Unit 5 Ancient Greece Study Guide PDF

Study Guide​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 1 Unit 5 Ancient Greece Study Sheet “The best way to know yourself is to study history” Terms to know (all of these terms show up again below in their...

Study Guide​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 1 Unit 5 Ancient Greece Study Sheet “The best way to know yourself is to study history” Terms to know (all of these terms show up again below in their section descriptions) -​ Balkan peninsula -​ The Second Persian -​ Sparta -​ Peloponnese War, the Battle of -​ Plague -​ Islands in the Ionian Thermopylae -​ Thucydides and Aegean seas -​ Xerxes I, Leonidas I -​ Pericles Funeral -​ Asia Minor -​ Delian League Oration -​ Minoan Civilization -​ Pericles, The Age of -​ Macedonia -​ Mycenaean Civilization Pericles, The Golden -​ King Philip II -​ Greek Dark Ages Age of Athens, High -​ Phalanx, hoplite, -​ Homer Classical Athens sarissa, Companion -​ Polis -​ High Classical Greek Cavalry -​ Cultural heritage Art -​ League of Corinth -​ The Greek Pantheon -​ Parthenon, Acropolis, -​ Alexander the Great -​ You are required to Parthenon Frieze -​ Hellespont, Dardanelles know one god and one -​ Naturalism Strait hero -​ Doryphoros, by -​ Battle of Granicus -​ Agora Polykleitos -​ Satrap, satrapy -​ Athenian Democracy, -​ Column, stylobate, -​ King Darius III direct democracy capital, architrave, -​ Battle of Issus -​ Citizen frieze, cornice, -​ Battle of Gaugamela -​ The Greco-Persian pedimental statue, -​ Mutiny Wars entablature -​ Hellenistic period, -​ Persian Empire, -​ You are required to Hellenism Achaemenid Empire know one philosopher -​ Metropolitan cities, -​ Cyrus the Great -​ The Peloponnesian War cosmopolitans -​ The First Persian War, -​ The Peloponnesian -​ Eclectic the Battle of Marathon League -​ Melodrama Questions to ask yaself ya big shots. Please remember: As young historians, each of the questions below can be addressed either by identifying specific facts which we’ve studied that point to broader ideas, or by analyzing the details of general circumstances to draw plausible, historically grounded conclusions. This is what historians do (or, at least, one version of it). -​ What conclusions can we draw, or implications can we infer, about Ancient Greece given their intractable geographic features? -​ What continuity do you recognize from Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations to the Classical and Hellenistic Greek world? -​ How did the cultural memory of the Dark Ages animate later political and social thinking in Ancient Greece? Study Guide​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2 -​ Why is it useful to study the Greek gods and heroes to understand Greek history? Why is it important to study the Greek gods and heroes to understand your world? That’s right: I mean today, I mean the world you live in today. -​ How do the Greco-Persian Wars exhibit a shared Greek cultural heritage? How did the Greco-Persian Wars change Athens? -​ What were the principles of High Classical Athens? What I mean is what did it stand for, and what did it promote? -​ In what ways did High Classical Athens establish the culture of Western civilization? -​ How did Athenian democracy promote and limit Athenian civic life? -​ Who was Pericles, why is he remembered? -​ What happened to Greece during the Peloponnesian Wars? What happened to Athens during the Peloponnesian Wars? -​ Who is King Philip II and how did he change the game? -​ How does Alexander’s early life teach us, and anticipate, something about Alexander as the campaigning king? -​ What are Alexander’s three great battles? What do those details tell us about him as a leader? And here’s the good one: How are those stories relevant to the world today? -​ Alexander believed politics was downstream from culture, what does that mean? -​ What does Alexander the Great teach us about leadership, and the legacy of leadership, in the West? -​ What is the Hellenistic world, what characterizes it? Geography and Greece up through the Dark Ages (~3000-800 BC) →Greek geography need to know: Peloponnese to the west, Islands are east, all part of the Balkan peninsula and around the Ionian and Aegean Seas (and, duh, the Mediterranean) and just west of Asia Minor. →Minoan Civilization (~3000-1200 BC) -​ Minos was the legendary king. The Minotaur the legendary monster. The great story is of Theseus and Ariadne and Daedelus and Icarus. -​ Knossos was the capital city, referred to as the City of Gold. →Mycenaean Civilization (1600-1100 BC) -​ Palatial society ruled by Warrior-Kings. -​ This is hypothetically the era of Odysseus and Agememnon and the Homeric legends. No, we do not have any evidence to believe these were actual people who lived; yes, we do have reasons to believe these stories tell us something about the world during the Mycenaean era. -​ Sometime between 1400-1200 BC, the Mycenaeans fight the Hittities in Anatolia, and scholars believe this battle was later transformed and understood as the Trojan War. Study Guide​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 3 →Dark Ages (1100-800 BC) -​ Dark Age implies no surplus, specialization of labor, or institutions to help govern society. -​ The legendary blind poet Homer lived during this era. More likely, the Homeric poets were people that traveled around the Greek world sharing these stories in exchange for food and shelter. →Stable, organized society reemerges in the Greek world around 800 BC. -​ Polis is the Greek word for city-state. The major city-states, like Athens and Sparta, were in political control of small regions. -​ The different city-states had no political relationship, and yet they were united by a cultural heritage, meaning inherited values and ways of being in the world. The Greek Pantheon, their Heroes, and Athenian Democracy ​ →The Greek Pantheon and Heroes For the test, you must be able to discuss one of the Greek gods or heroes. You need not discuss one of the gods or heroes we addressed in class, but that would probably be easier? -​ The Greek Pantheon refers to the twelve main gods, or Olympians, who live on Mount Olympus, which is a literal mountain. ​ →Athenian culture develops -​ The agora–or the town square–is where Greek cultural life happened. -​ Some nerd named Jurgen Habermas claimed that public identity first emerged in the agora, which means that people behave differently in public, around friends and community members, than they do in private, with family. -​ Athenian Democracy was formed in 508 BC. -​ It is a form of direct democracy, meaning majority rules. -​ Every citizen had the right to take part in the Assembly, where the citizens met 40 times a year to vote on laws and administer justice. What does it mean to be an Athenian citizen? You have to learn Athenian poems, read Athenian history, sing Athenian songs, study Athenian values and inherit those values yourself. Only men–and yes, only men were allowed, so lame–who learned how to be an Athenian got to be an Athenian citizen. The Greco-Persian Wars (490 and 480 BC) →The Persian Empire/Achaemenid Empire was the largest empire in the world–with control over the Nile, Tigris, Euphrate, and Indus Rivers–when Greece reemerged as a civilization. Something like 40% of the world’s population was part of the Empire. →The First Persian War (490 BC) -​ Greek colonies in Persian territory fought for independence. Persia got mad and decided they wanted to conquer all of Greece. Study Guide​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 4 -​ A giant Persian army lands in Marathon, part of Attica, the region Athens is in charge of. -​ The Athenians sneak attack the Persians and defeat them. Thousands of Persians die and only 192 Athenians die. Everything has to be invented, which is another way to say there’s a first to everything. Some nerds claim that the First Persian War, and specifically the Battle at Marathon, was the first time a group of people fought for something they believed in. What does that mean? A group of people are not told to do something, or forced to do something, but share a value that is important enough to die for. ​ →The Second Persian War (480 BC) -​ The Persians were pushed back across the Aegean Sea. 10-years later, in 480 BC, Xerex I led an army of 300,000 up around the Aegean and then down the Balkan Peninsula to again attack the Greek world. -​ Under the generalship of Leonidas I, a small Spartan army of 7,000 soldiers held back the Persian forces for one week at the Pass at Thermopylae. This is the famous Last Stand. -​ The Athenians were able to flee their city–and the Persians raised it–to set up their navy and eventually defeat the Persians at the Battle at Salamis. The Battle at Thermopylae is considered the Greek Last Stand because a group of soldiers sacrificed themselves for something more important than them. This idea, to believe that an idea is more important than your life–and in this case that idea is Greek culture and values–is so central to politics today, and here it enters the world stage. High Classical Greece (~450 BC) ​ →Athenian Confidence -​ Coming off their victory over the Persians, the Athenians thought they were the big shots of the whole world. -​ In 477, the Athenians forced other city-states around the Ionian Islands to join the Delian League and provide funds for a treasury that would be used in case the Persians attacked again. -​ In 454, the Athenians decided to use that money from the Delian League to make Athens the cultural center of the world. This era is referred to as High Classical Athens. We generally date this era at around 450 BC. Do any of you have a friend who thinks they’re just the best thing that ever graced the earth? That’s kinda annoying, right? But it’s also…kinda awesome? Kinda fun to be around? That’s High Athenian confidence. ​ →Pericles and High Classical Greek Art -​ The man who was behind High Classical Athens–he decided to use the money from the Delian League to make Athens the cultural center of the world–is named Pericles, which is why the era is also called the Age of Pericles. The art from this era is referred to as High Classical Greek Art. Study Guide​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 5 -​ The biggest project part of High Classical Athens was rebuilding the acropolis, which the Persians had destroyed during the Second Persian War. -​ Acro means high, polis means city. It’s the highest point of any Greek city, where all the major cultural and political events take place. -​ The most important, biggest, and most marvelous building on the acropolis is the Parthenon, dedicated to Athena Parthenos. It is a celebration of Athenian life and culture. -​ The Parthenon ionic Frieze is a narrative band exhibiting Athenian citizens celebrating their culture and history. -​ High Classical Greek Art is the first world culture to develop art that intends to reflect the natural world. This is referred to as naturalism. -​ Doryphoros, by Polykleitos, dated to 450 BC, is the preeminent example of High Classical, naturalistic Greek art. Think about an artwork you love *I’ll wait* now guess what big shot? The fundamental values of that artform were established in Pericles High Classical Athens. What art is trying to do, what it is interested in, was first established in 5th century Athens. -​ In the agora in the 5th century, Western philosophy commenced. They, too, are trying to understand the natural world. For the test, you must be able to discuss one of the Greek philosophers. You need not discuss one of the gods or heroes we addressed in class, but that would probably be easier? The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) ​ →Why war? -​ Following the construction of the acropolis and the victory of the Persians, Athens thought they were the big shot (the term for this is Athenian confidence). -​ Under the leadership of the Spartans, many city-states in the west joined forces to start their own league to face the Delian League in the east. They called it the Peloponnesian League. -​ The Peloponnesian League was sick of Athens being a big shot, but also was nervous about the popularity of demos kratos. ​ →The War and the plague -​ Athens was ahead for the first ten years of the war, because they had a great navy, but then Sparta, and their great land army, dominated. -​ When Sparta attacked the city-state of Athens, Pericles had all the population enter the city walls. At this time, a terrible plague broke out in the region. It was terrible. You all know something about plague, don’t ya? Well this plague caused boils, headaches, mania. Can you imagine what that would do to Athenian confidence? And can you imagine how it may have incited Archaic Anxiety? Study Guide​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 6 -​ All the nice people died, nobody followed the rules, everyone was self-interested. The Athenians were losing the societal structures that allowed for the functioning of civilization (the fancy term for this is Archaic anxiety). -​ In 404, Athens surrends. They lost demos kratos. At the end of the Peloponnesian War, Sparta chose not to destroy the city of Athens. They had a thirty year war, Athens was suuuch a jerk, and they had their shot, and their buddies wanted them to do it! But they didn’t. That tells us something very important. →Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War -​ Both a primary and secondary source: He was there and is recounting the events, and he is interpreting the events. -​ Pericles Funeral Oration, is a speech by Pericles celebrating Athenian culture. -​ The text is the oldest extant chronology, and so Thucydides is often cited as the first historian in the West. Macedonian Hegemony (Mid 4th century) →In the 4th century, King Philip II took over Macedon and dramatically expanded its territory and influence. How? Great army. -​ The greek infantry is organized in a phalanx: a tightly packed formation of hoplite soldiers who would march together and attack the opposition front. -​ In Philip's army the phalanx used 18 foot pikes called sarissa. A hoplite is a foot soldier. -​ Philip introduced the first shock cavalry, meaning cavalry exclusively used for offense, in Europe. They were called the Companion Cavalry, and they would attack from the flanks. Let’s quickly review what is war in the West. Two lines face each other (any of y’all watch American football?) and they ram into each other. The cavalry, meaning soldiers on horses, mix up the strategy, and the variety of armament is endless. It is loud, smelly, hot as all hell, and often takes forever. Imagine being a foot soldier–a Greek hoplite–being marched around the battlefield like a pawn, no idea what’s going on. Alexander’s Campaign (336-323 BC) ​ →Alexander preamble -​ Alexander was 20 when he became king. Many stories exist that describe and characterize his early rule. -​ He was tutored by the greatest teacher ever, Aristotle. He tamed the wild horse, Bucephalus. He was mocked by Diogenes, but thought it was cool. He kept a copy of the Iliad under his pillow. Remember my young favorite people in the world: We use facts, stories, events, and we think about them, and we wonder, and we go, HMM, how weird, how cool, how different, HMM, I never thought of something like that, I never heard of something like, I never Study Guide​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 7 imagined people did things like that, and then we think about what it means. That’s called being a historian. -​ In 335, he razed Thebes at the Battle of Thebes, and all of Greece bent the knee. →Battle of Granicus -​ In 336, with 35-40 thousand soldiers, Alexander’s 10-year Persian Campaigns began. -​ What separated the Greek from the Persian world was the Hellespont, also known as the Dardanelle Strait. -​ The first battle, the Battle of Granicus. Alexander’s style: Hit first, hit fast, keep going. He attacked before dawn, no one does that. At one point a satrap, meaning government of a satrapy, had a clean shot at Alex but hit mate Cleitus saved him. -​ After the Companions made a huge mess of things, the phalanx crossed Granicus and overwhelmed the Persians. -​ The Persians retreat, and Alex continues to attack. Apparently he took out multiple retreating battalions. -​ Within 18 months, Alex controls Western Asia Minor. During that time we get the story of the Gordian Knot. ​ →Battle of Issus -​ In 333, Alexander met the King of Kings, Darius III, at the Battle of Issus. -​ The Achaemenid forces outnumbered the Macedonians 2-1. When the battle began the Persian line pushed the phalanx back! -​ To reorganize his troops, King Alexander charged straight into the middle of the battle field, and straight for Darius. -​ Legend has it that Darius turned and ran. Alex then chased Darius for 25 miles. BTW: Alexander captured Darius’ Royal Family, and treated them like royalty. -​ Alex then marched into Egypt and was crowned Pharaoh. He founded the city Alexander on the Nile. Darius offers Alex half the empire in exchange for peace. Alex refused. What is wrong with this mad man! What are his ends (meaning goals), why is he so doggedly obsessed with winning and conquering and being Alexander the Great? Does this man remind you of anyone you know? Does his actions seem relevant or modern in any way? Remember, everything has to be invented (except things from the natural world) including personality types, priorities, approaches to being alive. What kind of person is Alexander, and how is that person the first version of a kind of person that is alive and shaping the world today? ​ →Battle of Gaugamela -​ In 331, the final great battle of the campaign, on the fields of Gaugamela. -​ The League of Corinth was outnumbered 3-1, thus outflanking was ensured. Nevertheless, Alex played wild mind games to toy with his opponents. -​ The strategy: Angle the wings inwards, then attack the center. Long story short it worked, what a stud. Alex did it. Study Guide​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 8 →The Campaign continues -​ Alex would go on to take all the major cities in the heart of the Persian Empire. The Acahamenid’s put up their own Last Stand before the Perisan Gates at Persepolis, but Alex broke through and, in 330, razed it to the ground. -​ In 329 Alex founded Alexandria Eschate, meaning furthest. He founded a dozen cities, almost all bearing his name. -​ In 326 Alex and his men approached the Indus Valley and, with the prospect of a whole new campaign, his men mutinied, and they turned towards home. -​ Alex believed politics was downstream from culture. -​ He forced the Greeks to mix and intermingle with the local elite. He would often take on their customs and adopt their culture. -​ Alex was extremely image conscious, he wanted to be seen a certain way. -​ All his conquered peoples were forced to accept each other's currency, he demanded they all spoke Greek, they had similar administrative services, and so on. -​ In 323, at just 32 years old, Alex got a fever and died. Who is Alexander the Great? You know, in Iran, they call him Alexander the Conqueror? Clearly unbelievably accomplished, but which details are more meaningful to you, and why? Is he Great because he won a lot, or because he changed the face of the world? How have his actions and achievements shaped the world we live in today? Hellenism (323-31 BC) →The Great Alexander is dead, now what? -​ Alex’s generals fight for control of the Empire. When the Diadochi Wars begin the Hellenistic Period, and Hellenism, begins. Helles means Greek. Four generals split up the empire. -​ The hellenistic world is made up of metropolitan cities, filled with cosmopolitan people: Big cities and people with eclectic tastes and backgrounds. -​ The art of the Hellenistic period is melodramatic, to get the attention of all the distracted people, sound familiar? I think, for the first time, the world looks somewhat familiar. Hellenism is the first age in world history when loads of cultures lived and mingled and affected one another every single day. What does this mean for the young historian–that’s you–and how does it change the way you approach historical research, evidence, and analysis?