Chris Thomas

1. Chris Thomas Classic Civilizations

2. Geography • Geography played a huge part in shaping ancient Greek civilization. • Ancient Greece mountanious terrain made it difficult to unite. • Because of the natural barriers communities were isloated and later developed into independent political units called city-states.

3. Peninsula • A peninsula is a mass of land surround by water.

4. City-States • The two most important city-states were Athens & Sparta.

5. Life In Athens • Athens was a democratic society and became the cultural leader in Greece. • It was a direct democracy so all citizens assembled to make laws for themselves. However, citizenship was limited to males who owned land. • Women in Athens were treated well but had few rights. • Only boys recivied education and were trained to become good citizens.

6. Life in Sparta • Unlike other Greek city-states, Sparta was a military camp. • Sparta ruled over a huge slave population known as helots. • Their army was the most powerful in Greece. • If a baby was born weak or deformed they were thrown away to die. • Boys spent most their life in the military. They were removed from their homes at age seven until twenty, then they were on active duty from twenty to sixty. • Government was run by two kings and five elders who held total power.