Ancient Greece Final

Herodutus

§  Our best source on the Greco-Persian Wars

§  His history is dependent on sources living or remembered) and cultural concepts, making him often regarded as the 'Father of History.' He notably documented events, legends, and customs of various cultures.

Thucydides

§  Our best source on the Peloponnesian War

§  His history is dependent upon his own experiences and a critical analysis of his contemporaries accourts – eschewing mythological explanations

Born Athenian but exiled by democracy

Goes to Sparta to gain information

Archidamus’ War (First Phase)

The initial phase of the Peloponnesian War, characterized by Archidamus II's strategy of invading Attica, leading to a series of raids and skirmishes.

The Clouds

Play by Aristophanes that satires Socrates

Euripides

The Bacchae, Medea

These play writes wrote tragedies

Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides

Aristophanes

§  The Frogs, the clouds, The wasps, Lysistrata

Produces comedies and satires

Natural Philosophers (Presocratics)

Deal with understanding natural forces

Not Speculative

Thales, Pythagoras, Heraclitus, Hippocrates

Thales

o   Asked fundamental questions about how things came into existence, what made them change, or how they worked

o   Credited with being able to predict the solar eclipse of 585 BCE (Probably using the models that the Babylonians had already devised)

o   Aristotle records that he said, “all things are full of gods” and that “the magnet is alive since it had the power to move iron”

o   He adopted the view that water was the fundamental element in the universe

Pythagoras

o     Moved from the island of Samos to southern Italy and founded a society with religious and philisopic elements

o   Important watershed in history of philiosphical thought

§  He moved from “the scientific” to “the ethucak” giving the highest good to those who contemplate

§  He used an analogy of the “three lives” at the Olympics with which to value life persutied – those who barter and sell as the lowest form, those who compete as more worthy, and those who watch (Therein to watch or to theorize) as the highest pursuit

o   Believed mathematics was the basis of all things

Heraclitus

o   From Ephesus

o   Proposed a universal law that transcended the ever changing appearance of “things”

o   The analogy of the river

Hippocrates

Ancient Greek physician, often referred to as the "Father of Medicine" who established a systematic approach to clinical medicine and the Hippocratic oath.

Socrates

o   Used dialectic to clarify and debunk common concepts

§  A question and answer method that exposed the weaknesses to an argument

o   HE was charged by Athenians to be unpatriotic, irreligious, and a corrupter of youth in 399

o   Two accounts of his defense suggest he answered these charges but still found guilty and ordered to drink hemlock

o   Plato and Xenophon were students of his and through them much of Socrates is known today

Reputation in life/motivations/a Socratic Problem

The challenges in understanding Socrates' true motivations and character based on the differing accounts provided by his students, primarily Plato and Xenophon, present a complex view of his legacy.

Socratic method

Best way to develop ideas was in the give and take of conversation, and that the best way to educate people was to ask them a series of questions leading in a particular direction

Socrates Trial and Execution

The trial and subsequent execution of Socrates in 399 BC, where he was charged with corrupting the youth and impiety, leading to his death by drinking hemlock.

Plato the man

was a student of Socrates who founded the Academy in Athens. He is known for his writings on philosophy, ethics, and knowledge, particularly in dialogues featuring Socratic questioning.

Plato the Philosopher

was a prominent philosopher in Ancient Greece, known for his works on forms, ethics, and political theory, including the Republic. He emphasized the importance of ideals and the role of philosopher-kings.

The Republic

is a philosophical dialogue by Plato that explores justice, the ideal state, and the roles of individuals within society, advocating for a government led by philosopher-kings.

Aristotle the Man

was a student of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great. He contributed significantly to numerous fields including metaphysics, ethics, and politics.

Aristotle the Philosopher

was a Greek philosopher who made foundational contributions to various subjects, emphasizing empirical observation and logic. His works laid the groundwork for Western philosophy.

The Republic

o   grand treatise on a perfect society/city-state

§  Led by philosopher kings who sought out the ultimate good which defined why everything else was the way it is

Megara

Shifted alignment from Sparta to Athens due to a conflict with Corinth.

Second Sacred War

Spartans take Delphi and place Spartan oracle. Athenians then retake it and place their oricle

Thirty Years Peace

A treaty established between Athens and Sparta in 445 BCE, aimed at ending hostilities and ensuring a period of relative peace between the two city-states. Created a cold war and divided up domains

Break Down of Thirty Year Peace

Corcyra

Colony of Corinth (Spartan Ally) that asked for aid from Athens

Interference at Corcyra

The conflict that arose when Athens intervened in the civil strife at Corcyra, ultimately leading to a significant naval engagement between Athenian and Corinthian forces, escalating tensions between Athens and Sparta.

Thucydides on why Peloponnesian War happened

Thucydides argued that the underlying cause of the Peloponnesian War was the growth of Athenian power and the fear it instilled in Sparta and its allies. He believed that this fear led to the inevitable clash between the two rival city-states.

Brasidas’ encouraging revolt in Amphipolis

Brasidas, a skilled Spartan general, incited a revolt in Amphipolis, a strategically important Athenian colony in northern Greece, during the Peloponnesian War. His actions aimed to undermine Athenian power and control in the region, disrupting their supply lines and challenging their authority. His success in Amphipolis marked a significant victory for Sparta and demonstrated his military acumen.

Strategic Importance of the Chalcidice

The Chalcidice Peninsula, with its numerous ports and proximity to key trade routes, was strategically vital during the Peloponnesian War, as it provided access to the Aegean Sea and influenced control over regional maritime trade and military movements.

Athens Failures

o   Outbreak of plague inside the walls (429) (killed pericles)

o   The near massacre of Mytilene became a cause celeb against Athenian intentions

o   Boeotia and Megara beat Athenian landed force at Delium (424)

o   Brasidas incited revolt among Northern Athenian tributaries in and around the Chalcidice

Sphacteria

A small island in the Peloponnesian Gulf that was the site of a significant battle during the Peloponnesian War, where Spartan 120 soldiers were taken as hostages by Athens

Mytilene Expedition

Athenian assembly voted for the extermination of all male citizens of Mytilene and the enslavement of women and children

The Peace of Nicias

o   Athens returned the Spartan hostages, evacuated the coastal forts in the Peloponnese, and agreed to help Sparta in the event of a helot revolt

o   Sparta agreed to abandon positions in the Chalcidice

o   Boeotia and Corinth were out on their own along with other Spartan allies to fare as well as they could

Notable concerns of allies NOT addressed in Peace of Nicias

Corinth and Boeotia were dissatisfied because the treaty did not restore territories they had lost during the war, nor did it adequately address their security concerns against Athenian expansion. These allies felt their sacrifices during the war were not recognized, leading to resentment and a weakening of the Spartan alliance. Similarly, some of Athens' allies, particularly those in strategically vulnerable positions, felt the peace did not provide sufficient guarantees against future Spartan aggression or interference

Syracuse Expedition

A disastrous Athenian military campaign (415-413 BCE) proposed by Alcibiades to capture Syracuse in Sicily. It led to significant losses for Athens, weakening its position in the Peloponnesian War.

Alcibiades

Debate between Nicias and Alcibiades

Nicias, the dove, a cautious and experienced general, opposed the expedition, citing the logistical challenges and the strength of Syracuse. He warned against overextending Athenian resources and risking a costly defeat. Alcibiades, the hawk, a charismatic and ambitious politician, passionately advocated for the expedition, emphasizing the potential for wealth, glory, and strategic advantage.

Alcibiades’ scandals, recall, and flight (to where?)

Failure of Sicilian Expedition, recalled and fled to Sparta, then fled to Persia, then returned to fight for Athens

Nicias to replace and the disaster that followed

The Athenian forces suffered a series of defeats, and their siege of Syracuse failed. Eventually, Athens sent Demosthenes with additional forces, but the situation continued to worsen. The Athenian fleet was trapped in the Great Harbor of Syracuse, and their land forces were decimated

Battle of Aegospotami

§  defeated the beached Athenian forces at Aegospotami and seized 160 or 180 Athenian ships

Lysander and “his” navy (acquired from whom?)

Lysander, a Spartan admiral, acquired a powerful navy with financial support from the Persian Empire. Crucial in defeating Athens during the final stages of the Peloponnesian War. Cyrus provided Lysander with the funds necessary to build and maintain a strong fleet, which allowed Sparta to challenge Athenian naval dominance in the Aegean Sea.

Athen’s eventual surrender

Lysander moved down to Athens and Sparta starved the city out

Installation of the Thirty Tyrants (length of their reign)

After Athens' surrender in 404 BCE, Lysander installed the Thirty Tyrants, a Spartan-controlled oligarchy led by Critias. Their violent eight-month reign involved executions, exiles, and property confiscations, destabilizing Athens.

Socrates’ Trial/Execution

o   HE was charged by Athenians to be unpatriotic impious and a corrupter of youth in 399bce

o   Two accounts of his defense suggest he answered the charges but still was found guilty and order to drink hemlock

Socrates Students

Socrates' students included Plato and Xenophon, who documented his teachings and shaped his philosophical influence.

Further fall-out in Sparta

o   The Persians were again involved in Asia Minor as Sparta’s trade-off in the third phase of the war

o   The helots stirred up requiring brutal measure by Spartans to control which in turn increased their disaffection

o   Several Greek city states in internal turmoil as established political leaders had been destroyed by the constant fighting

Problematic succession after King Agis’ death

One claimant was his brother Agesilaus, who, despite initially being deemed ineligible due to a limp, ascended to the throne with the help of the influential Lysander. The other main contender was Leotychidas, believed by many to be Agis' illegitimate son. This succession crisis caused deep divisions within Spartan society, undermining the traditional stability of the Spartan state and contributing to future political upheavals and weakening its leadership

Agesilaus

Limp who marched into Asia Minor in 396

o   A reversal of long-standing policy with disastrous implications

Realignment of city-states following Peloponnesian War

·    Thebes, Corinth, Argos, and Athens start up hostilities against Sparta in 394

o   Athens in particular reaffirms its independence with the reconstruction of its Long Wall

The Kings Peace of 387

o   Proclaimed the independence of all Greek mainland communities and the return of Asia Minor countries to Persian control

o   Made Sparta the guardian of the peace (like a fox guarding a henhouse)

o   Sparta dominated much of Greece until Thebes defeated Sparta at the battle of Leuctra

Artaxerxes II Memnon (what interests he had)

Reassert Persian control over Greek cities in Asia Minor and curb Spartan dominance.

Second Athenian Empire

Established as a defensive alliance against Spartan dominance, centered around the Athenian-led Second Delian League. Protect against Spartan aggression and restore Athenian influence post-Peloponnesian War

Theban Hegemony

Began with the decisive Theban victory over Sparta at Leuctra (371 BCE), ending Spartan dominance. Formed the Boeotian League to solidify Theban power. Ended after the deaths of Epaminondas and Pelopidas at the Battle of Mantinea (362 BCE) by the combined forces of Sparta, Mantinea, and Athens

The Battle of Leuctra

Boeotian League, led by Thebes defeats Sparta

The Sacred Band

Elite military unit of 300 hoplites. Crucial in defeating Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra. Fought in a deep phalanx formation on the left wing, maximizing offensive impact

Immediate & long-range outcomes of the battle

The result was the complete exhaustion of all Greek city states and their ripening for defeat by the Macedonian kingdom

The Companions

Elite cavalry unit composed of nobles used by Macedon

Sarissa

Long spear (18–22 feet) used by phalanx infantry

Cavalry Tactics

Heavy cavalry led decisive charges, often targeting enemy flanks or the center.

Archers and Peltasts

Light infantry and missile troops that provided skirmish support and disrupted enemy formations.

Light Marches

Rapid and unexpected troop movements, allowing surprise attacks and strategic flexibility.

Philip’s diplomatic skills

• Alliance Building: Formed strategic marriages and treaties to secure Macedonia's borders (e.g., marriage to Olympias of Epirus).

• Political Maneuvering: Skillfully exploited Greek rivalries, using diplomacy before resorting to military force.

• League of Corinth (337 BCE): United Greek city-states under Macedonian leadership without direct conquest, securing loyalty for his planned invasion of Persia.

• Use of Hostages: Held noble children from allied or subdued regions at court, ensuring loyalty and creating future allies.

• Used Propaganda to wreathed his soldiers with laurel

Third Sacred War – The Amphictyonic League

Triggered by the Phocians' desecration of Delphi, violating sacred lands, leading to their condemnation by the Amphictyonic League. Philip used the conflict to secure a dominant position in Greece

The Battle of Chaeronea

• Established Macedonian dominance over Greece.

• Led to the formation of the League of Corinth, uniting Greek states under Macedonian leadership.

The League of Corinth

Marked the first unification of Greece under a single political framework.

Provided military support for Philip and later Alexander’s campaigns against Persia.

Archidamus

• Advocated caution against Athens; led several invasions of Attica.

• Diplomacy: Tried to negotiate peace but faced opposition from more aggressive Spartan factions.