BELLWORK
• What is the Torah?
• Describe the religion of the Israelites and
what they believe.
• What are the Ten Commandments?
• What is King David known for?
• What did the Chaldeans do to the Jews
living in Jerusalem?
• THINKER: What is a democracy? (HINT:
The U.S. government is a democracy)
Greece
• The Greeks took over the Mediterranean region
and contributed greatly to the way we live
today.
• Ancient Greece included the southern part of
Europe’s Balkan Peninsula and islands in the
Aegean Sea.
• Greece’s mountain ranges protected against
invaders but also limited communication.
• Greece is surrounded by sea, which
encouraged the Greeks to become traders, and
expand their empire.
Greek Civilization
• Originated in Minoan and Mycenaean
civilizations between 3000BC to 1000BC.
• Early on, they developed legends of gods and
heroes.
• Homer – Iliad & The Odyssey
• Main themes throughout Greek civilization:
bravery, honor, dignity, and the love of beauty.
• In religion, the Greeks worshiped gods and
goddesses
The Polis
• Polis, or city-state, emerged as the political unit
of Greek civilization.
• A Polis included a city and surrounding villages
and fields.
• Citizens within a polis government could vote,
hold public office, own property, and speak for
themselves in court.
• In return, they were expected to defend the
polis in time of war.
• Greek women had no political or legal rights.
Greek Government
• By the 700s BC, Kings were losing their powers
and being challenged by lower classes.
• As unrest increased, tyrannies arose in the citystates. (Tyrant: one man who seized power
and ruled the polis on his own)
• Tyrants ruled until 500BC until city-states
became either:
• Oligarchy: rule by a few wealthy people
• Democracy: government and rule by the
citizens
Greek Government
• The two major city-states of ancient Greece
were Sparta and Athens.
• Sparta
– Located in the Peloponnesus peninsula
– Warlike society, used its army for control
• Athens
– Located on the Attica peninsula
– Freer society known for artistic/intellectual
achievements
– Created a constitution, or plan of government, that
stated all men were equal regardless of social class
The Persian Wars
• In 490 BC, Persian forces landed near Athens.
• The Greeks were outnumbered, but staged a
surprise attack and defeated the Persians!
• Ten years later, the Persians returned to
Greece.
• About 7,000 Spartans fought the Persians for
three days at Thermopylae.
• Then, the Greek navy destroyed the entire
Persian fleet.
The Peloponnesian War
• War between Sparta and Athens that
lasted from 431BC to 404BC.
• Sparta allied with the Persians
• A plague struck Athens and killed 1/3 of
their population
• Persian-financed Spartan navy destroyed
Athens fleet.
• Athenians surrendered