Ancient Greece Notes

-Ancient Greece-
I. City-States
A. Greece is composed of many
steep mountains
1. The topography made it
difficult for the Greek
people to unite and farm
B. Isolated communities became
independent states
1. Each city-state had its
own government, laws, and
army
C. Each city-state was centered around a hilltop fortress known as the

acropolis
D. Natural harbors and favorable winds allowed Greeks to trade with other
civilizations
II. The Trojan War

A. The Trojan War was a war
between Greeks and the city of
Troy around 1250 B.C.
1. The Greeks won
the war
B. Modern historians learned
of the Trojan War from the
Iliad and the Odyssey
1. These were epic
poems written by
Homer
III. Athens The start of Democracy

A. Athens promoted free expression, new ideas, and change
B. Government in Athens Democracy

1. All male citizens over the age of 20 could participate in the
Assembly
2. Athenian citizens were educated
3. Women and slaves were not considered citizens and could
not participate in the Assembly
4. Jury trials ballots were secret
IV. Sparta The military state

A. Spartan government
was a monarchy (rule by
a king)
B. Helots were slaves
that farmed for the
Spartans
C. Boys entered military training at age 7 and did not leave military
service until they were 60
D. Sparta was a military power. However, Spartans had no freedom
and produced nothing in art, literature, or science
V. Persian Wars
A. Athens and a coalition of other Greek city-states defended itself
against a Persian invasion
B. The Persian Wars were recorded by the Greek historian
Herodotus
1. He is considered the worlds first historian
VI. Golden Age of Athens several

cultural achievements
A. Pericles The most
influential Athenian during
this period
1. Led Athens during
its Golden Age
2. Leader of the
Assembly in voice
only
B. Parthenon Built on the acropolis in Athens as a temple to Athena
C. This period was the height of

Athenian democracy
1. All political offices were
open to any citizen
2. Jurors were paid so the
poor could participate
3. Athens was a true direct
democracy
a. There were no
elected representatives
D. The Peloponnesian Wars pitted Sparta and its allies against

Athens
1. Athens lost and these wars ended the Athenian Golden
Age
VII. Greek Religion

A. Polytheistic Zeus
was the most powerful
god
B. Olympics Held every four years to honor the gods
VIII. Greek Drama Plays

A. Tragedies
1. The main
character struggles
against fate
2. Usually, the main
character had
insulted the gods and
was destined to be
punished
B. Comedies
1. Often made fun of
ideas and people
IX. Architecture
A. Made many well
proportioned marble buildings
such as the Parthenon
B. Many buildings used
columns that are still common
today
1. Doric
2. Ionic
3. Corinthian
X. Sculpture
A. Emphasized beauty
and perfection
B. Idealized the human
body
XI. Greek Philosophers

A. Philosophy is the search for wisdom and truth
B. Socrates:
1. He wanted Athenians
to think for themselves
and not imitate
their elders
2. His way of teaching
became known as the
Socratic Method
a. This method
taught people to answer
questions about love,
honor, and justice
3. His motto was know thyself

4. He criticized democracy in Athens
5. Socrates was sentenced to death for corrupting Athenian youth
C. Plato:
1. Student of Socrates
2. He wrote dialogues,
or imaginary
conversations among
several people
3. His most famous
dialogue was The
Republic, which
answered the question;
what is justice?
4. His ideal government was an aristocracy rule by an

upper class
a. The aristocracy should not be based on wealth
or birth, but intelligence and education
D. Aristotle:
1. Student of Plato
2. Philosopher and scientist
3. He believed the best
government would have aspects of
monarchy,
aristocracy, and
democracy
a. Powerful leader
b. Aristocratic
advisors
c. Democratic
assembly
-Alexander the Great-
I. Son of Philip of Macedon

A. Philip had conquered and unified the Greek city-states
B. Philip hired Aristotle to tutor his young son Alexander
II. Hellenistic Empire

A. Alexander became emperor at the age of 20 after his
fathers assassination
B. Alexander quickly organized an army and began an
expedition into Persia
C. After conquering North Africa, the Middle East, and part of India,
Alexanders troops wanted to return home
1. They had been fighting for 13 years
D. On the return journey, Alexander became ill and died in Babylon
III. Hellenistic Culture

A. After Alexanders death, his empire crumbled and was
eventually conquered by the Romans
B. Although the empire collapsed, the culture remained and
became known as the Hellenistic Culture
1. This was a blend of Greek and Persian cultures

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How did the geography of Greece impact its development?

How did the geography of Greece impact its development?

What was the form of government in Athens called and who could participate?

What was the form of government in Athens called and who could participate?

-Ancient Greece-

C. Each city-state was centered around a hilltop fortress known as the

II. The Trojan War

III. Athens The start of Democracy

B. Government in Athens Democracy

IV. Sparta The military state

VI. Golden Age of Athens several

B. Parthenon Built on the acropolis in Athens as a temple to Athena

C. This period was the height of

D. The Peloponnesian Wars pitted Sparta and its allies against

VII. Greek Religion

B. Olympics Held every four years to honor the gods

VIII. Greek Drama Plays

XI. Greek Philosophers

3. His motto was know thyself

4. His ideal government was an aristocracy rule by an

-Alexander the Great-

I. Son of Philip of Macedon

II. Hellenistic Empire

III. Hellenistic Culture

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