Classical Greece: Athens and Sparta

*Trade-based complex society

Greek city-state (polis), originated: 750-650 BCE

polis

"Elevated fort"

"Political community" or city-state

*Acropolis in Athens

Patron god

Parthenon for Athena in Athens

Agora: “market"

Agora at Athens

Surrounding Countryside

Types of governments of city-states

*Oligarchy

Aristocrats

Citizens

*Tyrants (650-500 BC)

*Sparta

Peloponnese

Messenia conquered, ca. 725 BCE

Messenian uprising, 650 BCE

Military oligarchy

Senate

2 kings

council of elders

assembly of citizens

Total subordination to state

Citizens

Dwellers around

Helots (slaves)

Stages of male citizen's life

Military cadet at 7 years old

Soldier at 20 years old

Citizen at 30 years old

Retired at 60 years old

Female freedom

*Athens

Reforms of Solon, 594 BCE

Abolished land taxes

Four classes of citizens with assemblies based on property

“Democracy” of Cleisthenes, 508 BCE

Top three classes dominate higher councils

Executive Committee of 50

Council of 500

Assembly of citizens with final vote

*Reforms of Pericles (495-429 BCE)

All citizens eligible for high offices

Roles of women and slaves?

End of the City-States

Kingdom of Macedon

Phillip II (r. 359-336)

Hellenistic Empire

*Alexander the Great (r. 336-323 BCE)

Defeated Persians, 331 BCE

Greek religion

*Polytheism

Zeus

Storms and lightning

King of gods

Poseidon

Sea

Apollo

Sun

Wisdom

Aphrodite

Sea, seafaring

Love, beauty

*Divination

Dodona, Oracle of Zeus

*Delphi, Oracle of Apollo

Temple of Apollo

Pythias

Quadrennial festivals

Lecture Study Questions

1. Review: What are the characteristics of trade-based complex societies?

2. What have archaeological excavations at Athens revealed about the layout of the typical the city-state (polis) of ancient Greece? How did the political systems and societies of the city-states of Sparta and Athens develop differently over time?

3. What was the religion of the ancient Greeks? What role did divination play in their religion?

Reading Study Questions

Hansen, et al., 130-140

1. What were the similarities and differences between the political systems and societies of the city-states of Athens and Sparta? For the societies, think about the roles of male citizens, females and slaves.

2. Why is Athens famous as a center of culture and philosophy?

3. How was Alexander able to conquer the Persian Empire? How did the Greek conquerors and Persians influence each other after the conquests?

Supplementary Reading on D2L>Content:

10) “The Rise of Women in Ancient Greece”

1. According to the author, Michael Scott, "historians have recently taken a fresh look at women in ancient Greece" (36). What have they learned about the emotions and values of women in ancient Greece?

2. What have historians learned about the status and roles of women in the family, society and government of ancient Greece? How did the status and roles of women differ in the city-states of Athens and Sparta?