Ancient Greece: Locations and Terrain

• Identify the locations of Athens, Sparta, Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, Crete, and Peloponnesus on a map.
• Cardinal directions of ancient Greece:
• South: Mediterranean Sea, northern coast of Africa including Egypt
• East: Asia Minor, Turkey, Middle Eastern countries, Aegean Sea
• West: Ionian Sea
• North: Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria

Archipelago, Peninsula, Peloponnesus

• Archipelago: A group of islands.
• Peninsula: Land surrounded by water on three sides.
• Peloponnesus Peninsula: Located in the southernmost part of mainland Greece and surrounded by the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean seas.

City States

• City-states were close-knit and independent due to natural barriers like mountains hindering communication.
• The difficulty in communication helped unite Greece; they had a religious belief system and cultural similarities.
• The terrain consisted of independent political entities, each comprising a single city and its surrounding territory.

Aegean, Ionian, Mediterranean Seas

• These seas provided fishing opportunities and fertile land.
• They served as vital links between mainland communities and islands.
• Sea travel facilitated shared ideas and trade.
• Maritime activity led to powerful navies and a shared identity, but the sea could also trigger fears and tales.

Olive Oil Importance

• Food & Cooking: Primary ingredient in Greek cuisine for cooking and dressing.
• Skincare & Hygiene: Mixed with scented herbs for cleaning and moisturizing, an alternative to soap.
• Lighting: Burned in clay lamps, the main source of light in Greek households.
• Cultural & Religious Significance: Divine gift from Athena, symbolizing wisdom and prosperity.
• Economic Importance: A valuable trade commodity in ancient Greece.

Crete Island

• The Minoan civilization emerged here
• Discovery of Knossos which was used for kings. It had a complex design.
• It was home to rich culture that traded with Egypt and southern Greece

Minoans

• 2800 BCE, Bronze Age
• Established on Crete as a sea/trade empire.
• Named after Minos, the legendary king.
• Discovered by Arthur Evans, an English archaeologist.
• Marked by the Knossos palace, which featured a strict tax and government system
• Traded with Egypt and southern Greece
• Collapsed due to volcanic eruptions and Mycenaean invasions.

Mycenae

• 1400 BCE
• Fortified site in Greece divided into centers, representing a decentralized civilization.
• Indo-European family that entered mainland Greece.
• Ruled by a monarchy.
• Known for tholos tombs in the mountains, shaped like dome/beehive.
• Known as a warrior society, with a commercial network connecting it to the outside.
• Military adventures were written about by "Homer".
• Collapsed due to internal warfare and earthquakes.

Downfall of Civilizations & Dark Age

• Civilizations declined due to natural catastrophes and internal collapse/invasion.
• The Dark Age saw a decline in records, literacy, population, and food production.

Homer

• A poet that wrote about the war which featured characters like Agamemnon and Troy.
• Writings are known as the Iliad & Odyssey
• Invented a new writing system.

Aristotle

• A philosopher who stated that citizens belong to the state

Tholos

• Tombs for rich people with a circular, domed shape

Polis

• Greek "city-state" which became the center of Greek life which the origin of politics
• Was the city and countryside combined together
• It was at the center of political, social, and religious life as a community
• They were patriotic, nationalistic, and independent
• The city had a strong military system
• Citizens had political rights but this was only for adult males
• Women and Children had no rights
• Slaves and resident aliens were non citizens
• Rights came with responsibilities
• The city had no trust between each other
• There was no individualism
• Military and strong
• They were hierarchical
• Aristocrats are land owners
• Hoplites were foot soldiers
• The military was based on the phalanx formation

Acropolis

• Located on top of a hill, fortified, provided safety during war, and served as a religious center

Agora

• Located below the hill and was a market place for normal people
• Occupied by women because all men served in the military

Helots

• Captured people who were now Spartan military

Hoplites

• Foot soldiers

Phalanx

• The formation the soldiers used

Aristocracy

• Land owners and rich people
• Occupied the highest rank in social structure and the military
• Solon, Pisistratus, and Cleisthenes were aristocrats

Sparta

• Located on the Peloponnesus peninsula

Sparta's Government

• Oligarchy: Headed by two men
• Council: 28 "elder people"
• Assembly: Made up of male citizens who only voted
• Had a controlled environment
• Foreigners and the population were discouraged to learn
• Military state with a strong need for land, invaded to acquire more

Sparta's Social Structure

• Boys: Joined military school at 7, lived in Barracks at 20, left at 30, and could vote at 30, and stayed in the army until 60
• Girls: Stayed at home and were healthy, had freedom and power, remained fit, and raised children

Athens

• Located on the Attica Peninsula
• Government:
• Early on was a monarchy led by aristocrats
• This became a political turmoil and the aristocrats fought farmers which led to civil war and farmers being sold into slavery
• Early on the government was controlled by the leading class and owned the most land
• Solon an aristocrat came into power that canceled slavery and debts
• Pisistratus: Aided Athenian trade so merchants would like him and gave aristocrat's land away so he was favored.
• Cleisthenes: Founded democracy

Athens Social Structure

• Purpose of education was to make rounded individuals
• Boys:
• Boys in the upper class had a pedagogue
• Each boy had 3 teachers that taught reading, writing, arithmetic, physical education, and music
• Girls:
• From all Classes, stayed at home and remained at home

Pedagogue

• Slave that had the role of teaching boys morals
• Would take responsibility and punish if needed

Monarchy

• Led by a single individual and held supreme authority
• Mycenae was a monarchy led by a Wanax (king) such as Agamemnon
• Featured long term leadership and planning

Oligarchy

• A rule led by a few "aristocrats" driven by self interest
• Power was in the hands of an elite group
• Changed from monarchs because the king became weak
• Athens: An oligarchy that prevented absolute power from going to a single person
• Gerousia: Sparta's 28 council of elders
• Ephors: Five democratic officials in Sparta that had power over the king
• Had enslaved workers with no rights called helots
• Featured more checks and balances more education and experience
• Negative side include: Self interest, internal conflicts, and bigger social division

Tyranny

• A person seized power through support from the population
• They would take advantage of citizens because they were dissatisfied
• Were dictatorships
• Pisistratus used forceful methods that would still implement and reform the government
• Hippias was very cruel and would hurt his political enemies
• Thalassocracy = sea empire for trade
• Cypselus of Corinth overthrew the oligarchy and made it a powerful empire
• It was a brutal government that was only temporary

Democracy

• Flourished in Athens
• Was the most revolutionary experiment of the Greek political experiment
• Demos Kratos means power to the people
• Solon and Cleisthenes were examples which addressed inequality and broadened more political participation
• Pericles: Saw the height where citizens served juries, were elected official and participated in daily political life
• Ekklesia: Central governing body, voted on laws, elected officials, ensuring more voices were heard
• Boule: Council of citizens in Athens
• Isonomia: The idea the all citizens were equal
• Ostracism: Where citizen exile anyone deemed to be a threat to democracy
• Pros: Equality
• Cons: Exploitations through propaganda, minorities are left out, exclusive democracy