6.2 Ancient Greece

Greek city-states emerged around 800 BCE, evolving from earlier Bronze Age societies. These poleis, centered around towns controlling surrounding territories, thrived in Greece's mountainous terrain. They became the foundation for Greek political, social, and cultural life.

City-states fostered community identity and encouraged political participation. They contributed to the flourishing of Greek culture, philosophy, and arts. Despite conflicts, they united against external threats, demonstrating their collective power in the ancient Mediterranean world.

The Emergence and Significance of Greek City-States

Emergence of Greek city-states

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• Greek city-states, known as poleis, emerged around 800 BCE evolving from earlier Bronze Age palace societies (Mycenaean civilization)
• Centered around a central city or town that controlled surrounding territories and villages
• Topography of Greece with its mountainous terrain and numerous islands favored the development of small, independent communities rather than a centralized state
• Collapse of Mycenaean civilization around 1200 BCE led to a period of decentralization of power, setting the stage for the rise of city-states

Significance of Greek city-states

• Served as the foundation for Greek political, social, and cultural life, fostering a sense of community and shared identity among citizens
• Encouraged political participation and the development of democracy in some city-states (Athens), while others adopted different systems (oligarchy in Sparta)
• Contributed to the flourishing of Greek culture, philosophy (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle), and arts (sculpture, architecture, drama)
• Greek city-states, though often in conflict with one another, united against external threats (Persian Wars), demonstrating their collective power and influence in the ancient Mediterranean world

Comparing Athens and Sparta

Athens vs Sparta: Societal structures

• Political structures
  • Athens: Democracy where power was held by the citizens (male property owners) who participated in the Assembly to make decisions, while the Council of 500 prepared legislation
  • Sparta: Oligarchy with power held by a small group of elite citizens, two hereditary kings with limited powers, and the Council of Elders (Gerousia) advising kings and proposing laws
• Social structures
  • Athens: More open and diverse society with an emphasis on education, arts, and culture; women had limited rights but more freedom than in Sparta
  • Sparta: Militaristic society with a strict social hierarchy (Spartiates as elite warriors), emphasis on military training and discipline; women had more rights and freedoms compared to other Greek city-states
• Economic structures
  • Athens: Commerce and trade-based economy, strategic location favored maritime trade, Athenian currency (Athenian owl) widely used in the Mediterranean
  • Sparta: Agriculture-based economy, reliance on helots (enslaved people) for labor, limited engagement in trade and commerce

Relationships and Conflicts among Greek City-States

Relationships among Greek poleis

• Alliances and leagues formed for mutual protection and to advance common interests
  • Delian League, led by Athens, formed after the Persian Wars to protect Greek city-states but Athens dominated the league, leading to resentment among other city-states
  • Peloponnesian League, led by Sparta, formed to counter Athenian power and influence
• Conflicts and wars arose due to competing interests, rivalries, and struggles for dominance
  • Persian Wars (499-449 BCE): Greek city-states united against the Persian Empire, key battles included Marathon (490 BCE), Thermopylae (480 BCE), and Salamis (480 BCE)
  • Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE): Conflict between Athens and Sparta for dominance in Greece, Sparta emerged victorious but both city-states were weakened

Consequences of conflicts

• Weakening of Greek city-states due to prolonged warfare and internal strife
• Rise of Macedon under Philip II and Alexander the Great, who united the Greek city-states under Macedonian rule
• Eventual conquest of Greece by the Roman Empire, ending the era of independent Greek city-states but preserving and spreading Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean world

The Lasting Impact of Ancient Greek Achievements

Legacy of Ancient Greek culture

• Philosophy
  1. Socrates emphasized critical thinking and questioning, laying the foundation for the Socratic method
  2. Plato developed the theory of forms and the concept of an ideal state in works like "The Republic"
  3. Aristotle made significant contributions to logic, ethics, and natural sciences, his works influenced medieval scholasticism and Islamic philosophy
  • Greek philosophical ideas influenced later Western thought (Renaissance, Enlightenment)
• Literature
  • Epic poetry: Homer's Iliad and Odyssey explored themes of heroism, honor, and the human condition, influencing later Western literature (Virgil's Aeneid, Dante's Inferno)
  • Tragedy and comedy: Works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes explored complex human emotions and moral dilemmas, influencing later Western drama (Shakespeare, modern theater)
• Art and Architecture
  • Classical Greek art emphasized idealized human forms and proportions, as seen in sculptures like the Parthenon Marbles and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, influencing later Western art (Renaissance, Neoclassical periods)
  • Greek architecture featured distinctive styles and elements (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian orders) and iconic structures (Parthenon, Erechtheion), influencing later Western architecture (U.S. Capitol, British Museum)

Greek Military and Urban Development

Military innovations

• Hoplite warfare revolutionized Greek military tactics
  • Heavy infantry soldiers equipped with large round shields, spears, and bronze armor
  • Fought in a tight formation called a phalanx, which provided superior defense and offensive capabilities
• Naval warfare advancements, particularly in Athens, with the development of the trireme warship

Urban planning and civic spaces

• Agora: Central public space in Greek city-states, serving as a marketplace and gathering place for political, religious, and social activities
• Acropolis: Elevated fortified area in many Greek cities, often housing important religious and civic buildings
  • The Athenian Acropolis, with its iconic Parthenon, exemplifies the cultural and architectural achievements of ancient Greece