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Explore the rise and fall of the ancient Greeks and Romans, their contributions to art, philosophy, government, and more. Learn about the geography, culture, and impact of these iconic civilizations.
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The Greeks (750 BC- 200 BC) • Geography • Mountainous, rocky soil, dry climate • Coastal –deep/navigable harbors • Meant that 1. Rugged terrain kept from uniting 2. Series of independent city-states (polis) 3. Maritimeeconomy (based on sea trade)
Athens vs. Sparta:A Tale of Two City-States • AthensSparta 1. maritime trade 1. agricultural 2. colonized to in- 2. conquered others crease food supply & enslaved 3. emphasized know- 3. emphasized strict ledge, culture, art, & discipline/military education 4. first to develop 4. monarchial form of democracy govt.
Greek Culture • Religion • Polytheistic/ Anthropomorphic • Mt. Olympus (Zeus, Hera, Athena, etc) • Mythology • Architecture • Classical (balanced, simple geometric forms, domes, arches, columns, elegance) This Not This
Contributions • Government – direct democracy • Virtue of citizenship responsibilities • Philosophy • Love of Wisdom • Big 3 – 1. Socrates (“Know Thyself”) 2. Plato (The Republic) – pol. Science 3. Aristotle (scientific method/ system of classification)
Contributions • Theatre • First to present plays (tragedies/comedies) • Used to socially instruct • Olympics • Games to honor Zeus • Athletes as heroes to Greeks • Language • Prefixes (geo-, philo-, demo-, astro-, etc.) • Suffixes (-cracy, -ology, -graphy, etc.)
Decline • Peloponnesian Wars (200s BC) • Sparta & allies vs. Athens & allies • War over Athens trying to dominate other city-states • War lasted over 30 yrs; Sparta won • Left vulnerable to be conquered • Alexander the Great
The Romans (500 BC- 500 AD) • Geography • Mountainous (in areas) / very fertile valleys • Treacherous coast / few good harbors • Meant that 1. Romans were farmers 2. Would eventually unite as one people • Early Government • Monarchy Republic • Republic would last approx. 500 yrs. (500 BC – 1 BC)
Conquerors of the Mediterranean (200 BC- 200 AD) • United Rome, then whole Italian peninsula • Conquered its neighbors • Spain, Gaul (France), Britany (England), Germany, Egypt, and Carthage (No. Africa) • The Punic Wars – Rome vs. Carthage • By 200 B.C., Rome is master of Med. Sea area
Rome – The Empire (1 AD- 300 AD) First 5 Emperors – the “Good Emperors” • Empire greatly expanded its borders • Government - efficient and just • Benefits of strong unified govt. to all citizens 1. system of roads to connect empire together 2. unified system of law for all 3. sound economy (coinage of money, manufacturing, & agriculture) 4. Kept peace & order (PaxRomana) 5. Civic welfare (museums, libraries, educ.)
Fall of Rome (500 AD) 1. Government Instability • Assassinations – no definite method of succession established • Weak leadership – Emperors known for their insanity, immorality, and greediness 2. Economic Troubles • Small independent farmers driven from their land – forced into the cities • Became part of the “mob” – homeless/jobless
Fall of Rome Economic Troubles (cont) • Government develops welfare state to avoid revolt (“Bread & Circuses”) • Lack of manufacturing due to high inflation • Borders to hard to maintain – trade declines 3. Outside Invasions • Germanic tribes (in north) envied Rome’s wealth and advantages • Began attacking on the frontiers/ sacked Rome – 476 AD
Contributions 1. Government – Republic • Makes democracy possible for large pop. 2. Rule of Law • Twelve Tables – all laws written down to protect the rights of lower classes (Plebeians) 3. Engineering – roads, aqueducts, concrete, domes, classical architecture
Contributions • Religion • Adopted Greek deities at first, but renamed • Emperor Constantine later adopted Christianity as official religion of the Empire (approx. 300 AD) Conclusion The Western world (Europe/Americas) is built upon the ideas, knowledge, & practices of the Classical Civilizations of Greece & Rome.