Civilisation and Greece: A Historical Overview

Introduction to Civilization

• Defined as humans gathering under laws, cities, writing, philosophy, infrastructure, and technology
• Separates humans from barbarism

Importance of Greece

• Refined civilization in many aspects
• Contributions to the republic, democracy, athletics, science, critical thinking, and history
• Influenced Western philosophy and modern European languages
• Home to one of the world’s longest recorded histories

Geography and Terminology

• Located at the southeast edge of Europe
• Greeks refer to their country as Ellada (Ελλάδα) or historically as Hellas (Ἑλλάς)
• Latin 'Graecia' comes from the Graeci tribe who settled in southern Italy

Historical Periods of Greece

Bronze Age (2700BC - 1180BC)

• Minoan civilization on Crete, sophisticated urban culture
• Mycenaean civilization on mainland, introduced Linear B script
• Major volcanic eruption on Thera (Santorini) around 1500BC
• Mycenaean collapse between 1250 and 1180BC

Dark Age (1180BC - 800BC)

• End of writing and city life, little known about this period

Archaic Age (Approx. 800BC)

• Introduction of adapted Phoenician alphabet, foundation of modern European scripts
• Rapid urbanization, creation of polis (cities)
• Colonization of the Mediterranean
• Rise of Greek literature, including Homer’s epic poems
• Development of mythology surrounding the Olympian gods
• Establishment of athletic games at Olympia (776BC)
• Invention of coinage and development of the hoplite military system

Classical Age (Approx. 500BC - 323BC)

• Persian Wars: Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea
• Herodotus established the discipline of history
• Cultural apex in sculpture, philosophy, architecture (Parthenon)
• Wars between city-states, primarily Athens vs Sparta (Peloponnesian War)
• Rise of Macedon under Philip II and Alexander the Great, who expanded the Greek empire dramatically
• Spread of Greek culture across Near and Middle East

Hellenistic Age (323BC - 31BC)

• Successor Kingdoms after Alexander’s death
• Spread and mingling of Greek culture, influence visible in New Testament and scientific advances
• Roman conquest beginning 200BC, Greece influenced Rome culturally

Roman and Byzantine Periods

Roman Age (146BC - 476AD)

• Greece as a Roman province after defeat in 146BC
• Cultural influence on Rome
• Spread of Christianity, St Paul
• Division of Roman Empire, Constantinople established as Eastern capital by Constantine

Byzantine Age (476AD - 1453AD)

• Greek culture dominated Byzantine Empire
• Schism between Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic Church
• Cultural and economic prosperity under Byzantine rule
• Fall of Constantinople to Ottoman Turks in 1453AD

Ottoman Period (1453AD - 1821AD)

• Harsh rule over Greeks, heavy taxation and feudal system
• Cultural decline and population shifts
• Survival of Greek merchant shipping traditions
• Damage to ancient structures (e.g., Parthenon in 1687)

Modern Greek State (Post-1821AD)

• Liberation wars and independence in 1832
• Rapid modernization and industrialization
• Shifts between various forms of government
• Geographic expansion and border establishment post-Balkan Wars
• Participation in world wars, civil strife, and modern political changes
• Economic crises and recovery, entry into European Union

Conclusion

• Greece's history reflects cycles of rise, fall, and resurgence
• Their cultural and historical impact remains significant globally

Next Steps

• Future exploration: Geography, modern Greek economy, and contemporary culture

Call to Action

• Subscribe, like, share, and support for future content