Classical Greece
The Origins of
our western
world
I. Introduction:
• Greece is located in the eastern
Mediterranian Sea.
• It is a rocky land with rolling hills,
small valleys, and Mediterranean
climate.
• It was easier for settlers to travel by
sea than land, thus most early
settlements were along the coast.
Agriculture
– grains, grapes, olives
Politically – settlements were
independent
Culturally – The Greeks were
unified through language,
festivals, religion
- Pan – Hellenic games (Olympics)
- Mount Olympia (Home of gods)
II. Origins of Greek Culture
Greece’s first civilization was the
Minoans who lived on the Island
of Crete. Between 3200 to 1500
B.C.E.
- They were named after the
mythical king Minas.
- Their largest settlement was the
Palace of Knossos.
Ruins from Crete
Minoan
art was
painted frescos
on wet plaster
wall. It Reflects
a peaceful
people with a
love for beauty &
life.
Bull leaping was probably a religious
event.
Their art reveals that women had a
prominent status in society.
Possibly they were ruled by a
priestess/Queen.
The Minoans were extremely
advanced with indoor plumbing &
light wells.
It is
believed
that they
were
Atlantis
of Greek
myth.
This Brilliant
Culture was
destroyed by
volcanoes and
tidal waves.
•The people left
Crete and settle on
the mainland of
Greece creating
the Mycenaean
Culture
III. Mycenaean Greeks
- They lived in fortified settlements
between 1500 to 1100 B.C.E.
- The Mycenaean were a warlike
society loosely united under a
system of feudal alliances. They
had
- Massive protective walls
- Use of horse-drawn chariots
- Bronze weapons
The Mycenaean Era is the period
when the great events in Greek
mythology occurred:
- Worship of the Olympian gods.
- The life of Kings Agamemnon, &
Odysseus.
- The life of Hector & Achilles.
- The Conquest of the city of Troy.
The Lion Gate of Mycenae is the front
entrance to what is believed to be
Agamemnon's Palace.
Pottery depicting the Mycenaean Conquests of
Troy!
The Trojan
Horse is a
Mycenaean
story.
Remains of Troy
- They were a wealthy and
skilled society; based on a
feudal system similar to
Medieval Europe.
- Gold and silver treasures
found in their burials sites.
Gold Burial Mask
& Wine Cup.
Downfall of the Mycenaean
-
Around 1150
B.C.E., settlements
were sacked and
destroyed by
invading tribes
from the north,
the Dorian
Greeks.They bring
Iron Technology to
Greece.
-The
Dorian Greeks caused:
- Drop in agricultural production
- Drop in population
- Cities reduced to villages
- Writing virtually lost
Benefits of Mycenae’s Fall:
It destroys the power of the
Mycenaean Kings allowing everyone
to be more equal.
- It creates a simple life from which
city-states can develop.
- It allows for development of an oral
tradition of story telling that results
in Homer’s Iliad & Odyssey as well
as the Olympian myths.
-
 Dorian
villages were led by a local leader
called the Basileus
 A “Council of Nobles” and “Assembly
of Warriors” assist
 in running the village
 Dorian villages were
 often located near a
 hill called an acropolis
 (high city.)
Homer: The father
of Greek literature.
Creator of the Epic
poems “The Iliad”
and “The Odyssey”
Both stories deal with the
events of the Trojan War
and it’s aftermath.
IV. Classical Greece
(800-379 B.C.E.)
 Several
aspects of Mycenaean religious
and cultural traditions were kept alive
after the Dorian Invasion.
 However, the Greeks were also able to
develop new and unique cultural traditions
One tradition
kept alive was
the Pan-Hellenic
Games
These
were
athletic
competitions
held every
four years.
The Greeks loved
these games so
much that they
would forget their
differences, cease
any wars and
compete for the
glory of Zeus (sky
god.)
Another tradition kept alive was
the Greek Humanistic Perspective
 This
was a set of beliefs which
emphasize the importance of reason
and of the individual.
 The Greeks believed that man is the
most important creature that the gods
created.
 This perspective will affect
government, philosophy, and the arts.
Evolution toward Democracy
 Monarchy
- rule by a hereditary king,
most overthrown by 8th century B.C.E.
 Oligarchy
- rule by a few, always
small group of wealthy men
 Dictatorship
 Democracy
– rule by a tyrant
– rule by the people
(meaning free male citizens)
Comparison of the two most
important Classical Greek
City-States:
Sparta and Athens
 Both
were a Polis (meaning City-State.)
 A Greek Polis was usually:
 - Small Size
-
Small Population
 - Located on a Hill
 - Served as
 the seat of
 government
Sparta
-
Sparta is located on the
Peloponnesian Peninsula, in a landlocked valley.
 - It’s society was based on conquest:
The Dorian Greeks conquered the
original farmers (called Helots.)
 - All activities of the Spartans were
geared toward maintaining its
supremacy over the Helots, who
served as their serfs.
Trade and travel was prohibited by
the Spartan government.
 - The government also demanded
strict discipline and subordination of
the individual to the state
 - The government was a military
oligarchy.
 - All Spartans men were required to
serve in military.
 - The society emphasized physical
perfection
-
- The government required that
boys seven years old be sent to
military camps to live.They lived in
military barracks until age 30 at
which time they were allowed to
marry and start a home.
Political Organization of Sparta:
-2 Kings- each from two separate families.
They checked each authority.
-The Council- composed of all Spartan
males 60+ years. They advised the kings.
-The Assembly- composed of all Spartan
men 30+ years. They voted to go to war.
-Ephors- Spartan judges.
Athens
Athenian Society was not based upon
conquest; because it had good harbors
and mineral deposits.
 - Athens was a cosmopolitan, urban
culture, due to trade.
 - More citizens (free males) were allowed
to participate in the political process.
 Athens was commitment to majority rule
 Power was strength of navy

-
 Social
classes of Athens:
- There were two social classes
citizens and non-citizens.
- Citizens, adult males, could own
land and take part in government.
They were divided into social
classes by wealth.
- Non-citizens were women, slaves,
and foreigners.
-
Athens became the most
successful democracy in Greece.
Over time every male Athenian
citizen was given the right to vote
in the assembly, which passed
laws and determine government
policies.
Powers of the Athenian Assembly:
1. The Assembly also elected 10
executives, that served for a one year
term.
2. The assembly selected a council of
500 men; which prepared the laws that
the assembly debated and voted on.
3. The assembly chose jurors for the
courts.
The
“Father
of Athenian
democracy”
was Solon.
The Reforms of Solon 594 BC
1. Created a Supreme Court –
elected by the Assembly.
2. Canceled all citizen debts.
3. Passed law that fathers must
teach sons civic values.
•Athens’
second
democratic
leader was
Cleisthenes,
who in 510
B.C.E. gave
citizenship to
all freemen
living in
Athens.
Athens’ third
democratic
leader was
Pericles,
known as the
“Father of
Athens’
Golden Age”
Reforms of Pericles:
1. Allowing all citizens (regardless
of wealth) the right to hold
political office, and serve on a jury.
2. Changed the Council and
Assembly into a bicameral
legislature.
Athens:
Democratic
Progressive
Urban
Imperialistic
Intellectually
and culturally
advanced
Sparta:
Aristocratic
Conservative
Agrarian
Culturally
Stagnant
Fearful and
jealous of
Athens
The End of
Part 1