SS Ancient Greece

• Greece is a small country that made enormous contributions to the world, including adventure stories such as the works of Homer, great thinkers like Socrates, Aristotle and Plato, and artworks and structures that still exist to this day.
• The geography of Greece is rocky and mountainous, surrounded by multiple seas: Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean, with scarce natural resources and only a small percentage of its land arable for agriculture.
• Sculptures and pottery demonstrated artistic excellence and idealized human form.
• Iconic structures like the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to Athena, exemplify classical Greek architecture.
• The Greek columns serving as support structures serve both functional and aesthetic purposes.
• Aristotle wrote the 'Nicomachean Ethics', a written work that addresses human character, virtues, and the pursuit of happiness.
• Plato established 'The Academy', one of the earliest known institutions of higher learning.
• The Minoan Civilization developed in the island of Crete and is named after a legendary king, King Minos.
• The Minoans possessed advanced seafaring technology, had advanced water and sewage systems, and exported goods such as olive oil, wine, and honey to other civilizations.
• The destruction of the Minoan Civilization was said to be caused by either a powerful earthquake, a volcanic eruption, or an invasion.
• The Mycenaeans began to travel from central Asia to Europe and developed in the Peloponnese region.
• By 1100 BCE, the Mycenaean civilization collapsed due to a decline in population, cultural decline, and a shift in agriculture.
• The Dark Age of Greece was a chaotic and violent period where trade and livelihood collapsed, cultural development stagnated, and the Dark Age would last until 800 BCE, around 300 years.
• The Archaic period witnessed the growth of Greek communities brought by flourishing trade and the formation of polis or city-states.
• Greek poleis or city-states were independent and self-governing cities that emerged and thrived during the Archaic Period of Greece.
• In 490 BCE, Darius I sent a larger force led by his generals to invade Greece, resulting in a surprising victory for Athens, thwarting the Persian advance.
• By mid 6th century BCE, the Persians conquered the Greek colonies in Western Anatolia, which eventually revolted against Persia and sought help from West Greece with only Athens and Eretria sending aid.
• In 492 BCE, Darius I sent a larger force led by his generals to invade Greece, but the expedition faced setbacks due to storms.
• The Battle of Salamis was a naval battle between Athenians and Persians.
• Athens had a more diverse population with citizens who had political rights, non-citizen residents, and slaves, while Sparta had a highly militaristic society with slaves integral to the economy as trading was not allowed for citizens.
• After a decade, the Persians decided to try and conquer Greece again, led by Darius the great’s son, Xerxes.
• Athens and Sparta had different forms of government: Athens had a democracy with an Assembly of Citizens who debated and voted on laws and policies, while Sparta had a mixed system with two kings, a Council of Elders/Gerousia, and an Oligarchy.
• Athens relied on its navy for defense and trade, while Sparta was known for its powerful land-based military and had a professional warrior society.
• The Battle of Thermopylae saw 300 Spartans and 6600 other Greek city-state warriors under King Leonidas VS Persian army.
• Women in Athens had limited rights and were mostly confined to managing households, while Spartan women had more freedom and were encouraged to exercise and produce healthy offspring for the state.
• Different governments were formed in Greece due to the scattering of regions, including monarchy, oligarchy, aristocracy, and democracy.
• Men of Greece were obliged to protect the poleis and served as soldiers called hoplites.
• The Classical Period follows the Archaic Period and is often regarded as the most influential period in shaping Western culture and philosophy.
• Athens and Sparta were two Greek poleis that were strong rivals with one another, differing in many ways: in geography and economy, education and society, and government.
• The Battle of Plataea marked the final defeat of the Persians in 479 BCE.
• The Greeks were outnumbered but due to their veteran admiral, were able to outmaneuver the Persians.
• The Peloponnesian League was led by Sparta.
• Comedies were humorous and satirical, often critiquing society, politics, and prominent figures.
• Athens became a center of arts, literature, and philosophy during the Greek Golden Age.
• The Greeks were curious people who tried understanding the world and it is in Greece where the greatest philosophers were born.
• Greek drama and theater were integral parts of ancient Greek culture, showcasing a rich tradition of storytelling, performance, and artistic expression.
• Tragedies depicted serious and often tragic themes from mythology or history, focusing on moral dilemmas, fate, and the flaws of individuals.
• The Greek Golden Age that followed the Greco-Persian Wars, particularly in Athens, was a period marked by remarkable cultural, intellectual, and artistic achievements.
• The civil war between the two leagues exhausted Greece’s economy and led to civil unrest.
• The Peloponnesian League eventually conquered the Athenians and absorbed them in their own.