Ancient Greece

• Theme: Geography• Theme: Economics• Theme: Politics

– Slide 1– Slide 2– Slide 3– Slide 4 – Slide 5

•Theme: Religion•Theme: Society & Culture

-Slide 1-Slide2

•Theme: Science & Tech.

-Slide 1-Slide 2

Theme: Geography

I. GreeceA. rocky, mountainous landB. surrounded by water

(peninsula)C. many islandsD. few flat areas for farmland

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Theme: Economics

I. TradingA. Early traders: Minoans and

Mycenaeans B. Traded wood, olive oil & pottery for

copper, gold, silver and jewelsC. Traded for food products they neededD. Trading helped them learn new ideas

from other cultures

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Theme: PoliticsOligarchy

Benefits DrawbacksMore than one person rulingFree men were citizens

Only a few rich landowners (aristocrats) ran the city’s economy ($$$), were generals & judgesCommon people had little say

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Theme: PoliticsTyranny

Benefits DrawbacksOverthrew the oligarchyGood leaders with strong armies & support peopleTyrants seized power to reform laws, aid the poor, and cancel debts

Tyrant held power through use of force Common people had little saySome tyrants became harsh & greedy & were overthrown

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Theme: PoliticsAthenian Democracy

Benefits DrawbacksAll citizens have a say in governmentAll citizens have the right to express opinionsPower of nobles is limited

Women, slaves, and foreigners have no say in governmentDifficult to make decisions with so many peopleSometimes citizens were forced to attend assembly

Direct Democracy (Athens) – each & every citizen debated & voted on every issue, created & enforced laws, & were judges.

Representative Democracy (United States) – citizens elect representatives to debate & vote on issues, create & enforce laws, & be judges.

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Theme: Politics

I. The Persian WarsA. Series of wars between Persia and GreeceB. The Persian army was strong and well organizedC. Greeks won because they had better weapons

and clever leaders.

II. The Peloponnesian WarA. Sparta declared war to stop Athens’ growthB. Greek cities feared Athens would control GreeceC. Sparta defeats Athens and becomes the most

powerful city-state in Greece

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Theme: Politics

III. Alexander the GreatA. Brilliant commanderB. The Egyptians surrendered without a fight and

crowned Alexander pharaohC. Becomes ruler of what had been the Persian

EmpireD. After crossing the Indus River his exhausted

troops refused to fight any moreE. Alexander admired and enjoyed Greek culture

and ideas so much that he spread them throughout his empire

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Theme: Religion

I. Greek GodsA. Myths used to explain events like

thunder, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions

B. Gods center of Greek myths

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Theme: Society and Culture

I. Classical AgeA. Polis – small city-stateB. City-state – foundation of civilization

1. Gave people an identity2. People participated in economy &

government3. People thought of themselves as

residents of the city-state, not as Greeks

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Theme: Society & Culture

II. SpartaA. Society dominated by the militaryB. Military power provided security and

protection for their cityC. Boys were trained from an early age to be soldiersD. Spartan woman had more rights than other Greek women

III. AthensA. Valued education, clear thinking and artsB. Athenian women had few rights

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Theme: Science and TechnologyI. Greek writers produced

A. Epic poems1. Iliad and Odyssey by

HomerB. Romantic poetryC. Famous storiesD. Lyric poetry (poems set to music)E. Fables

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Theme: Science & TechnologyII. Philosophers

A. Believed in the power of the human mind to think, explain, and understand life

1. Socrates – taught by asking questions2. Plato – created the Academy3. Aristotle – taught that people should live

lives of moderation, or balanceThe many achievements of ancient Greece

were important because they shaped Western civilization

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