Chapter 11: The Ancient Greeks
Lesson 1: The Early Greeks
Geography of Greece
A. The ancient Greeks lived around the AEGEAN SEA
B. Their civilization lasted from 2000 BCE-100 BCE
C. Most of the land was on the PELOPONNESUS peninsula but there were 100s of small islands as well.
D. The rugged mountains and terrain and the seas and inlets separated people who started small communities.
E. Sometimes they fought each other but the sea would eventually connect them
Farming and Trade
A. The climate of Greece allowed their economy to grow into farming and trade.
B. In the Hot summers they grew OLIVES and GRAPES on the hillsides, in the Fall and Winter, wheat and
barley.
C. There was little flat land so wheat and barley were scarce.
D. A lack of grains led to trade with Egypt, Sicily and the Black Sea region.
E. They traded with other cultures as well like the Persians and Phoenicians which led to a huge Greek
civilization.
Two Early Civilizations
A. The roots of Greek civilization can be traced to two cultures from 3000 BCE -1100 BCE.
B. These were the MINOAN and the MYCENAEAN Cultures.
C. MINOANS began their civilization on the island of CRETE 2000 BCE-1400 BCE
D. MINOANS Created fine ART: carved statues, pottery, metal bowls, jewelry and weaving.
MINOANS were also great sailors and TRADED with Egypt, Phoenicia and Mesopotamia.
The MINOANS were MASTER BUILDERS and built huge palaces with maze like rooms around a central
courtyard. They had underground plumbing and running water and beautiful murals painted on the walls.
MINOANS also developed a WRITING SYSTEM for communication and trade.
E. MYCENAEAN Culture began Their civilization on the GREEK MAINLAND around 1900 BCE.
F. MYCENAEANS left no evidence of ART at all.
G. MYCENAEANS also had many ships and captured TRADE ROUTES AND SET UP COLONIES.
H. MYCENAEANS learned from the Minoans and BUILT THEIR PALACES the same way.
I. MYCENAEANS also adopted the Minoans SYSTEM OF WRITING.
The Dark Ages 1100 BCE-800 BCE
A. The MYCENAEANS conquered the MINOANS around 1450 BCE and dominated until 1100 BCE.
B. By 1100s BCE MYCENAEAN Culture began to decline and by 1150 BCE they fled and the DORIANS
moved into the area.
C. This period from 1100 BCE-800 BCE became known as the DARK AGES; trade and writing stopped.
D. Oral tradition kept Greek history alive in tiny villages until about 800 BCE when writing began again.
E. Around 700 BCE HOMER would write the ODYSSEY.
The Rise of City-States
A. During the DARK AGES villages grew into CITIES and TRADE increased between them.
B. As Cities grew Leaders arose in each city and they developed into CITY-STATES.
C. CITY-STATES began to develop all over Greece from 600s BCE- 500s BCE and this became known as the
AGE of EXPANSION.
Lesson 2: Athens A City-State
BETWEEN 700 AND 400 BCE THE ATHENIANS DEVELOPED A DEMOCRACY PUTTING THE
POWER OF THE GOVERNMENT INTO THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE.
The Evolution of Democracy: The Feature of each step the Greeks took toward DEMOCRACY.
A. Early City-States were ruled by a MONARCHY; A single King ruled; He was from the most powerful
family and his son took the throne when he died.
B. During the Dark Ages Nobles helped the Kings protect their land; The Nobles wanted power in return and at
the end of the Dark Ages City-States were ruled by an OLIGARCHY where the King shared power with
Nobles as a Group of Men not just a single ruler.
C. Eventually poor farmers lost their land to wealthy people and this created the need for a change of Gov.
New Leaders called TYRANTS took control; the people supported TYRANTS because they promised
reform of laws and to help the poor and if they did not rule well people could overthrow them. TYRANTS
taught people that by uniting behind one leader they could gain power and make changes.
D. Around 510 BCE The people of ATHENS overthrew the evil TYRANT HIPPIAS with the help of Soldiers
from SPARTA. THEY chose to share the decision-making power of the government among themselves to
form a DEMOCRACY.
a. 500 citizens chosen at RANDOM would PROPOSE NEW LAWS.
b. An ASSEMBLY of CITIZENS would meet every 9 days and VOTE on the LAWS.
c. Citizens served as JURORS and INTERPRETED LAWS and decided COURT CASES.
d. JURORS and COUNCIL MEMBERS were paid allowing even poor people to participate in their
government because they could take off work and still make money.
Citizenship in Athens: The Different Levels of Greek Society
NOT EVERYONE IN ATHENS WAS A CITIZEN.
CITIZENS:
A. A CITIZEN: Only MEN over 18 Years of age and his FATHER was a Citizen; after 451BCE your
MOTHER’s FATHER also had to be a Citizen. Only 15% of the People of ATHENS were
CITIZENS.
B. RIGHTS of a CITIZEN: Could own Property, Attend Assembly and Vote on Laws, Serve as a Juror,
Participate periodically as Council Member and Make New Laws.
C. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CITIZEN: Attend and Vote on Council, Serve as a Juror, Wealthy were
expected to contribute large amounts of money to GOV. Projects
FAMILIES OF CITIZENS:
A. Wives and Children, 48% of ATHENS were Family Members
B. RIGHTS of FAMILY MEMBERS: No Political Rights and could not own Land.
C. RESPONSIBILITIES of FAMILY: Follow the Laws.
METICS:
A. Foreigners: Shopkeepers, Traders, Craftsman, Money Lenders. 12% of people in ATHENS.
B. RIGHTS of METICS: Protected by Law but could not Vote or serve on Council.
C. RESPONSIBILITIES of METICS: Follow the LAW.
SLAVES:
A. Captured in War or People who sold themselves into slavery because of a debt; farmers, servants,
craftworkers. 25% of people in ATHENS.
B. RIGHTS of SLAVES: NONE; No Vote, No Choice of Work, No Family without permission.
C. RESPONSIBILITY of SLAVES: Do the job your Master gave you.
Trade and Coinage:
A. Until the 500s BCE trade in ATHENS was done by BARTER.
B. By 600 BCE. Coins were used and people could use them for anything they needed.
Lesson 3: Ancient Greek Culture.
The Olympics:
A. The first Olympic Games were held in 776 BCE, at first it was only one event the 200 yards. Foot race.
B. Later they added; longer races, wrestling, boxing, discus, horse races, and chariot races.
C. The Olympic Games were so important they even stopped Wars to have them
D. The Main reason for the Olympic Games was to HONOR the GODS, especially ZEUS.
Gods:
A. The Gods lived on Mount Olympus the highest peak in Greece.
B. All the Gods and the Greeks were ruled by ZEUS the father of the Gods and sat on a golden throne.
The Family of Greek Gods: Each God had a specific role, duties and powers.
A. ZEUS: FATHER of the GODS, MASTER of the WORLD ruled the GODS and the GREEKS. He set the
STANDARDS of JUSTICE, made sure HUMANS and GODS followed them. He Controlled the
WEATHER and PUNISHED wrongdoings with THUNDER and STORMS.
B. HERA: ZEUS’S wife and GODDESS of MARRIAGE
C. POSEIDON: ZEUS’S Brother and GOD of the SEA.
D. ARES: ZEUS’S son and the GOD of WAR.
E. DIONYSUS: ZEUS’S son was the GOD of WINE.
F. APOLLO: ZEUS’S son the GOD of LIGHT and drove the sun across the sky each day in his golden chariot.
He was also the GOD of HEALTH, HERDING and PROPHECY.
G. DEMETER: The Goddess of Grain and the Harvest.
Sanctuaries to the Gods:
A. The Greeks Honored their GODS at SANCTUARIES, very beautiful and natural places that people from
all over Greece visited to perform sacred rituals, sports events and receive messages
B. OLYMPIA: were the Olympic games were held was a Sanctuary to ZEUS.
C. DELPHI: A Sanctuary to APOLLO and famous for its ORACLE; these are the messages and the shrine
where they are received. The ORACLE of Delphi told the Greeks to build “Wooden Walls” (Ships) to defeat
the Persians.
D. DELOS: A Sanctuary and an Oracle to Apollo they held sports events there every 5 years.
E. ELEUSIS: A sanctuary to DEMETER to pray for a good harvest.
Religious Festivals:
A. Festivals centered on Sports, Religious Rituals, and Animal Sacrifices to honor gods and goddesses.
B. DRAMA Festivals held twice a year honored DIONYSUS, the god of Wine.
Greek Drama:
A. TRAGEDIES: Sad stories in which a hero is brought to ruin by a character flaw like ANTIGONE.
B. COMEDIES: Funny plays about, Politics, and everyday life in Greece.
Lesson 4: A Tale of Two City-States Athens and Sparta
490 BCE. The Athenians defeated the Persian at the Battle of MARATHON where 6,400 Persian were killed
and only 192 Athenians died. This would anger the Persians and cause problems for Athens and
Sparta in the future.
The Government of Sparta
A. Spartan Government was an OLIGARCHY where Citizens belonged to an Assembly but could not propose
Laws.
B. They could vote on laws made by the Senate or the 5 EPHORS, who usually ignored the citizen’s votes.
The Economy of Sparta
A. Their economy was shaped by their emphasis on their Army.
B. The only job a Spartan man could have was as a SOLDIER.
C. People around Sparta provided trade and craft goods to Sparta.
D. The Gov. did not allow Spartan families to have luxury items.
E. Each Spartan Citizen received land and a HELOT (state Slave) who farmed the land for a share of the crops.
Education in Sparta and Athens
A. When a baby was born in Sparta a state inspector came to see if the baby was healthy if it was not it was
brought to a cave where it would be left to die. This did not happen in Athens.
Training Spartan Children:
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Boys: would leave home at 7 yrs. and live in barracks learning Jumping, running
boxing and wrestling. They slept on cold floors and were punished if they did not
follow orders. Girls: also learned running, jumping, wrestling and discus throwing
so they would have healthy babies.
CULTURAL EDUCATION: Boys were taught to read and write, Girls and Boys competed in Chorus and
dance contests at religious festivals.
Training Athenian Children:
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Boys spent a lot of time on athletics but only part. Girls Received None.
CULTURAL EDUCATION: Wealthy boys learned reading, writing, math, Poetry, music and dance.
Girls: Learned crafts, poetry, from their mothers.
Military Obligations of Citizens:
SPARTA: Spartan men’s only job was a soldier. From age 7 boys lived and trained in barracks then from 18-30
they were in the Spartan Army.
ATHENS: Athenian men joined the army at 18 and served for 2 years then were in the reserves.
Form of Government:
SPARTA: OLIGARCHY-Citizens belonged to an assembly but could not propose laws, they could only vote on
laws from the senate or the 5 EPHORS; who usually ignored their vote.
ATHENS: DEMOCRACY- All citizens had a voice in the Gov. They proposed and voted on laws and served
on juries.
Government control of Daily Life:
SPARTA: Spartan Gov. decided which babies could live and all males had to be soldiers. People had no luxury
goods. Boys must live and train apart from their families.
ATHENS: People ruled themselves and had personal freedoms. The Gov. made and enforced the laws that the
people lived by.