Lecture 5: Greek Bronze Age and Civilization

The wealthiest of the Mycenaeans were buried with lavish goods, highlighting their obsession with displays of wealth and societal hierarchy.

Massive underground tombs known as "tholos tombs" were built to impress surrounding communities and demonstrate the power of the Mycenaean elite.

The Mycenaeans were known for their highly competitive society, with a strong emphasis on status and titles like 'wanax' and 'basileus.'

The Mycenaeans were skilled warriors and hunters, evident in their depictions of violent struggles in their art.

The Mycenaean civilization flourished for centuries, demonstrating prosperity and population growth.

Around 1200 BC, the Mycenaean civilization collapsed, marked by the destruction of palaces and the decline of their power.

The collapse of the Mycenaean civilization is attributed to attacks by foreign invaders, possibly Dorian Greeks, though their identity remains uncertain.

The Mycenaean civilization shares similarities with the collapse of other ancient empires around the same time, highlighting a period of widespread upheaval.

The Mycenaean civilization was a Bronze Age civilization that emerged in mainland Greece around 1650 BC, known for its fortified palaces and dominance over the Minoan civilization on Crete.

Mycenaean palaces were located in strategic locations, usually on hills with defensive walls, offering protection and control over surrounding areas.

The Mycenaeans, who were Greek, conquered the Minoan civilization around 1450 BC, taking control of the island of Crete. This takeover is evident in the shift from Linear A to Linear B script in Minoan palaces.

Linear B is a writing system used by the Mycenaeans. It was deciphered in the 1950s and revealed to be an early form of Greek.

Linear B documents provide detailed records of Mycenaean society, including lists of possessions, names of gods, and the roles of different individuals in the palace hierarchy.

The Mycenaeans had a hierarchical society with a king (wanax) at the top, followed by nobles (basileus), and a large number of slaves. This system was governed by a palace administration.

Mycenaean religion included many familiar Greek gods, such as Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Artemis, Hermes, and Dionysus. However, deities like Aphrodite and Apollo were not mentioned in Linear B records.

The Mycenaean civilization provides a link between the Greek myths, like the Trojan War, and the historical development of Greek civilization.

The period following the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization, marked by a decline in population, trade, and cultural development. It lasted from roughly 1200 to 776 B.C.

A city-state in ancient Greece, which was the basic unit of political organization. They were independent and self-governing, with a distinct territory, government, and culture.

A marketplace in an ancient Greek city, serving not only as a place for economic exchange but also as a center for social and political activity.

A fortified hilltop in an ancient Greek city, often containing a sanctuary dedicated to a patron deity. It served as a refuge for citizens during times of war.

The Classical Period in Greek history, marked by the cultural, philosophical, and artistic achievements of Athens and Sparta, lasting from 479 to 323 B.C.

A political system where power is concentrated in the hands of a small, elite group.

A type of government where power is held by a few, typically wealthy, privileged citizens.

The assembly was a body made up of all Spartan citizens where they could cast votes and give feedback on bills and other matters.

A council of elders in Sparta that was responsible for drafting legislation, determining bills and matters to be voted on by the Spartan Assembly.

An annual election of five Spartan magistrate positions with the power to veto decisions made by other bodies.

Two hereditary kings who served as generals in Sparta.

In Spartan society, those citizens that owned land and served in the military.

The gradual societal shift in Sparta towards a military-focused society.

The Spartan way of life focused solely on preparing for war, with citizens forbidden from commerce, agriculture, and other forms of labor. This strict military education, known as the agōgē, began at birth and continued throughout life, emphasizing physical fitness and discipline.

Spartan citizens were outnumbered by a vast population of helots, slaves who were primarily responsible for agricultural labor. This created an inherently unstable society prone to rebellions and the need for constant vigilance.

Athenian citizens acquired their citizenship peacefully, unlike the Spartans who conquered others. This led to a more diverse and economically varied society with greater social mobility.

Athenian society, unlike Sparta, experienced significant economic disparities. As a result, the poorest citizens risked becoming indebted to wealthy landowners, potentially leading to debt slavery.

Debt slavery occurred when Athenians, unable to repay their debts, would become enslaved to their creditors. Unlike chattel slavery, where individuals were owned as property, debt slavery was tied to payment obligations.

Spartan society was characterized by a system of equal land ownership among its citizens, emphasizing a sense of shared responsibility and preventing the emergence of vast wealth disparities.

Spartan women underwent rigorous physical training, emphasizing their role in producing strong, healthy offspring who could contribute to the Spartan military strength.

Solon, an Athenian statesman, sought to restore peace and balance in Athenian society by enacting a set of laws. These laws addressed the tensions between the wealthy and the poor, attempting to create a 'middle way' where both sides could live in harmony. This included establishing a system of political power based on wealth and ensuring basic rights for all citizens, even the landless.

Solon's lawmaking divided Athenian citizens into four classes based on their wealth, allowing movement between classes. This system differed from other Greek systems by including landless citizens in the lowest class, allowing those with little to no land to still be considered part of the community.

Solon's reforms aimed to strike a balance between the wealthy and the poor by ensuring that wealth corresponded with political influence. This meant that the ability to hold high political positions was tied to wealth, providing incentives for individuals to aspire to greater prosperity.

Solon's reforms aimed to grant rights to all citizens, regardless of their wealth. This included the right to participate in the Assembly, access judicial processes, and appeal rulings. This system was designed to ensure a sense of justice and equality for all.

Cleisthenes, another Athenian statesman, reorganized the political landscape of Athens by dividing citizens into demes (small communities) that were clustered together into trittyes (groups of demes). This system was designed to break down existing power structures and facilitate a more balanced political system.

Cleisthenes' genius lay in his ability to combine different trittyes (groups of communities) from different regions into ten tribes. This system ensured that citizens from diverse backgrounds were brought together in political units, promoting unity and breaking down regional divides.

By dividing Athenians into demes, trittyes, and tribes, Cleisthenes sought to create a more equitable political system. This reorganization aimed to reduce the influence of traditional aristocratic families and empower a larger segment of the population.

Cleisthenes' reforms aimed to move Athens towards a more democratic system by empowering citizens and breaking down existing power structures. His reforms represented a significant step in shaping the Athenian political system and contributed to the rise of democracy.