Greek City-States Reality and Image
Early Greeks Darius and the Persians expanded into Anatolia and conquered Greek city-states. The Greeks were structured differently than the Persian imperial system. The Greeks had a city-state or polis. Polis was an intentionally small, locally organized government with enough surrounding land to support agricultural needs.
Early Greeks The Greeks started on the mainland. They moved throughout the Mediterranean. They went to France, Spain and modern-day Turkey. The Greeks were separate and independent they were united culturally by the Greek language and the mythistory created by Homer and the Olympics.
The Age Tyrants 650 to 550BC Many changes in Greek life during this time period. Metal is making its way into Greece due to trading and colonization of the Mediterranean. Warfare was not limited to nobility, the middle class was now taking part. Citizens fighting for the POLIS were not interested in being ruled by the nobles.
The Age Tyrants 650 to 550BC The common people in Greece were calling for reform. In 594 BC, Solon initiated moderate social and economic reform. One reform was making ownership of property instead of birth the qualification to higher office. Most of them were just a comprise and did not completely satisfy anyone.
The Age Tyrants 650 to 550BC In most polis, there was strife and bloody conflict. The lower and middle class rose against the aristocracy. The result was a tyrant was installed. This tyrant claimed rule on behalf of the people. This happened in Athens in 560 BC. Pisistratus became tyrant as a champion of the commoners.
The Age Tyrants 650 to 550BC Pisistratus banished many nobles and redistributed the land among the poor. He also set a precedent for later rulers to follow by his patronage of culture. Other tyrants pursued reform policies in Athens. One of the most important was Cleisthenes in 508 BC. He established the Council of 500.
The Age Tyrants 650 to 550BC Cleisthenes established the Council of 500. He initiated a system whereby citizens were picked by lot to serve on the council which was to determine high policy. (name the equivalent for America) At this point Athens had become a working democracy.
Sparta After the fifth century BC the two dominant polis were Athens and Sparta. Sparta had moved from the normal path of Greek political development. Athens went from monarchy, oligarchy, tyranny to democracy. Sparta was a mix of democracy and oligarchy.
Sparta Sparta was ruled be two kings and a council of elders. A group of five overseers held the true power, the group was elected by the council. Sparta was very militaristic. Every Spartan was a solider. All hopes and ambitions were for the state. Infants who physical appearance gave little hope for serving the state sent to the hills to die.
Sparta The government in Sparta was rigid. They forbade contact with democratic idealism: therefore they limited travel. The Spartans formed the Spartan League to combat democracy. Athens countered this. (Ask if this is familiar)
Persian Wars 490-479 BC Persia was gaining control over Ionian areas. Ionia asked Athens for help. Athens sent over 20 ships but were crushed by the Persians. At this point Darius swore revenge on the Athenians. In 490 BC, Darius sent a force to Marathon.
Persian Wars 490-479 BC The Battle of Marathon showed the problems of Greek unity. There was none. Sparta refused to join the battle. Athens alone defeated the Persians. This victory postponed the real Persian threat. Xerxes, the son of Darius planned even a larger attack on Athens. The Persians had 180,000 soldiers and a large fleet.
Persian Wars 490-479 BC Athenians prepared to meet the Persian in the sea. The Spartans were getting ready as well. The Panhellenic League was formed for mutual defense of the Persians. A large battle was at Thermopylae. There were 300 Spartans holding off the Persians. After three days, the Persians reached Athens. The city was empty.
Persian Wars 490-479 BC The city was abandoned by Themistocles. He placed all of his faith in the fleet. The lighter and more agile Greek ships were able to defeat the Persians at the Battle of Salamis. In 479 BC, the Persians, being stretched thin, were crushed at Plataea. What troops were left were defeated and Ionian was free of Persian control.
Golden Age of Greece 460-429 BC This is also called the Age of Pericles. The Athenian constitution was completed. Almost all offices were determined by lot so there was no political pressure. Even the poor could do jury duty, the state paid for the service. This democratic structure provided for a climate of creativity.
Golden Age of Greece 460-429 BC The most important triumphs were in drama, sculpture, architecture, philosophy, science and historical writing.
Drama Drama was a product of the worship of the god Dionysus.
Architecture Athens was able to rebuild the city from scratch after Xerxes and the Persians burned it. Pericles started a huge campaign of beautification. The Acropolis, and the Parthenon are classic examples of the Greeks. The Parthenon is the best example of proportion.
Philosophy There are many earlier philosophers, the best known was Socrates (470-399). He believed he could question people and develop ethical standards. Socrates linked virtue with knowledge. His best student was Plato. Plato believed that truth existed. Believed that there was ideal beauty, justice, truth remaining beyond the perception of man.
The Decline of the Polis Often within strength can be found weakness. The attachment of people to the polis, prohibited the federation of Athens with other Greek poleis. Many were fearfully of Athens and their imperialistic attitudes. Athens formed a defensive league, the Delian League. Sparta did not like Athenian policies. Without a Persian threat, Sparta invaded Athens.
The Peloponnesian War 431-404 BC The war was between Athens and Sparta and lasted for 30 years and ended with the total defeat of Athens. The first phase was 10 years. A great plague hit Athens and caused the death of a third of the population. Pericles died in this plague and dealt a huge blow to Athens. The following leaders were not equal to Pericles.
The Peloponnesian War 431-404 BC There were five years of peace that was very uneasy. The Athenians attacked the island of Melos and killed all the adult males and sold the women and children into slavery. In 415, Athens attacked Syracuse. This proved to be the downfall of Athens. They wanted to expand their empire westward with Sicily.
The Peloponnesian War 431-404 BC In 405 Athens came under Spartan control. The Peloponnesian Wars were costly for all Greek poleis. Unemployment was common, many sold themselves as mercenaries. The polis had lost its importance and the Greeks were ripe for takeover.
Alexander the Great Phillip of Macedon had a son named Alexander. Phillip was killed when Alexander was 20 years old. Alexander became king. He was an educated man. Taught by Aristotle. He took over Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine, and the Persian Empire. Moved into India. In 323 BC, returned to Babylon he died.
Hellenistic Culture With his armies in place all over the world, a common culture was developed, called Hellenistic. A common language, Greek, was used throughout the area. Trade was all over the Mediterranean. Uniform coinage was in the area. The society was highly educated. An Aristotelian method was adopted throughout the area.