Ancient GreeceAncient GreeceThe ancient Greeks developed The ancient Greeks developed

a complex society, with a complex society, with remarkable achievements in remarkable achievements in

the arts, sciences, and the arts, sciences, and government. government.

The Land/History of GreeceThe Land/History of Greece►Greece is mountainous which made it hard for Greece is mountainous which made it hard for

early settlers to travel by land early settlers to travel by land ► The “Greek Peninsula” is part of the Balkan The “Greek Peninsula” is part of the Balkan

Peninsula Peninsula ► The rocky land contains poor soil and few The rocky land contains poor soil and few

large treeslarge trees►Olives and grapes are the most important Olives and grapes are the most important

crops grown in this area crops grown in this area ►Water is the greatest natural resource in Water is the greatest natural resource in

GreeceGreece► The Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the The Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the

Mediterranean Sea are all close to Greece.Mediterranean Sea are all close to Greece.

►The Greek Peninsula is surrounded by The Greek Peninsula is surrounded by water on three sides water on three sides

►The Greeks depended on water for The Greeks depended on water for trade, fishing and sailing. trade, fishing and sailing.

Olive tree and a map showing Greece

Government of Ancient Government of Ancient GreeceGreece►City-states began to develop as the City-states began to develop as the

Greek population grew Greek population grew ►City-state: An area/state that has its own City-state: An area/state that has its own

language, religion, military, and way of language, religion, military, and way of lifelife

►A city-state contained a polisA city-state contained a polis►Polis: Central city Polis: Central city ►City-states could either be oligarchies, City-states could either be oligarchies,

democracies or some were ruled by a democracies or some were ruled by a tyranttyrant

►Democracy means “rule by the people”Democracy means “rule by the people”

Athens Athens

►The city-state of Athens is one of the The city-state of Athens is one of the largest and most important city-stateslargest and most important city-states

►Democratic form of government Democratic form of government ►The citizens of Athens voted and The citizens of Athens voted and

debateddebated►Only free men whose fathers had Only free men whose fathers had

been citizens of Athens were able to been citizens of Athens were able to votevote

►Women, slaves and foreign residents Women, slaves and foreign residents could not vote or take part in could not vote or take part in government government

SpartaSparta►Had the best military around. They lost few Had the best military around. They lost few

battles in their time. Best soldiers in the battles in their time. Best soldiers in the world.world.

►All citizens were trained in physical aspects All citizens were trained in physical aspects because they admired strong bodies because they admired strong bodies

►Boys were sent at age 7 to become Boys were sent at age 7 to become Spartan Soldiers Spartan Soldiers

►OligarchyOligarchy►Located in the southernmost part of Located in the southernmost part of

Greece so it was an important trading Greece so it was an important trading centercenter

Proud to be Greek!Proud to be Greek!

►Sparta and Athens were not the only city-Sparta and Athens were not the only city-states…there were many more. The states…there were many more. The Corinth, Persia, Troy, Macedon and Argive.Corinth, Persia, Troy, Macedon and Argive.

►Though they were different…they were all Though they were different…they were all proud of their heritage. They were proud to proud of their heritage. They were proud to be Greek & they were proud of their Greek be Greek & they were proud of their Greek backgrounds. backgrounds.

►Greeks all spoke the same language, Greeks all spoke the same language, believed in the same Gods and had a believed in the same Gods and had a common heritage.common heritage.

Words to know:Words to know:

►Oligarchy: rule by a small elite groupOligarchy: rule by a small elite group►Democracy: rule by the peopleDemocracy: rule by the people►Tyranny (tyrant): one harsh or cruel Tyranny (tyrant): one harsh or cruel

leader leader ►Myth: traditional or legendary story, Myth: traditional or legendary story,

usually concerning some being or hero usually concerning some being or hero or event. Trys to explain some aspect or event. Trys to explain some aspect of the world.of the world.

Learning and the ArtsLearning and the Arts

►The Greeks made remarkable The Greeks made remarkable achievements in literature, learning and achievements in literature, learning and architecture. architecture.

►The Greeks wrote myths, poems and plays The Greeks wrote myths, poems and plays to honor their gods and goddesses. to honor their gods and goddesses.

►Some famous playwrights of this time Some famous playwrights of this time were: Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides. were: Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides.

►Playwrights in this time focused on writing Playwrights in this time focused on writing tragedies and comedies.tragedies and comedies.

PhilosophyPhilosophy

► A philosopher is a person who studies A philosopher is a person who studies and thinks about why the world is the and thinks about why the world is the way it is. way it is.

►Two important philosophers from Two important philosophers from ancient Greece were Socrates, Plato ancient Greece were Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Socrates was a teacher and Aristotle. Socrates was a teacher to Plato.to Plato.

►Aristotle taught Alexander the Great.Aristotle taught Alexander the Great.

Sophocles on the left and Plato on the right

Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great► Excellent military leader whose armies were Excellent military leader whose armies were

able to conquer many places.able to conquer many places.► As Alexander the Great began conquering in As Alexander the Great began conquering in

Greece, the Greek culture, language and Greece, the Greek culture, language and ideas spread all over Europe. People as far as ideas spread all over Europe. People as far as India were starting to live like the Greeks. India were starting to live like the Greeks.

► Alexander died at age 33 to an unknown Alexander died at age 33 to an unknown cause. Some say he may have been poisoned. cause. Some say he may have been poisoned.

►When he died the areas that he conquered When he died the areas that he conquered were divided up along the generals in his were divided up along the generals in his army. army.