Factors of Change in Ancient Greece

1. Factors of Change in Ancient Greece www.educationforum.co.uk

2. Introduction • The Ancient Greeks built a large settled civilisation around the Mediterranean between 800-400BC

3. Government • Ancient Greece wasn’t one big country • It was made up a several smaller ‘city states’ organised in different ways • Some were aristocracies (ruled by the rich) • Some were monarchies (ruled by a king) • Some were democracies (ruled by the people) Greek city states competed with each other to be the best at things

4. Economy • The Greeks were settled, they traded and became rich. • They had slaves so had the money and time to spend developing ideas and theories

5. Religion • Like the Egyptians the Greeks had many gods • They explained events and nature by reference to the gods – for instance war might occur because Zeus was angry and illness could be taken away by the god of healing Askelpios • Large temples called Askelpians were built in honour of the god of healing where sick people went for care

6. War • The Ancient Greeks were frequently at war with their neighbours the Persians • Wars involved hand to hand fighting causing many open wounds and injuries

7. Education • The Greeks could afford to spend time and money on education • They built primary schools and secondary schools . • Learning, thinking, writing and philosophy were highly valued in Ancient Greece.

8. Individuals • The Greek doctor Hippocrates became so famous that even today new doctors take an oath (make a promise) called the Hippocratic Oath in honour of him when they qualify • Hippocrates came up with the idea that the causes of illness and disease were NATURAL not SUPERNATURAL