Ancient Greek Wars and Democracy

Ancient Greece

• Geography: Greece is a peninsula with numerous islands, an important factor for trade and cultural exchange
• Timeline of Ancient Greece:
  • Earliest Neolithic settlements (c. 6000 BC): Beginning of agriculture
  • First settlement of Athens (c. 3000 BC)
  • Minoan Civilization (2200-1500 BC): Bronze Age civilization on Crete with unique architecture, labyrinthine palaces, and bull-focused artwork (Minotaur legend); navy for trade, and influence in the Aegean Sea
  • Mycenaean Civilization (1900-1100 BC): First confederacy of city-states on mainland Greece. Famous culture focused on honor and glory in battle, including the Trojan War (c. 1194-1184 BC)
  • Greek Dark Age (c. 1100-750 BC): Following the collapse of Mycenae, many Greeks migrated. A loss of cultural and written works took place.
  • Founding of Sparta (c. 1100-750 BC): Sparta developed into a powerful military oligarchy, conquering neighboring regions and holding people as helots(slaves).
  • Homer writes the Iliad and Odyssey (c. 800-700 BC): Epic poems of the Trojan War and Odysseus' journey, regarded as authentic history.
  • Greek Colonization (c. 800-500 BC): Greek city-states populated areas like Spain, Sicily, Egypt, and Crimea, spreading their culture and trade
  • Reforms of Solon (594 BC): Crucial Athenian reforms canceled land debts and freed enslaved farmers.

Athenian Reforms and Developments

• Reforms of Solon (594 BC): Canceled land debts; freed enslaved farmers; enabled non-aristocrats to be politically active
• Pisistratus' Tyranny (560 BC): Aristocratic leader seized power and established tyrannical trade policies
• Cleisthenes' Reforms (508 BC): Expanded Athenian democracy; instituted the Assembly (with all male citizens) and the Council of Five Hundred (chosen by lot) for foreign affairs and finances.

The Polis

• The Polis: A City-state that was the center of Greek life including the city and the surrounding countryside
• Acropolis: Central hill where citizens gathered for political, social, and religious activities
• Agora: Open space below the acropolis used as a market and assembly place
• Citizens with rights: Adult men
• Citizens with no rights: Women and non-citizens

Spartan State

• Conquered neighboring states and enslaved their inhabitants (Helots) to control a population of laborers.
• Strong military focused on controlling the helots and the Peloponnese
• Discouraged foreign contact and travel, focusing on self-sufficiency.
• Lycurgan Reforms focused on establishing an oligarchy-government by a few.
• Total loyalty to the Spartan State was essential.

Greek Warfare

• Hoplites: Heavily armed infantrymen who carried round shields, swords, and spears
• Phalanx: Rectangular battle formation used to engage enemies head-on
• Triremes: Warships which featured three banks of oars

The Persian Wars

• Ionian Revolt (499-494 BC): Ionians revolted against Persian rule with support from Athens and Eretria.
• The First Persian Invasion (492-490 BC): Persian attempts to conquer Greece, including the Battle of Marathon.
• The Second Persian Invasion (480-479 BC): Persian attempts to conquer the Greece, featuring the Battles of Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea.

The Golden Age of Athens

• Major political figures include Pericles
• Artistic development of the Parthenon and flourishing of philosophy, arts and drama

The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC)

• Rival city-states (Athens and Sparta) fought over control of Greece.
• Major causes included conflict over power (the Athenian Empire) and Athens' influence as a powerful naval power.
• Phases included the Archidamian War, the Sicilian Expedition, and the Decelean War
• The plague in Athens and the Athenian fleet's destruction at Aegospotami contributed to the war's conclusion, ending the Golden Age
• Sparta's victory ultimately weakened all Greek city-states

The Rise of Macedonia (338-323 BC)

• Philip II of Macedonia invaded Greece and unified Greek forces under Macedonian leadership
• Philip II’s assassination allowed his son, Alexander the Great, to take control and expand the Macedonian empire throughout the Persian Empire, until Egypt and parts of India were under Macedonian rule.
• Alexander the Great’s influence led to a period of cultural fusion known as the Hellenistic Era.

The Hellenistic Era

• Era characterized by the spread of Greek culture and ideas throughout Alexander the Great's vast empire in the Hellenistic Kingdoms.

Other Information (Additional details):

• Significant figures in Athenian history, like Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles
• Overview of the differences between Athens and Sparta in political and social structures.
• Key battles: Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea, Aegospotami, and Chaeronea.
• Overview of military practices and strategies
• The development of democratic institutions in Athens.
• Role of art (Parthenon).
• Important philosophers in this era (Socrates, for example).

Test your knowledge on key events and figures of the Ancient Greek wars, including the Battle of Marathon and Thermopylae. Discover how military strategies, reforms, and the birth of democracy influenced the course of history. Dive into the fascinating world of classical Greece!