IMG_4382.jpeg

# Ancient Greek Civilization Ancient Greek civilization was centered in the Aegean Sea region, including the Greek Peninsula, the Aegean Islands, Crete, and the western coastal regions of Asia Minor. The landscape was mountainous, making transportation difficult, resulting in numerous independent...

# Ancient Greek Civilization Ancient Greek civilization was centered in the Aegean Sea region, including the Greek Peninsula, the Aegean Islands, Crete, and the western coastal regions of Asia Minor. The landscape was mountainous, making transportation difficult, resulting in numerous independent city-states. ## City-States: Athens and Sparta From 800 BC to 600 BC, there were over 200 city-states in Greece, each with unique cultures, political systems, and laws. **Athens:** * **Location:** Southern coast of the Greek Peninsula * **Politics:** Democracy—all citizens could participate in governance. The Assembly, composed of all citizens, held the highest authority. * **Education:** People valued education, with children sent to school at a young age. * **Characteristics:** * Birthplace of democracy * First to practice democracy in the world * Possessed the strongest navy in the Mediterranean Sea * One of the wealthiest city-states in Greece * Built many temples and open-air theaters **Sparta:** * **Location:** Mountain area of southern Greek Peninsula * **Politics:** Oligarchy – only a small group of citizens held the highest authority. * **Education:** Children were sent to army-training barracks at a young age. * **Characteristics:** * Strong emphasis on military training * Strong army * All citizens received rigorous military training * Known for its skilled soldiers and athleticism ## Alexander the Great The Macedonian king Alexander the Great expanded the Greek empire by conquering large swathes of Europe, Asia and Africa, spreading Greek culture throughout these areas. ## Ancient Roman Civilization From the 3rd century BC, Romans began to invade Greece. By 146 BC, Roman influence dominated the region, marking the decline of ancient Greek civilization. * **Location:** Central Italy * **Early Romans:** A tribe called the Latins settled in central Italy in 753 BC. They formed villages along the Tiber River and eventually united to create the city of Rome. * **Period:** The history of Rome is typically divided into the Roman Kingdom (753 BC - 509 BC), the Roman Republic (509 BC - 27 BC), and the Roman Empire (27 BC - 476 AD).