🗡️Ancient Greece Unit 8 – The Fourth Century BCE

Key Events and Timeline

• 404 BCE marks the end of the Peloponnesian War with Sparta's victory over Athens
• 399 BCE sees the trial and execution of Socrates, a pivotal moment in Greek philosophy
• Plato founds the Academy in Athens around 387 BCE, establishing a center for philosophical and scientific learning
• The Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE demonstrates Thebes' military prowess and challenges Sparta's hegemony
  • Theban general Epaminondas employs innovative tactics, including the use of a deep phalanx formation
• Philip II of Macedon rises to power in 359 BCE, beginning the expansion of Macedonian influence
  • Philip introduces the Macedonian phalanx, a formidable military formation
• Demosthenes delivers his famous Philippic speeches, warning Athens of Philip's growing power
• Alexander the Great becomes king of Macedon in 336 BCE after Philip's assassination

Political Landscape

• Sparta emerges as the dominant power in Greece after the Peloponnesian War
  • Spartan hegemony is characterized by a more oligarchic system of government
• Athens undergoes political upheaval, with the rule of the Thirty Tyrants and the restoration of democracy
• Thebes rises as a major power, challenging Sparta's dominance
  • Theban statesman Pelopidas and general Epaminondas play crucial roles in Thebes' ascent
• The Macedonian kingdom expands its influence under Philip II
  • Philip reorganizes the Macedonian army and engages in diplomacy and military campaigns
• The Athenian statesman Demosthenes becomes a prominent voice against Macedonian expansion
• Greek city-states form alliances and leagues to counter growing Macedonian power
  • The Chalcidian League and the Aetolian League are examples of such alliances

Military Conflicts and Strategies

• The Corinthian War (395-387 BCE) sees Sparta face a coalition of Greek city-states
  • The war ends with the King's Peace, also known as the Peace of Antalcidas
• Sparta clashes with Thebes in the Boeotian War (378-371 BCE)
• The Battle of Leuctra (371 BCE) marks a significant victory for Thebes over Sparta
  • Epaminondas' tactical innovations, such as the oblique phalanx formation, prove decisive
• Thebes invades the Peloponnese and liberates Messenia from Spartan control
• Philip II of Macedon engages in military campaigns to expand Macedonian territory
  • Philip's military reforms include the introduction of the sarissa, a long pike used in the Macedonian phalanx
• The use of cavalry becomes more prominent in Greek warfare during this period

Cultural and Artistic Developments

• The fourth century BCE witnesses a shift towards more naturalistic and expressive art styles
  • Praxiteles and Lysippos are renowned sculptors of this period
• The Athenian sculptor Scopas introduces a more emotional and dynamic style
• Painting flourishes, with artists like Apelles and Zeuxis gaining fame
  • Apelles is known for his mastery of color and shading techniques
• Theater continues to evolve, with the works of playwrights like Menander and Philemon
  • Menander's plays focus on domestic themes and everyday life
• Rhetoric and oratory become increasingly important, as exemplified by Demosthenes and Isocrates
• The development of the Corinthian order in architecture adds a more ornate style to buildings

Philosophical Thought

• Socrates' teachings and method of questioning (Socratic method) influence the development of philosophy
  • Socrates emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge and moral virtue
• Plato, a student of Socrates, founds the Academy in Athens
  • Plato's philosophical works, such as "The Republic," explore concepts of justice, knowledge, and the ideal state
• Aristotle, a student of Plato, establishes his own school, the Lyceum
  • Aristotle's works cover a wide range of subjects, including logic, ethics, politics, and natural sciences
• The Cynics, led by Diogenes of Sinope, advocate for a simple life and rejection of social conventions
• The Cyrenaics, founded by Aristippus, emphasize the pursuit of pleasure as the highest good
• Skepticism gains prominence, with philosophers like Pyrrho questioning the possibility of certain knowledge

Economic Changes

• The growth of trade and commerce leads to increased wealth and the rise of a merchant class
  • The Piraeus, Athens' port, becomes a major hub for trade
• Coinage becomes more standardized and widely used, facilitating trade
• Agriculture remains the foundation of the Greek economy
  • Innovations in farming techniques, such as crop rotation, improve productivity
• The development of banking and credit systems supports economic activities
• Slavery continues to be a significant part of the Greek economy
  • Slaves are employed in various sectors, including agriculture, mining, and domestic service
• The production of luxury goods, such as pottery and textiles, expands to meet growing demand

Social Structures and Daily Life

• Greek society remains stratified, with citizens, metics (resident foreigners), and slaves
  • Citizenship is typically restricted to free adult males
• Women's roles are primarily confined to the domestic sphere
  • However, some women, like Aspasia of Miletus, gain influence through intellectual pursuits
• Education becomes more formalized, with schools like Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum
• Religion continues to play a central role in daily life and public festivals
  • The Eleusinian Mysteries, a secret religious cult, gain popularity
• The symposium remains an important social institution for elite men
  • Symposia involve drinking, music, and philosophical discussions
• Athletic competitions, such as the Olympic Games, serve as a unifying force among Greek city-states

Legacy and Impact on Later Periods

• The works of philosophers like Plato and Aristotle have a lasting impact on Western thought
  • Neo-Platonism, a philosophical movement inspired by Plato, emerges in later centuries
• Hellenistic art, influenced by fourth-century BCE styles, spreads throughout the Mediterranean world
• The conquests of Alexander the Great, Philip II's son, lead to the dissemination of Greek culture (Hellenization)
  • The Hellenistic period sees the fusion of Greek and local cultures in the conquered territories
• The Macedonian phalanx and cavalry tactics influence later military strategies
  • The armies of Alexander the Great and his successors adopt and refine these tactics
• The fourth century BCE sets the stage for the rise of Hellenistic kingdoms and the eventual Roman conquest of Greece
• Greek literature, philosophy, and art continue to inspire and influence subsequent civilizations
  • The Renaissance and the Enlightenment draw heavily upon the intellectual achievements of this period