Ancient Greece
"Excepting machinery, there is hardly anything secular in our culture that does not come from Greece"- Will Durant
From a tiny nation located in the heart of the Mediterranean rose one of the greatest civilizations there has ever been, Ancient Greece. Her legacies are numerous and have affected every aspect of our modern world, from glorious sculptures and statues, magnificent buildings, scientific innovations, the essence of indispensible math, life saving medicines, astrology, philosophy, unforgettable works of literature and theatre, to the legacy of the Olympics. This was the first society to dare to wrestle its Destiny from the wishes and whims of their Gods; it trusted its fate to Free Will and is considered to be the Cradle of Democracy. Her gifts of have been everlasting for us to enjoy and build upon and are arguably the most important ones for the western world!
How do we know so much about the Ancient Greeks?
The Ancient Greeks (Hellenes) created such beautiful buildings, sculptures and pottery that subsequent civilizations not only strived to preserve them, they emulated and copied them. Equally important, the Ancient Greeks had the wisdom to create written records which we continue to study, debate, use and learn from. We have written historical records, from such early historians as Herodotus and Thucydides, which help us understand and interpret their lives, ideas, politics, religion etc. And, fortunately for us, they wrote down their amazing scientific and mathematical discoveries as well as their plays and epic poems.
Who were they and where did they live?
Hellas was not a single country but rather a series of independent city states each with their own laws, government, customs and armies, but they shared the same language and religion. Athens and Sparta were the two most important city states during the Classical period.
Athens was the first Greek city state fully to develop democracy, and was also a great centre for art and literature. Writers, artists and philosophers flocked to Athens, where they could work and think in freedom. For many centuries, anyone interested in learning would go to Athens to study. Sparta, during the Classical period, was a very different city state to Athens. It was ruled by two kings and a Council of Elders; there was an assembly of citizens, but this did not have the power of the citizen assembly in democratic Athens. Sparta prided itself on its military might. All male citizens were required to belong to Sparta’s army which was feared throughout the known world. One of its most famous victories was against the Persians in 480-479 BC. Archaeological evidence reveals that early Spartan bronze and ivory workers produced beautiful objects and poetry flourished. Objects from this period provide evidence of this highpoint in Spartan culture.
The city states were proud and competitive but in times of need they united against a common enemy ... they defeated the mighty Persian Empire in 480-479 BCE. From the might of Sparta’s army to the philosophizing democracy of Athens each state was unique and has given us ideas and a world-view without which we would be very poor.
From a tiny nation located in the heart of the Mediterranean rose one of the greatest civilizations there has ever been, Ancient Greece. Her legacies are numerous and have affected every aspect of our modern world, from glorious sculptures and statues, magnificent buildings, scientific innovations, the essence of indispensible math, life saving medicines, astrology, philosophy, unforgettable works of literature and theatre, to the legacy of the Olympics. This was the first society to dare to wrestle its Destiny from the wishes and whims of their Gods; it trusted its fate to Free Will and is considered to be the Cradle of Democracy. Her gifts of have been everlasting for us to enjoy and build upon and are arguably the most important ones for the western world!
How do we know so much about the Ancient Greeks?
The Ancient Greeks (Hellenes) created such beautiful buildings, sculptures and pottery that subsequent civilizations not only strived to preserve them, they emulated and copied them. Equally important, the Ancient Greeks had the wisdom to create written records which we continue to study, debate, use and learn from. We have written historical records, from such early historians as Herodotus and Thucydides, which help us understand and interpret their lives, ideas, politics, religion etc. And, fortunately for us, they wrote down their amazing scientific and mathematical discoveries as well as their plays and epic poems.
Who were they and where did they live?
Hellas was not a single country but rather a series of independent city states each with their own laws, government, customs and armies, but they shared the same language and religion. Athens and Sparta were the two most important city states during the Classical period.
Athens was the first Greek city state fully to develop democracy, and was also a great centre for art and literature. Writers, artists and philosophers flocked to Athens, where they could work and think in freedom. For many centuries, anyone interested in learning would go to Athens to study. Sparta, during the Classical period, was a very different city state to Athens. It was ruled by two kings and a Council of Elders; there was an assembly of citizens, but this did not have the power of the citizen assembly in democratic Athens. Sparta prided itself on its military might. All male citizens were required to belong to Sparta’s army which was feared throughout the known world. One of its most famous victories was against the Persians in 480-479 BC. Archaeological evidence reveals that early Spartan bronze and ivory workers produced beautiful objects and poetry flourished. Objects from this period provide evidence of this highpoint in Spartan culture.
The city states were proud and competitive but in times of need they united against a common enemy ... they defeated the mighty Persian Empire in 480-479 BCE. From the might of Sparta’s army to the philosophizing democracy of Athens each state was unique and has given us ideas and a world-view without which we would be very poor.
History to the Sixteenth Century Summative
CHW3M1-01
Mr. Switzer
Emily G.
Due January 14, 2011
CHW3M1-01
Mr. Switzer
Emily G.
Due January 14, 2011
