Mediterranean Society: The Greek Phase
Key ThemesTrade and the interaction of culturesPolitical culture and organizationsCultural and intellectual developments
Early Development in Greek SocietyBased on small, autonomous city-states which
developed in isolationOver time, however, city-states began to
venture out into the Aegean and eventually Mediterranean seas which they used as a highway to link with the rest of the world.Led to the spread of Greek goods, ideas, and
values.
Minoan and Mycenaean SocietiesMinoan Society
Developed in Crete c. 2000 BCE, fell 1100 BCEDeveloped written language (still
undecipherable)Traded olive oil, wineEstablished ColoniesMined CopperCreated beautiful frescoes, and built luxurious
palaces and homes
Minoan and Mycenaean SocietiesMycenaean
Known as the thugs of the MediterraneanTraded with the Minoans, but eventually
overpowered themAdapted Minoan Language to fit their language
and that that writing is also undecipherable.Fought a war with the city of Troy (Iliad and
Odyssey)1100 BCE fell apart due to constant foreign
invasion
The World of PolisPolis – City-StateEach Polis was its own economic, cultural,
and political center, so a wide range of political institutions developed in Greece
The World of PolisSparta and Athens – Two most famous Greek
Poleis (plural for Polis)Sparta
Relied on military power to control the region and maintain public order
Relied on the original Peloponnesian people as slaves to cultivate the agricultural region.
Valued equality and social status was based on strength, discipline, and military talent
Women, like men, were expected to be strong as their role was to produce solid Spartan Soldiers
The World of PolisAthens
Located in the region of AtticaPolitical structure based on democratic
principles and citizen participation in decision making.
Citizens – Defined as free adult males.
Greece and the Larger WorldThe Polis prospered and expanded by
establishing trading centers and colonies along the shores of the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
Expansion brought them into conflict with the Persians and contact with and eventual domination by Alexander the Great of Macedon
Expansion and Conquest resulted in immense commercial and cultural exchange from India to Egypt.
Greek ColonizationGrowing population in the Polis spurred the
growth of colonies all on the shores of the Mediterranean and Black seas
Had their own political, social and economic structures
Diverse trading centers for fish, fur, metals, honey, fold, amber, and slaves.
Each colony was instrumental in spreading Greek language and culture.
Conflict with PersiaWar with Persia because of rebellion again
Darius and XerxesLasted for more than a century and Greeks
eventually wonDelian League – Alliance between the Greek
city-states formed during the Persian War.Fell apart following the Persian WarLed to Peloponnesian War – A civil war
between Greek city States
The Macedonians and the Coming of EmpireLocated in Macedonia to the North of Greece,
Philip II used the disagreements between Greek city states to over power Greece using win at all cost tactics.
By 338 BCE Philip controlled all of Greece and turned his attention to PersiaHis son, Alexander took over after his
mysterious assassination in 336 BCE
Alexander the GreatRuthless and intelligent, he remains one of
the great and complex personalities of history.
Won control of Ionia, Anatolia, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, Persia, and eventually most of India.
Died in Mesopotamia at the age of only 33 in 323 BCE.
Conquests spread Greek and Macedonian traditions even further.
The Hellenistic EraTime between Alexander’s death and the
expansion of the Roman EmpireAlexander’s Empire divided into 3 large states:
Antigonid Empire – Included Greece and Macedonia Ptolemic Empire – Included Egypt and parts of
northern Africa Seleucid Empire – Anatolia to Bactria All three spread Greek cultural and religious ideals
all across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The Fruits of Trade: Greek Economy and SocietyThe challenges of Greek geography forced
the early Greeks to depend on maritime trade.
Trade and Integration of the Mediterranean BasinGeography of Greece made it well suited for
grapes and olives.Used their access to the Mediterranean to
trade with grapes and olives with other regions of Asia, Africa, and Europe in exchange for food and other luxury items.
Family and SocietyStrong Patriarchal SocietyWomen only ventured outside home with
chaperone or watchful servants.Occasionally some women may work in or run
a merchant shopPriestess in a religious cult was the only public
position open to women.Women in Sparta enjoyed the most freedom
The Cultural Life of Classical GreeceGuided by principles of human reason.
Evident in the art, literature, and philosophy from this time period.
Even the written language they developed by adding vowels to the established Phoenician alphabet produced a flexible, easy-to-learn system for recording human speech.
Rational Thought and PhilosophyThree most significant scholars:
Socrates – Focused on questioning to uncover truths about human ethics and morality.
Plato – Known for theory on forms and ideas.Aristotle – Rely on senses and reason to sort
out the mysteries of the world. Wrote extensively about the natural world as well as
politics, ethics, and psychology Influential in later Christian and Islamic thinking.
Popular Religion and Greek DramaPhilosophy not a part of popular cultureMost Greeks turned to the traditions of
popular religion for guidance on proper behavior and understanding of human nature.
Polytheistic Religions used to explain natural phenomena and human problemsLead to the Greek Dramas.
Hellenistic Philosophy and ReligionHellenistic philosophers dealt with questions
of the individual need for peace and tranquility.
Stoicism was the most significant of these Hellenistic philosophies; it taught the duty of people to aid others and lead virtuous lives.