Classical Empires

1. Classical Empires

10. Early Aegean Civilization

11. Would You Rather……. Indus River Valley, Pakistan Island of Ithaca, Greece

12. The Greek City-States Ch. 4 (pp. 116 - 129) Key Concept 2.1 The Development and Codification of Religious and Cultural Traditions Key Concept 2.2 The Development of States and Empires Essential Question: What were the distinctive beliefs, philosophies, and arts of Greek civilization?

13. The Rise of the Greeks • Greek civilization arose in the lands around the Aegean Sea • Land around the Aegean was difficult to navigate • Sea travel become preferred method of commerce

15. The Emergence of the Polis • Due to geographical isolation city-states (polis) developed in Greece, as opposed to a single centralized empire • Often shared many similarities • Ex. Basic religious tenets • Ex. Patriarchal social structures • Could also differ in terms of cultural, political, economic traits • Ex. Athens vs. Sparta

16. Rise of the City-State Polis A Direct Result of Geography City & Surrounding Land; Home to 10,000 people or less Fundamental political unit

17. The Persian Wars • Greek city-states often warred with one another, but unified in the 400s B.C.E. when they were attacked by the Persians • The Persian Wars • Greeks under the leadership of Athens defeated the Persians

18. The Athenian Empire • As a result of the Athenians success, Athens, in essence, became the center of the Greek Empire • Athens projected military power of its weaker neighbors • The Hellenic League (req. tribute payments) • Experienced a golden age of culture & commerce

19. GOLDEN AGE OF ATHENS Pericles – led Athens Most democratic governments EVER Strongest navy Glorified Athens How do you “GLORIFY” Athens? Architecture, Art, and Drama

20. The Golden Age of Athens • Legal systems (law codes) & bureaucracies were created to control subjects • Ex. Athenian democracy

21. The Golden Age of Athens • Trade was promoted and currency was issued • Patriarchal social structures included classes such as slaves, artisans, merchants, elites, etc.

22. Classical Art Created figures that were perfectly formed Graceful, strong Faces only showed serenity Portray ideal beauty, not realism

23. The Golden Age of Athens • Forms of artistic expression were developed that later influenced neighboring regions in later time periods • Ex. Greek plays

24. Drama Built the first theaters in the West Two kinds of drama Tragedy – serious drama about love, hate, war Comedy – crude humor or slapstick situations

25. The Golden Age of Athens • Distinctive architectural styles were developed • Marble or limestone • Decorated frieze • Columns supported by base

28. The Golden Age of Athens • The city of Athens itself served as: • Center for trade • A place for religious ceremonies • Hub of political administration

29. The Fall of the Greeks • Athens fell in 404 B.C.E. to the Spartans as a result of the inequality of imperial rule • Peloponnesian Wars • By 387 B.C.E., the Greeks were exhausted from civil war and were unable to prevent the Persians from reconquering most of Greece

30. Philosophers “Lovers of Wisdom” Greek thinkers that questioned beliefs and ideas about justice and other values Three important thinkers: Socrates Plato Aristotle

31. Socrates • Absolute standards did exist for truth and justice • Examine your beliefs • Many people have contradictory beliefs • “Socratic method” • “There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.” • Condemned to death – drank poison

32. Plato • Student of Socrates • Wrote The Republic • Ideal society – all citizens would fall naturally into three groups • Philosopher-king = person with greatest insight • Founded The Academy

33. Aristotle • Student of Plato • Questioned the nature of the world and of human thought • Provides the basis of the Scientific Method • Founded the “Lyceum” school • Alexander the Great was his student