Lecture Notes: The History of Greek Civilization

Introduction to Greek Civilization

• Civilization defined by laws, cities, philosophy, and technology.
• Greece: a significant cultural and historical influencer.
• Greek language, alphabets, and philosophy shape modern Western culture.

Geography and Early History

• Located at the southeastern edge of Europe.
• Known as Hellas in classical times, and Ellada by modern Greeks.
• Record of human presence in Greece for around 200,000 years.
• Farming began around 7000 BC; the Minoan civilization flourished around 2700 BC.

The Ages of Greek History

1. The Bronze Age

• Minoans: first advanced European civilization on Crete.
• Mycenaeans: first evidence of Greek language with Linear B script.
• Volcanic eruption on Thera (Santorini) around 1500 BC, possibly inspired Atlantis myth.
• Collapse of Mycenaean civilization around 1250-1180 BC leads to a Dark Age.

2. The Archaic Age

• Introduction of the Greek alphabet around 800 BC.
• Formation of the polis, or city-state; rise of Athens and democracy.
• Colonization across the Mediterranean due to population growth.
• Literature flourishes with Homer and other poets; Greek mythology formed.

3. The Classical Age

• Persian Wars: Greeks vs. Persian Empire (battles of Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea).
• Development of history as a subject by Herodotus.
• Cultural apex: advancements in sculpture, philosophy (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle), architecture (Parthenon), and drama.
• Peloponnesian War: Athens vs. Sparta; rise of Macedonian power under Philip II.

4. The Hellenistic Age

• Alexander the Great expands Greek culture across the Middle East.
• Division into Successor Kingdoms after Alexander's death in 323 BC.
• Greek culture and language spread widely, influencing regions for centuries.

5. The Roman Age

• Greece falls under Roman control after the Battle of Corinth in 146 BC.
• Greek culture influences Roman arts, philosophy, and education.
• Greek language remains prominent in the Eastern Mediterranean.

6. The Byzantine Age

• Roman Empire's eastern half, centred in Constantinople, continues Greek legacy.
• Greek becomes official language in the 7th century.
• Byzantine art and Orthodox Christianity flourish.

7. The Ottoman Age

• Fall of Constantinople in 1453, Greek lands under Ottoman control.
• Economic decline, but gain in shipping control.
• Harsh Ottoman policies, including the "tribute of children."

8. The Modern Age

• Greek War of Independence (1821-1832) leads to modern state formation.
• Rapid modernization and Westernization policies post-independence.
• Political instability, with oscillations between monarchy and democracy.
• Entry into EU, economic challenges in the 2008 financial crisis.
• Resilience in modern times, with a focus on shipping, tourism, and agriculture.

Conclusion

• Greece's impact over 5,000 years of history.
• The cycle of rise and fall, resilience, and cultural influence.
• Anticipation for Part 2 covering modern Greek geography, economy, and culture.

Note: This lecture covered the broad spectrum of Greek history and its significant impact on the world, paving the way for a deeper exploration into modern Greece's geography and culture in the next part.