📖Epic Poetry of Homer and Virgil Unit 2 – Ancient Greece: Historical Context

Historical Timeline

• Ancient Greek civilization emerged around 3000 BCE with the rise of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete
• Mycenaean civilization developed on mainland Greece around 1600 BCE and was known for its powerful kingdoms and military prowess
• The Greek Dark Ages (1100-800 BCE) followed the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization and was a period of economic and cultural decline
  • During this time, the use of writing was lost and trade networks were disrupted
• The Archaic Period (800-480 BCE) saw the rise of city-states, the development of Greek alphabet, and the emergence of Greek art, architecture, and literature
• The Classical Period (480-323 BCE) was marked by the Persian Wars, the Golden Age of Athens, and the conquests of Alexander the Great
  • This period saw the flourishing of Greek art, literature, philosophy, and science
• The Hellenistic Period (323-31 BCE) followed the death of Alexander the Great and was characterized by the spread of Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean world

Key City-States and Regions

• Athens was the cultural and intellectual center of Ancient Greece known for its democracy, philosophy, and art
  • The city was home to the Parthenon, a magnificent temple dedicated to the goddess Athena
• Sparta was a militaristic city-state known for its powerful army and strict social structure
  • Spartan society was divided into three main classes: Spartiates (citizens), Perioikoi (free non-citizens), and Helots (state-owned serfs)
• Thebes was a major city-state in central Greece that rose to prominence after defeating Sparta in the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE
• Corinth was a wealthy city-state known for its strategic location on the Isthmus of Corinth and its thriving trade
• Ionia was a region on the western coast of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) that was home to several important Greek city-states, including Miletus and Ephesus
• Magna Graecia refers to the Greek colonies established in southern Italy and Sicily, which played a significant role in the spread of Greek culture

Political Systems and Governance

• Ancient Greece was divided into numerous independent city-states (poleis), each with its own system of government
• Athens developed the world's first democracy in the 5th century BCE, where citizens participated directly in decision-making through the Assembly (Ekklesia)
  • Citizenship was limited to adult male Athenians, excluding women, slaves, and foreigners
• Sparta had an oligarchic government led by two hereditary kings and a council of elders (Gerousia)
  • The Ephors, a group of five elected officials, held significant power and could veto decisions made by the kings
• Tyranny was a common form of government in the early stages of Greek history, where a single ruler seized power, often with the support of the people
• The Delian League was a defensive alliance formed by Athens and other city-states to protect against Persian aggression, but it eventually turned into an Athenian empire
• The Peloponnesian League was a rival alliance led by Sparta that challenged Athenian dominance and led to the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE)

Social Structure and Daily Life

• Ancient Greek society was hierarchical, with citizens at the top, followed by free non-citizens, and slaves at the bottom
• Men held a dominant position in society, while women were largely confined to the household and had limited rights
  • Spartan women, however, enjoyed more freedom and were encouraged to engage in physical training
• Education was highly valued, particularly in Athens, where boys were taught reading, writing, music, and athletics
• Slavery was widespread in Ancient Greece, with slaves being used for manual labor, domestic work, and even as tutors for children
• Agriculture was the foundation of the Greek economy, with farmers growing crops such as wheat, barley, olives, and grapes
• Trade and commerce were also important, with Greek city-states exchanging goods and ideas across the Mediterranean world
  • The introduction of coinage in the 7th century BCE facilitated trade and economic growth

Religious Beliefs and Practices

• Ancient Greeks were polytheistic, believing in multiple gods and goddesses who were associated with various aspects of life and nature
• The Twelve Olympians were the major deities, including Zeus (king of the gods), Hera (goddess of marriage), Athena (goddess of wisdom), and Apollo (god of music and prophecy)
  • These gods were believed to reside on Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece
• Greeks built temples to honor their gods and performed rituals, such as animal sacrifices and libations, to seek divine favor
• Oracles, such as the Oracle of Delphi, were consulted for guidance and prophecy, and their advice was highly respected
• Mystery cults, such as the Eleusinian Mysteries, offered initiates the promise of a better afterlife through secret rituals and teachings
• Festivals and games, such as the Olympic Games and the Panathenaic Festival, were held in honor of the gods and served to unite the Greek world

Art, Architecture, and Culture

• Ancient Greek art and architecture were characterized by a focus on harmony, proportion, and idealized beauty
• The Classical Period saw the development of the three main architectural orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian
  • Each order had distinct features, such as the type of column and the design of the capital
• Sculpture was a major art form, with artists creating lifelike statues of gods, heroes, and athletes
  • The Discus Thrower by Myron and the Venus de Milo are famous examples of Greek sculpture
• Pottery was another important art form, with vases and other vessels being decorated with intricate scenes from mythology and daily life
• Theater was a significant part of Greek culture, with tragedies and comedies being performed at festivals in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and theater
  • Playwrights such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides wrote works that continue to be performed and studied today
• Philosophy flourished in Ancient Greece, with thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle exploring questions of ethics, politics, and the nature of reality

Warfare and Military Tactics

• Warfare was a central part of Ancient Greek life, with city-states frequently engaging in conflicts with one another
• The hoplite, a heavily armed infantry soldier, was the backbone of the Greek army
  • Hoplites fought in a tight formation called a phalanx, which was effective against enemy infantry
• The Spartan army was renowned for its discipline and fighting prowess, with Spartan soldiers undergoing rigorous training from a young age
• Naval warfare became increasingly important during the Classical Period, with Athens and other city-states building large fleets of triremes (warships with three rows of oars)
• The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) was a major conflict between Athens and Sparta that had far-reaching consequences for the Greek world
  • The war ended with the defeat of Athens and the establishment of Spartan hegemony
• The conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE demonstrated the effectiveness of combined arms tactics, with infantry, cavalry, and siege engines working together to defeat enemy armies

Legacy and Influence on Western Civilization

• Ancient Greek culture has had a profound and lasting impact on Western civilization
• The Greek alphabet, adapted from the Phoenician script, became the basis for the Latin alphabet used in many modern languages
• Greek mythology has inspired countless works of art, literature, and music throughout history
  • The stories of gods, heroes, and monsters continue to captivate audiences today
• Greek philosophy laid the foundation for Western thought, with the ideas of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle influencing thinkers for centuries
• The Greek concept of democracy, although limited in its original form, has become a cornerstone of modern political systems
• Greek art and architecture have served as models for later Western artists and architects, with the Classical style being revived during the Renaissance and Neoclassical periods
• The Olympic Games, first held in Ancient Greece, were revived in the modern era and continue to be a global celebration of athletic excellence
• Greek scientific and mathematical discoveries, such as Euclidean geometry and the work of Archimedes, laid the groundwork for later advances in these fields