Greece Homework 6 questions:
Read pages 102-123 OR Chapter 5: Classical Greece (all sections).
Answer the following questions with a paragraph response for each question (5-7
sentences) in complete sentences:
1. How did the geography and climate of Greece influence the development of Greek
civilization?
2. In what ways was Athenian democracy limited? Why is Athens considered an early
model of democracy?
3. Create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting Athens and Sparta.
4. What were the causes and effects of the Peloponnesian War?
Scroll down for #5 & 6.
5. Read the passage below about Alexander’s plan to unify his empire. Underline the main parts of his
plan. Then fill in the chart.
While Alexander the Great was conquering Egypt, the Middle East, and Central Asia, he had a goal of bringing the
people of the different cultures under a single government. To accomplish cultural diffusion, he created a plan with
three parts. First, he would spread Greek culture and ideas. Second, he would use religion to inspire loyalty. Third, he
would show respect for the cultures he conquered and even adopt some of their customs.
Alexander deeply admired Greek culture. One way he tried to spread this culture was to build Greek-style cities when
he established new cities throughout his empire. Each city had a marketplace, a university, a library, a gymnasium, and a
theatre. Libraries contained thousands of books on Greek science, philosophy, and other Greek ideas. This spread of
Greek culture was called Hellenism and influenced world history for hundreds of years.
The second part of Alexander’s plan involved religion. He honored Egyptian and Persian gods and treated them as
equal to Greek gods. This helped gain the respect and loyalty of the civilizations he conquered. Alexander also claimed
that he himself was a god. He required all Greeks to accept him as the son of Zeus.
The third part of his plan was to show respect for the cultural practices of the people he conquered. He did this by
adopting some of these practices himself. He allowed the leaders of the conquered people to keep control as long as
they still followed Alexander. He used some of the clothing styles and architecture of conquered people. He even
encouraged marriage between Greeks and Persians.
Part of plan
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Examples of how Alexander accomplished the plan
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6. Read The Philosopher King by Plato and answer the 4 questions on the bottom of the
handout.
Source: Excerpt “The Philosopher King” from Plato’s, The Republic, 360 B.C.E.
Inasmuch as philosophers only are able to grasp the eternal and unchangeable, and those
who wander in the region of the many and variable are not philosophers, I must ask you
which of the two classes should be the rulers of our State.
And how can we rightly answer that question? Whichever of the two are best able to guard
the laws and institutions of our State--let them be our guardians. Very good.
In the first place, as we began by observing, the nature of the philosopher has to be
ascertained. We must come to an understanding about him, and, when we have done so,
then, if I am not mistaken, we shall also acknowledge that such a union of qualities is
possible, and that those in whom they are united, and those only, should be rulers in the
State.
Let us suppose that philosophical minds always love knowledge of a sort which shows
them the eternal nature not varying from generation and corruption.
And if they are to be what we were describing, is there not another quality which they
should also possess? Truthfulness: they will never intentionally receive into their minds
falsehood, which is their detestation, and they will love the truth.
He whose desires are drawn toward knowledge in every form will be absorbed in the
pleasures of the soul, and will hardly feel bodily pleasure--I mean, if he be a true
philosopher and not a sham one.
Then you will soon observe whether a man is just and gentle, or rude and unsociable; these
are the signs which distinguish even in youth the philosophical nature from the
unphilosophical.Then, besides other qualities, we must try to find a naturally wellproportioned and gracious mind, which will move spontaneously toward the true being of
everything.
Well, and do not all these qualities, which we have been enumerating, go together, and are
they not, in a manner, necessary to a soul, which is to have a full and perfect participation
of being?
And must not that be a blameless study which he only can pursue who has the gift of a good
memory, and is quick to learn--noble, gracious, the friend of truth, justice, courage,
temperance, who are his kindred? And to men like him, I said, when perfected by years and
education, and to these only you will intrust the State.
1. When was the document written? Who is the author? What is his point of view?
(Consider the fact that he is a philosopher)
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2. Which class of people should be the ruler of the state?
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3. What qualities are essential to a good ruler?
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4. Why is the philosopher king the ideal monarch according to Plato? Why?
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