Greek Civilization
2100 BC to 150 BC
1. Early Greece
2. The Classical Age
3. Greek Achievements
4. Alexander the Great
The small, rugged peninsula in southern Europe –
Greece – home of early advanced civilizations
From the Minoans and the Mycenaeans to Sparta
and Athens to the empire of Alexander the Great, the
Greeks left a legacy that helped shape Western
Civilization
Centered around trade
2100 – 150 BC
The Geography of Greece
•Ancient Greece is located
in southern Europe.
•It is located on the
Mediterranean and Aegean
seas.
•The land is mountainous
and the civilization does
not grow around a river.
Early Greeks: Mycenaeans & Minoans
2100 – 150 BC
Crete: Minoan Civilization
(Palace at Knossos)
The
Minoans
were the earliest
people in the
Region.
They were
traders but their
civilization
disappeared
around 1400 BC.
2100 – 150 BC
Minoan Civilization
oExcavations done at Knossos
reveal clues about their life:
oPrivate rooms
oBasic Plumbing
oArtwork- tied to the sea
2100 – 150 BC
Minoan Civilization
LanguageLinear Acant decipher
Most Minoan images of priests are women
2100 – 150 BC
The Mycenaean Civilization
•The Mycenaeans arose next
and were most famous for the
Trojan War.
• They declined around 1200
BC.
2100 – 150 BC
The Trojan Wars
• Fought between Troy (Turkey) and Mycenae (Greece)
• The Trojan Horse-not sure if the battle took place
Homer: The “Heroic Age”
The Odyssey – the account of Greek hero – Odysseus in the Trojan War
The Ilaid is the second account
2100 – 150 BC
The Mask of Agamemnon
King of Mycenae
who was murdered
by his wife’s
mistress
The Dark Ages
• 1100-750 BCE
• After the Trojan War the Mycenaean
civilization collapsed due to civil war
and/or invasions from the north
• Writing was lost so little is known
about the period
2100 – 150 BC
2100 – 150 BC
The Rise of Greek City States
The region declined for
hundreds of years after the
Mycenaeans.
Around 750 BC, the Greek
City state, or polis, started
to develop.
Cities were built on two
levels, with an acropolis
(citadel) on the top level.
2100 – 150 BC
The Rest of the City States
Below the Acropolis was the
walled part of the city where
everyday life took place.
There were marketplaces,
theaters, public buildings,
and homes.
The market was called the
agora. It was usually in the
center of the city.
2100 – 150 BC
Athens
2100 – 150 BC
Governing the City State
• At first, city states were ruled by one person, usually a king.
This is called a monarchy. They were often called tyrants.
• Next, it was ruled by a small group of nobles. This is called
an oligarchy.
• New forms of government – democracy would soon develop,
especially in Athens.
2100 – 150 BC
Sparta
Sparta was a city state
that developed into a
warrior society.
Men spend their lives
dedicated to warfare
and training.
Some women took up
household and economic
responsibilities because
the men were occupied
with war.
2100 – 150 BC
Sparta Military Might
•Helots  People enslaved by the Spartans.
2100 – 150 BC
Athens: Yesterday and Today
•Athens was a city state that developed into
a democracy.
•A democracy is a place where people vote.
•Only male citizens could vote.
•Athens also focused on arts and learning.
2100 – 150 BC
Persian Wars: 499 BCE – 480 BCE
Fought between Greece and Persia –
Cause of Conflict region called Ionia
• Greeks heavily outnumbered.
Persians
Greeks
7300
200,000
Infantry
1200
Navy
200
20,000
Cavalry
0
(300 Spartans)
• The Spartans were led by Leonidas, the
King of Sparta. His troops were the
ultimate warriors.
Thermopylae
The Battle at Thermopylae
• August of 480 BC
• The Greeks were waiting for the Persians
at Thermopylae.
• (If the Persians wanted to get into mainland
Greece they would have to take this pass.)
• Xerxes sat on a golden throne atop the
pass to watch the battle.
• For the first two days the 7300 Greek
soldiers were able to hold off the Persians,
slaughtering the Persians. (Even Xerxes’ elite
“Immortals”)
A Traitor Among the Greeks
• A Greek soldier betrayed the Greeks and
showed Xerxes a path that would lead the
Persian troops behind the Greeks.
• Leonidas sends the Athenians home
knowing they are going to lose.
• This way the Athenians could defend the
city.
• The Persians slaughtered the remaining
Spartans, all were killed.
“The last stand…..
Leonidas
Statue of Leonidas in Sparta
today.
Greek Victory in the Persian Wars
$ Salamis (480 BCE)
 Athenian naval Victory
Persian Wars
http://www.rom.gr/ROM7/images/afisa01.jpg
2100 – 150 BC
Golden “Age of Pericles”:
460 BCE – 429 BCE
The most influential politician in Athens for
many years following the Persian Wars
Responsible for building the Parthenon &
beautifying Athens
2100 – 150 BC
Peloponnesian Wars
Athens –Delian League
Sparta-Pelponnesian League
Tension between the two leagues;
Sparta and Athens fight until Sparta
Defeats Athens
Significance of the Wars—
Weakened the Greeks which made
them vulnerable to invasion and
Conquest.
2100 – 150 BC
Macedonia Under Philip II
Took over Greece along with his son, Alexander the Great
2100 – 150 BC
2100 – 150 BC
Alexander the Great
Took over, at age 20,
after his father was
assassinated
2100 – 150 BC
Alexander the Great’s Empire
2100 – 150 BC
Alexander the Great in Persia
Within a year, Alexander conquered Persia
2100 – 150 BC
Phalanx tactic
2100 – 150 BC
The Hellenization of Asia
Greek-Like Culture mixed with others throughout Asia
Although Alexander the Great did conquer the Greeks, he
actually helped to spread Greek civilization all over Asia
2100 – 150 BC
The Economy of the Hellenistic World
2100 – 150 BC
The Breakup of Alexanders Empire
Alexander died in Babylon in 323 BC at age 33