled as Spartans
• Known for Tholos: dome-shaped pyramid structures
• King Agamemnon ruled the Mycenaean empire, which extended to the northern coast of Asia Minor
• The empire was divided into decentralized centers

Downfall of Civilizations

• Minoans: Volcanic eruption and Mycenaean invasions
• Mycenaeans: Internal wars between city-states and earthquakes

Dark Age Characteristics

• Lack of sufficient records
• Population decline
• Decline in food production

Homer

• Prominent poet of the Mycenaean civilization
• Renowned for the Illiad and Odyssey

Aristotle

• Ancient Greek philosopher
• Founder of the Peripatetic school

Tholos

• Dome-shaped pyramids constructed in the hills of Mycenaean civilization

Polis

• Comes for the word "politics"
• Urban center surrounded by countryside
• Center of political, social, and religious activities
• Citizens had political rights, while non-citizens did not
• Military structure (hierarchical)

Acropolis

• Fortified area
• Safe refuge during war
• Located on a hill
• Serves as a religious center

Agora

• Marketplace where people and the community gather

Helots

• Slaves

Hoplites

• Heavily armed ancient Greek foot soldiers

Phalanx

• Tactical military formation

Aristocracy

• Government where power is held by a small group of noble, wealthy, and land-owning families

Sparta's Government

• Oligarchy headed by two kings
• Practiced brainwashing
• Discouraged foreigners
• Forbade studying
• Focused solely on the art of war

Sparta's Military

• Conquered neighboring countries
• Used helots
• Military state from 800-600 BCE

Sparta's Social Structure

• Helots
• All citizens were warriors
• Women stayed at home with considerable freedom
• Women needed to stay fit for childbirth and raising children, with high expectations for husbands and sons
• Men were largely absent
• Boys began military training at age 7, leaving home

Athens' Government

• Evolved into a monarchy (democracy)
• Faced economic issues
• Free men could vote and participate in decision-making

Athens' Military

• Metics (foreigners) worked in trade but lacked political rights
• Education ended at age 18
• Women of all classes stayed home, managing the household
• Only wealthy families could afford writing and reading education
• Boys focused on art and philosphy

Athens' Social Structure

• Pedagogue: The 'child guide' who cared for the slave and was responsible for them

Monarchy

• Single individual who holds supreme authority -Pros: Effective resource mobilization, stability, unified actions, long-term leadership, stronger traditions, and long-term planning -Cons: Dependence on the allure of a single leader, difficulty in change, potential for abuse, corruption, erosion of power, and inherent vulnerability

Oligarchy

• Rule by a few -Examples from Greece: Corinth was ruled by wealthy elites, and Sparta was ruled by two kings and the ephors
• Gerousia: Council of elders
• Ephors: A body of five elected officials chosen annually by Spartan citizens -Pros: Power rests in an elite group, ensures balance, allows for more education, experienced and educated leaders, and prevents absolute power -Cons: Driven by self-interest, benefits a narrow circle, neglects needs, and causes social divisions

Tyranny

• Tyrannos: individual seizing power. Ex: Cypselus of Corinth Ex: Periander ruled with extreme brutality.
• Thalassocracy: The city that Cypselus established by overthrowing the oligarchy system

Tyranny Pros and Cons

-Pros: Benefits lower classes, creates a wealthy state, and provides opportunities for change

• Cons: Grievances are brutal, disrupts established orders, and leads to ongoing instability and conflict

Democracy

• Cleisthenes is known as the father of democracy; he created the Boule (council of 500)
• Demos Kratos: Means power of people
• Ekklesia: An assembly where citizens met to vote and debate
• Boule: Council of 500 created by Cleisthenes
• Isonomia: All citizens have equal rights under the law
• Ostracism: Citizens vote to exile individuals posing a threat to democracy