Ancient Greece Handout - LT-2

**ANCIENT GREECE:** **\ Geographic Setting** - The Greek mainland was made up of rough mountains that represented 2/3 of the entire land area. Barely 1/5 of the land was arable. - It also had narrow valleys and no navigable rivers. - These unique physical features also impinged on the...

**ANCIENT GREECE:** **\ Geographic Setting** - The Greek mainland was made up of rough mountains that represented 2/3 of the entire land area. Barely 1/5 of the land was arable. - It also had narrow valleys and no navigable rivers. - These unique physical features also impinged on the character of Greek Life. - Greece is in Southeastern Europe. It is bounded in the north by Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, in the Northwest by Albania, and in the northeast by Turkey - The physical features of Greece directly influenced the nature and character of the people and the civilization that they developed. **Aegean Civilizations** ***Minoan Civilization*** - The Minoan civilization existed on the island of Crete in the Aegean Sea during the Bronze Age. - Known for their advanced art, architecture, and maritime trade. - the Minoans are often associated with the myth of the Minotaur and the labyrinth. - Their capital city was Knossos, and they left behind vibrant frescoes and an undeciphered writing system called Linear A. ***Mycenaean Civilization*** - The Mycenaean civilization emerged on the Greek mainland around 1600 BCE and thrived during the late Bronze Age - Known for their powerful warrior elite, monumental architecture (such as the famous Lion Gate), and involvement in the Trojan War (as described in Homer\'s epics), - the Mycenaeans also used a script known as Linear B, which has been deciphered and is an early form of Greek. - The Mycenaean civilization eventually declined, leading to the Greek Dark Ages. ***Dark Ages*** - This era followed the collapse of Mycenaean civilization and saw a decline in population, disruption of trade, and a loss of writing systems. - It was a time of cultural and economic regression, marking the transition from the Mycenaean period to the rise of the city-states and the Greek Archaic period. **HOMER** - a blind poet who spread Greek literature during the latter years of the Dark age - ILIAD - a story about a 10 year Trojan war led by King Agamemnon and the Greek warrior Achilles - ODYSSEY - story about Odysseus to Greece after the fall of Troy ***Classical Period*** - The Classical Period of Ancient Greece is a crucial and influential era that roughly spans from the end of the Persian Wars in 479 BCE to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE. - **POLIS** - A Greek City-State is known as a polis. Each was different but all has an Acropolis and an Agora. - **ACROPOLIS** - is a high, fortified area in the center of an ancient Greek city, typically featuring important buildings and temples. - **AGORA** - a central public space, often a marketplace or gathering area, where various aspects of civic life took place. - **POLIS RELATIONSHIPS** - The Greek City-States often quarelled, but rarely conquered each other. Most were involved in alliances with each other. **Religion** - Greek mythology has been an important source of fascination and interest about the Greeks and their belief system in terms of their relationship with their gods. - The Greek religion was polytheistic with twelve (12) principal gods known as the OLYMPIAN GODS. - Zeus - father of the gods; sky god; lord of justice and universal order - Hera - goddess of marriage; wife of Zeus - Poseidon - god of the sea - Athena - goddess of wisdom; handicraft - Apollo - god of reason and intellect, medicine and music - Aphrodite - goddess of love and beauty - Dionysus - god/goddess of wine - Artemis - goddess of chastity, the Moon and the hunt - Demeter - goddess of agriculture - Hermes - messenger of the gods - Hephaestus - god of fire and metal craft - Ares - god of war - The Greeks also recognized another group of gods called **CHTHONIANS** -from the Greek word CHTHON \-\-- meaning EARTH - **CHTHONIANS** believed to be the deities of the earth and the Underworld - **Hades -** god of the underworld - **Persephone -** goddess of the underworld and the queen of the dead - Hades and Persephone were the rulers of the Underworld. - Underworld was guarded by a three-headed dog called CERBERUS - - This era was marked by the flourishing of Greek philosophy. - **Socrates** (469--399 BCE) was the teacher of Plato. He is known for the Socratic method, a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. - **Plato** (428/427--348/347 BCE) was a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle. He founded the Academy in Athens, one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the Western world. - **Aristotle** (384--322 BCE) was a student of Plato and went on to become the teacher of Alexander the Great. He established his own school, the Lyceum. - 1. **Political Philosophy:** The concept of democracy originated in Athens, where citizens participated in decision-making. 2. **Drama and Theater:** Greek tragedy and comedy, as exemplified by playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes, have had a lasting influence on literature and performing arts. 3. **Literature**: Epic poetry, including Homer\'s \"Iliad\" and \"Odyssey,\" set the standard for narrative storytelling. 4. **Mathematics** a. The Pythagorean theorem, named after the mathematician Pythagoras, is a fundamental principle in geometry. b. Euclid\'s \"Elements\" became a foundational work in mathematics 5. **Science and Medicine** c. Hippocrates is often called the \"Father of Medicine\" for his contributions to medical ethics and establishing the Hippocratic Oath. d. The Greeks also made astronomical advancements, with figures like Aristarchus and Ptolemy. 6. **Art and Architecture:** Classical Greek art and architecture, exemplified by the Parthenon on the Acropolis, emphasized balance, harmony, and proportion. Sculptors like Phidias and Praxiteles produced iconic works. 7. **Olympic Games**: The ancient Olympic Games, held in Olympia, Greece, were a major sporting and cultural event. They fostered a sense of unity among Greek city-states and inspired the modern Olympic Games. 8. **History**: Herodotus, often called the \"Father of History,\" wrote \"Histories,\" providing an account of the Greco-Persian Wars. Thucydides contributed to the genre with his \"History of the Peloponnesian War.\" - **ANCIENT ROME:** **Etymology:** - **The name \"Rome\" is traditionally believed to have come from its legendary founder, Romulus, who, according to myth, established the city after slaying his twin brother Remus.** - **The term "Rome" in Latin is Roma, and the people were referred to as Romani. The origin of the word Roma is debated, with theories suggesting it may derive from the Greek word for strength (rhōmē) or from the name of an early tribe (Rumon), possibly linked to the Tiber River.** **Geographic Setting:** - - **Italy, a peninsula extending into the Mediterranean Sea.** - **The natural harbors, rivers, and fertile land supported agriculture and trade, allowing Rome to grow as a powerful center of commerce and military influence.** **Roman Civilizations:** ** ** Early Rome (753 BCE -- 509 BCE): Romulus and Remus, sons of Rhea Silvia and the god Mars, were grandsons of Numitor, the rightful king of Alba Longa. After Numitor\'s brother Amulius usurped the throne, he ordered the twins to be abandoned by the Tiber River to prevent them from challenging his rule. Romulus and Remus, saved by a she-wolf and raised by a shepherd, later learned of their royal origins. They overthrew Amulius, restoring their grandfather Numitor to the throne. After a dispute, Romulus killed Remus and founded Rome in 753 BCE, becoming its first king. The myth highlights Rome\'s themes of struggle, destiny, and divine favor. - Rome was established as a monarchy. Early kings were Etruscan; they introduced advanced engineering (e.g., sewage systems), and religious rituals. Rome became a republic in 509 BCE after overthrowing the last Etruscan king, Tarquin the Proud. **Roman Republic (509 BCE -- 27 BCE):** A system of checks and balances; power shared between the Senate, consuls, and popular assemblies. - Consuls: Two are elected annually to lead the government and army. - Senate: Advisory council, influential in policy decisions. - Tribunes: Representatives of the plebeians (common people) **Social Classes in Roman Republic:** - Patricians: Wealthy, land-owning elite who dominated politics. - Plebeians: Commoners, who struggled for more rights over time. **Expansion of the Republic:** - Conquest of Italy: Unified the Italian peninsula. - Punic Wars: Fought against Carthage (264-146 BCE); Rome emerged as the dominant power in the Mediterranean. **Rise of the Roman Empire:** - The Roman Empire began in 27 BCE when Augustus, Julius Caesar\'s adopted heir, rose to power after civil wars following Caesar\'s assassination in 44 BCE. - Augustus transformed the Roman Republic into an empire, becoming its first emperor and initiating the Pax Romana, a period of peace and stability that lasted for 200 years. - - **Augustus (27 BCE -- 14 CE)**, the first emperor, consolidated his power after civil wars and brought stability to Rome. He reformed the army, strengthened institutions, and laid the foundation for the Pax Romana, a long period of peace and prosperity. - **Trajan (98--117 CE)** led the empire to its greatest territorial extent, expanding Roman control to new regions, including Dacia (modern-day Romania) and parts of the Middle East. His military success and public works projects, like roads and monuments, left a lasting impact. - **Marcus Aurelius**, a Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor (161--180 CE), is renowned for Meditations and his steadfast, virtuous leadership in defending and stabilizing the empire amid invasions and plagues. - **Constantine (306--337 CE)** made transformative changes, most notably legalizing Christianity through the Edict of Milan in 313 CE. He also moved the empire\'s capital from Rome to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople, which shifted the empire's center of power eastward and helped preserve its legacy. **Fall of the Western Roman Empire:** - During the Crisis of the Third Century (235--284 CE), the Roman Empire faced severe economic decline, internal political turmoil, and constant military threats from both internal usurpers and external invasions. These crises weakened the empire, leading to instability and setting the stage for later reforms and the eventual division between the Western and Eastern Empires. - The fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE was the result of a combination of internal weaknesses and external pressures: - **Barbarian Invasions:** In the 4th century, the Germanic tribes Visigoths and Vandals invaded Roman territories. The Visigoths sacked Rome in 410 CE under King Alaric, and the Vandals plundered it in 455 CE, further weakening Roman authority and hastening the empire\'s collapse. - **Economic Troubles:** The Western Roman Empire suffered from heavy taxation, inflation, over-reliance on slave labor, and declining agricultural productivity, which, along with the costly military, led to economic instability and contributed to the empire\'s collapse. - **Division of the Empire:** In 395 CE, Emperor Theodosius I divided the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western halves. The wealthier Eastern Empire, with Constantinople as its capital, remained strong and became the Byzantine Empire, while the Western Empire was more vulnerable to invasions and decline. - **The Final Blow:** The final blow came in 476 CE when the Germanic chieftain Odoacer deposed the last Roman emperor of the West, Romulus Augustulus, marking the official end of the Western Roman Empire. While the Western Empire fell, the Eastern Roman Empire continued to flourish for nearly a millennium, preserving Roman traditions and evolving into the Byzantine Empire **Religion:** - Was polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods like Jupiter (the sky god and king of the gods), Mars (the god of war), and Venus (the goddess of love). Romans believed these deities influenced various aspects of life and sought their favor through rituals and offerings. - **Christianity** emerged in the 1st century CE, based on Jesus\' teachings, and faced early persecution in Rome. This changed with Constantine\'s conversion in the early 4th century, culminating in the Edict of Milan in 313 CE, which legalized the religion. - By the end of the 4th century, under Emperor Theodosius I, Christianity became the official state religion of the Roman Empire, leading to the gradual decline of traditional Roman polytheism. This marked a profound shift in the religious landscape, shaping the future of European civilization. **Philosophy and Major Contribution:** **Law and Government:** - Roman Law: Established principles of justice, property rights, and contracts that form the foundation of modern legal systems. - Republican Ideals: Influenced contemporary democratic systems with concepts like separation of powers and checks and balances. **Engineering and Architecture:** - Aqueducts: Ingenious structures that transported water into cities, improving public health and sanitation. - Roads: Extensive network facilitating trade and military logistics across the empire. - Monumental Structures: Iconic buildings like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Roman Forum showcased Roman engineering and culture. **Language and Literature:** - Latin: The root of Romance languages (e.g., Italian, French, Spanish). - Literary Figures: Notable authors such as Virgil (Aeneid), Ovid (Metamorphoses), and Cicero (philosophical and rhetorical works) contributed to Roman literature. **Science and Medicine:** - Galen: Influential Greek physician whose medical theories shaped Western medicine for centuries. - Engineering Advances: Innovations in concrete, arches, and domes transformed architectural practices. **Roman Army and Warfare:** - Legions: Formed the backbone of the military, comprising highly disciplined professional soldiers. - Tactics and Technology: Superior strategies, advanced armor, and siege techniques led to Roman military successes. **Roman Legacy:** - The Roman Empire significantly influenced Western civilization through its legal principles, architectural innovations, Latin language, and governance systems. Roman law established key concepts like the presumption of innocence, while architectural advancements influenced structures such as the Colosseum. - Latin evolved into the Romance languages and remains important in legal and scientific terminology. Moreover, the Republic\'s ideas of representative government and separation of powers continue to shape modern democracy, highlighting Rome\'s lasting impact on society. **THE CRUSADES** - - - **Geographic Setting** - - - - **Historical Background:** - 1. **First Crusade (1096--1099):** - The First Crusade was marked by a series of challenging campaigns that culminated in the capture of Jerusalem in 1099. - Crusader forces, largely composed of Western European knights and foot soldiers, managed to take the city after brutal fighting. - Their success established several Crusader states, including the Kingdom of Jerusalem, marking a rare victory and solidifying European presence in the Levant. - However, this success set the stage for enduring conflict with Muslim rulers in the region, leading to periodic attempts to reclaim the lost territories. **Impacts of the Crusades:** 1. **Increased Trade and Cultural Exchange:** - Contact between European Crusaders and Middle Eastern societies introduced Europeans to new goods, ideas, and technologies. - Luxuries like spices, silks, perfumes, and other exotic items became highly desired in Europe, leading to increased trade routes and economic relationships between Europe and the Middle East. - The Crusades also facilitated the exchange of knowledge, including advancements in medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and navigation that profoundly influenced European intellectual life and spurred the later Renaissance. 2. **Religious and Cultural Tensions:** - The Crusades left a legacy of tension between Christian and Muslim regions that persisted long after the campaigns ended. - In the Muslim world, the Crusades were remembered as invasions by Western powers, fueling historical distrust that echoed in later centuries of interaction. - Similarly, in Europe, the Crusades fostered an intense perception of Islam as a rival to Christianity, a view that influenced Western attitudes toward the Islamic world for centuries. - This period also saw heightened religious zeal and intolerance within Europe itself, leading to persecution of Jews, heretics, and other minority groups. 3. **Decline of the Byzantine Empire:** - The Crusades, especially the Fourth Crusade, significantly weakened the Byzantine Empire. - When Crusaders sacked Constantinople in 1204, they not only fractured the relationship between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches but also dealt a severe economic and military blow to Byzantium. - This event left the Byzantine Empire weakened, setting the stage for its eventual conquest by the Ottoman Empire in 1453, a loss that changed the balance of power in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. 4. **Political Shifts in Europe and the Middle East:** - The Crusades altered political dynamics in both regions. In Europe, the departure of many nobles and knights for the Crusades contributed to the centralization of royal power, as kings and monarchies gained greater control. - The Crusades also helped consolidate papal influence over European monarchs, as the pope assumed a role as a leader of Christendom. - In the Middle East, the Crusades fostered the rise of powerful Muslim leaders, like Saladin and later the Mamluks, who played critical roles in uniting Muslim territories and establishing stronger defensive networks. **Legacy of the Crusades:** - The Crusades left a complex and multifaceted legacy. For Western and Middle Eastern societies, they shaped religious and political attitudes that affected relationships for centuries. - Culturally, the Crusades inspired a wealth of literature, art, and historical interpretation capturing imaginations and stirring debate. - Chivalric romance novels, religious art, and epic tales about crusading heroes and saints kept the memory of the Crusades alive in European culture. - Meanwhile, historians and theologians debated the Crusades\' moral and spiritual implications, fueling ongoing reflection on this pivotal era. - This legacy also extends to modern historical and cultural dialogues, where the Crusades remain a reference point for discussing cross-cultural conflict, cooperation, and the long-term impact of religiously motivated warfare.