Overview
This lecture covered the rise, fall, and legacy of ancient Greek civilization, emphasizing its diversity, innovations, wars, and influence on later cultures.
Early Civilizations of Greece
- The Minoan civilization on Crete was advanced, peaceful, and known for its palaces and undeciphered writing.
- The eruption at Santorini (Thera) destroyed Minoan culture, possibly inspiring the Atlantis myth.
- Mycenaean Greeks conquered Crete, built fortified cities, and used Linear B, the earliest form of Greek.
The Dark Ages and Homer
- Invasions led to the fall of Mycenaean civilization and the Greek Dark Ages, marked by loss of literacy.
- The epics Iliad and Odyssey, attributed to Homer, reflect daily life during these times.
- Greek society had regressed, using cattle for money and losing earlier advancements.
Development of City-States (Polis)
- Greece became a collection of independent city-states (poleis) divided by geography and lacking a unified nation.
- Colonization spread Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean, with hundreds of colonies founded.
- Greek alphabet and coinage were borrowed from neighboring cultures like the Phoenicians.
Athens and Sparta
- Spartans, descendants of Dorians, created a militaristic state to control the helots (serfs).
- In Athens, conflict between classes led to tyranny and eventually direct democracy for male citizens.
- Ancient Greek democracy was direct and excluded women, slaves, and foreigners.
Persian Wars and Golden Age
- Persian attempts to conquer Greece united city-states; key battles included Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis.
- Military innovations included the phalanx and development of a powerful navy.
- Athens formed a maritime league and moved the treasury to the Parthenon, using it as a central bank.
- Athens reached its cultural peak under Pericles, advancing drama, philosophy, and architecture.
Decline and Macedonian Rise
- Rivalry between Athens and Sparta led to the destructive Peloponnesian War, weakening all Greek cities.
- Macedonia, under Philip II and then Alexander the Great, unified Greece and conquered much of the known world.
- Alexander's conquests spread Greek culture (Hellenism) across Asia, blending with Eastern traditions.
Roman Conquest and Legacy
- Rome conquered Greece and Egypt but adopted Greek language, literature, and culture.
- Constantinople became a center of Greek civilization in the Byzantine Empire, prolonging Greek cultural influence.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Minoans — Early peaceful civilization on Crete, known for palaces and undeciphered writing.
- Mycenaeans — Warlike Greek-speaking people who dominated after the Minoans.
- Dark Ages — Period after Mycenaean collapse; loss of literacy and cultural decline.
- Polis — Independent Greek city-state.
- Helots — Serfs in Spartan society, outnumbering Spartans.
- Direct democracy — Citizens vote directly on laws and policies; practiced in Athens.
- Phalanx — Close infantry formation key to Greek warfare.
- Hellenism — The spread and blending of Greek culture following Alexander's conquests.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Greek key terms and their historical significance.
- Read about the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars for deeper context.
- Study the impact of Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic era.