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Explore the rich history and culture of Ancient Greece, including the rise of city-states, Greek religion, art and architecture, and influential figures like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
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Ancient Greece The Gateway to the Western World
Admit Slip: Based on the pictures below, what do these particular societies value?
Geography City-state- a city with political and economic control over the surrounding country side. Greece is divided by mountains into isolated valleys. In addition, hundreds of scattered islands exist of its coast. Greece did form a large unified empire, but a collection of small city-states, also known as a polis.
Rise of City-States • A polis was typically made up of two parts; an acropolis (hilltop) that included religious temples, and also on flatter ground was the main city within a wall. • The main city included the market place, theater, and other public places. • Over time, landowning nobles gained power, creating an aristocracy, or government run by the landholding elite. • The two most powerful city-states were Sparta and Athens and although they shared Greek culture, they developed different ways of life (culture).
The Culture of Classical Greece • Classical Greece, especially Athens, witnessed a period of remarkable intellectual and cultural growth that became the main source of Western culture. • Under a leader named Pericles, Athens had a direct democracy, which is a government where a large number of male citizens actually took part in the day to day running of government. • Women and slaves did not participate in government, as they were believed to be inferior to men. • Athens is best known for giving a greater number of people a voice in government than did any other culture at this time. • Religion, Philosophy, Art, and the Theatre became major aspects of Greek culture.
Who or what do you think these figures in the picture are? What makes you think this way?
Greek Religion • Religion affected every aspect of Greek life • Greeks considered religion necessary to the well-being of the state • Greek religion was polytheistic (12 chief gods and goddesses) • All gods were thought to live on Mt. Olympus
Greek Gods • The picture to the left portrays Zeus, the god of all gods in Ancient Greece • What do you think Zeus was the god of? What makes you think that?
More Greek Gods What aspects of Greek life are these gods responsible for?
The Parthenon Why do you think the Parthenon was built atop an elevated area? Acropolis- a fortified area, usually atop a hill, that served as a place of refuge or religious area.
Greek Drama What do you think this structure was used for? What do you think took place in this area?
Greek Drama • Drama as we know it in Western culture was created by the Greeks • Plays were presented in outdoor theatres as part of religious festivals Tragedies- a form of drama that portrays a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force. The protagonist ultimately experiences extreme sorrow due to a fatal flaw
Greek Architecture What characteristics of architecture in the photos below look familiar to you? Can you think of a building in modern-day that uses the same architectural style?
Greek Art • What do these sculptures tell you about Greek values?
Greek Art • Statues were lifelike, usually humans were nude with relaxed features • Statues also portrayed humans who were self-assured, had flexible bodies, as well as smooth muscled • Systematic proportions were used when sculpting the human form to ensure an ideal human form
Olympics http://www.olympic.org/ancient-olympic-games?tab=history
Socrates • Believed the goal of education was to improve the individual • Developed the Socratic Method • He questioned authority which ultimately led to his demise • Taught students to question and think for themselves
Plato • Studied under Socrates • Fascinated with the question of reality • Wrote The Republic, where he described his ideal state (distrust of democracy) • Believed both men and women should have the same education and equal access to all positions • Established own school known as the academy
Aristotle • Aristotle studied under Plato at the academy • Analyzed and classified things based on observation and investigation • Wrote about ethics, logic, politics, poetry, astronomy, biology, and physics • Believed the best government was one that had a constitution
Admit Slip • Historical figures are often looked upon as heroes for their various accomplishments. However, we often overlook the atrocities that these particular people did in order to accomplish their goal. • Although someone may accomplish something truly great, if how they pursued their goal is questionable, does the magnitude of the accomplishment become unimportant? • Can you think of any historical figure who is often portrayed in a positive way, even though their actions, or how they went about accomplishing their goal was questionable? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojkiE9PPzNo
Peloponnesian War • Athens and Sparta would eventually go to war • Each city-state believed that they had worthy strategies and strong militaries. • Plague spread in Athens which caused a third of the population to die • Sparta would go on to win the war, however both city-states were extremely vulnerable • While various Greek city-states continued fighting, the emergence of a powerful kingdom was to follow…
Macedonia • Mountainous country located north of Greece • Macedonians were rural people organized in groups, not city-states • Phillip II ruled over Macedonia and created a powerful army • Phillip II goal was to unite all of Greece under Macedonian rule • Phillip II eventually is assassinated, so his son, Alexander became the new king.
Alexander the Great Alexander took the throne of Macedonia when he was 20 years old. Although only 20, Alexander had many years of military experience. Alexander went on to conquer much of the known world at that time including; the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India. While conquering these foreign lands, he spread Greek culture throughout the world. Greek culture blended with Persian, Egyptian, and Indian culture to create a new culture known as Hellenistic.
Alexander the Great • Studied under Aristotle • 334BC, at age 22, Alexander begins his conquest of the Persian Empire. • Strategic military leader, battle tactics and strategies were very advanced • Fierce military general, undefeated on the battlefield. • Known for spreading Hellenistic Culture (Greek) throughout the world.
Exit Slip • What qualities do you think a good leader should possess? • Based on the information presented in class, do you believe that Alexander of Macedonia deserved the title “Alexander the Great?” Explain your answer.
