The Rise of Greek Civilization

1. The Rise of Greek Civilization Week 2:

2. Introduction: Greek Legacies • Scientific research • Philosophy • Fine arts (art, architecture, literature, drama, poetry) • Democracy • Value of the individual • Toleration of dissent/open criticism • Competitive spirit

3. Timeline

4. Bronze Age civilizations of Crete (Minoan) Greek mainland (Mycenean) Early History of Greece

6. Timeline:Bronze Age Greece

7. Minoan Civilization • Named for Minos, legendary king of Crete (cf. the Minotaur, the Labyrinth, Daedalus & Icarus) • Flourished ca. 1900 – 1500 BCE • Linear A • Island location: • Large fleet • Isolated position Peaceful, Prosperous society

8. Minoan Civilization

9. Minoan Civilization ? What happened to the Minoans?

10. Mycenean Civilization • Flourished ca. 1600-1200 BCE • Linear B • City-states (Mycenae, Pylos, Athens, etc.) • More war-like • Wealthy *Trojan War*

11. Mycenaean Civilization What happened to the Mycenaeans? • Weakened from war, raids, internal conflict? • Dorian tribes invade?

12. Greek Dark Ages!

13. Greek Dark Ages • Chaos, displacement (Dorians move in, conquer or kick out inhabitants) • Illiteracy returns (lack of written records) • Poverty (crude architecture)

14. World of the Dark Ages • Government • Kings have to consult council of nobles • Society • Class division: nobles, thetes, landless laborers, slaves • Importance of religion • Values • Manliness, courage, excellence → personal honor

15. Birth of the Polis

16. Birth of the Polis

17. The Polis • Central focus of political, cultural, religious, social life → citizens intensely loyal to polis • Main qualities: • Self-sufficient, politically independent unit • Small scale • Tightly-knit, personal

18. The Polis • On the positive side: • People work hard for the state • On the negative side: • Rivalries & wars between poleis • Also, internal class conflicts

19. Common Greek Identity • Language • Religion, customs • Athletic contests honoring the gods • City-states form leagues • Delphic Amphityony • Peloponnesian League

20. Timeline

21. Age of Colonization • New agriculture types > population growth • Land can’t support population > farmers go into debt • What to do with the surplus population? Colonize!

22. Age of Colonization • Site for the colony (good soil, enough natural resources, defensible land, good spot for trade) • Independent, but close ties to the mother city (metropolis) • Settled all around Mediterranean

24. Age of Colonization • Colonies relieved population pressures • Less overcrowding > easier for farmers • Provided resources to mother cities • Supported craftsman (making goods for export)

25. Age of Colonization • Fostered sense of cultural identity (Panhellenic spirit) • Comparing selves with people from other areas (barbarians)

26. Question! The Greek colonization movement around 750 BCE occurred primarily because of: • Fear of the Dorian invasion • Overpopulation of Greek lands • Need to escape from internal disputes between city-states • Desire to trade and make money

27. Answer! The Greek colonization movement around 750 BCE occurred primarily because of: • Fear of the Dorian invasion • Overpopulation of Greek lands • Need to escape from internal disputes between city-states • Desire to trade and make money

28. Hoplite Phalanx • A compact formation of heavily armored soldiers (“hoplites”) with spears & overlapping shields • Hoplites included farmers, craftsmen, merchants • Crucial for development of poleis & for colonization

29. Hoplite Phalanx

30. New Concept of Warfare • Battles become short, brutal, head-on clashes • Wars resolved quickly

31. Rise of Greek Democracy • Two main paths to democracy: • In agricultural poleis, farmer-hoplites gain more political power gradually, peacefully • In commercial poleis, disgruntled nobles (w/ frustrated middle class) seize power, set up tyranny; later, a revolution and tyrant replaced by more democratic government

32. Early Greek Democracy • High value placed on equality (at least among citizens) • Polis largely dominated by middle class (small landholders, merchants, craftsmen) • Scope and damage of war limited by hoplite style of warfare

34. Important Poleis • Sparta • Athens

37. Rise of Sparta • Instead of colonizing, conquered neighboring Messenians • First Messenian War, ca. 725 BCE • Second Messenian War, ca. 650 BCE • Turned Messenians into slave-farmers (Helots)

38. Rise of Sparta • Constantly on guard against Helot revolt • Became military state • This shaped many aspects of Spartan society…

39. Rise of Sparta • Infants • Would be inspected for weakness, defects • State judged whether should live or die

40. Rise of Sparta • Boys • Age 7 – go to live in barracks • Age 12 – Spartan training truly begins • Age 18 – two years in secret police • Age 20 – enter army • Age 30 – full citizen • Age 50 – able to move home

41. Rise of Sparta • Girls • Arduous training and exercise in order to bear strong, healthy children • Supervise Helots and run farms • More liberated, outspoken, free

42. Rise of Sparta • Government • Two kings – lead army • Five officials (ephors) + council of elders • Assembly of all Spartan men – vote on issues • Incredibly stable system, with checks & balances • Led Peloponnesian League

43. Rise of Sparta • Produced incredible soldiers • Physical prowess • Discipline • Intense training • Loyal to the polis above all

44. Question! The Spartans felt compelled to make the army the primary focus of their society because: • Of the threat of conquest by Corinth • Of the danger of a Persian invasion • They wanted to conquer the Peloponnesus • Of the threat of rebellion by their slaves

45. Answer! The Spartans felt compelled to make the army the primary focus of their society because: • Of the threat of conquest by Corinth • Of the danger of a Persian invasion • They wanted to conquer the Peloponnesus • Of the threat of rebellion by their slaves

46. Athens

49. Rise of Athens • When Attica was united, conquered people made Athenian citizens (cf Spartan Helots) • Aristocratic rule, council of nobles • Archons (magistrates), but limited power • 632 BCE Cylon attempts a coup • 621 BCE Draco commissioned to write laws • 600 BCE Solon given powers to reform state

50. Solon’s Economic Reforms • Outlawed export of grain, encouraged olive & grape cultivation • Profits used to import grain from Black Sea • Developed trade & manufacturing in Athens • Especially pottery • Abolished debts & debt slavery