Ancient Greece - Part 1

Persian Empire

Medes and Persian tribes

Persian overthrew Medes

Largest empire until Alexander the Great

Cyprus the Great

Conquered Chaldean and Assyrian Empire in Fertile Crescent

Ended Babylonian captivity of Hebrews (jews)

Cambyess

Conquered Egypt

Darius the Great

Extended Empire into India and Europe

Greatest Persian King

Established a model government

How did Darius the Great maintain power?

Tax collection

Tolerant of local customs and religions

Divided empires into Satrapies

Built 1700 miles of road

Army of 10,000 immortals

Currency (silver shekel and gold daric)

Zoroastrian Religion

major religion practiced by Persians

founded by prophet Zoroaster

Sacred books: Zend Avesta

Theme: Struggle between good and evil

Ahura Mazola

goodness/light - heaven

Ahirman

darkness/evil (he**)

Minoan civilization

• Located on Crete, relied on sea trade.

• Famous for palaces (like Knossos) and advanced art.

• Writing system: Linear A (undeciphered).

• Religion included goddess worship and rituals.

• Declined due to natural disasters (volcano, earthquakes) and invasion by Mycenaeans.

The Myceneans

• Located on mainland Greece.

• Writing system: Linear B (early form of Greek).

• Known for fortified palaces and warrior culture.

• Participated in trade and early warfare, including the Trojan War (legend).

• Declined due to invasions, warfare, and internal collapse, leading to the Greek Dark Ages.

Characteristics of Dark Ages: (collapse of Mycenaean culture)

1. Lack of trade 

2. No construction

3. No centralized government 

4. No specialized jobs 

5. No written word

6. Reading and Writing disappeared

The classical age

The height of Greek achievements; birth of democracy. Philosophy, architecture and major conflicts 

What are some theories of Mianoan dissaperance?

natural disasters + invasion

What are some theories of Mycenaeans disappearance?

invasions + warfare = lead to dark ages

Evolution of Polis

1. During the Dark Ages, Greece divided into many separate city states or polis due to geography (mountains + seas)

2. Each city state had its own government, patron gods and laws

Monarchy

Ruled by king or queen; power is inherited and passed down family line

Aristocracy

ruled by nobles or wealthy families; power based on land ownership and birth

Tyranny

ruled by a strong leader who takes power by force; sometimes supported by low and middle class

Oligarchy

ruled by a few people; usually the most wealthiest and influential

Deomcracy

Rule by the people; citizens vote on laws and government decisions

Athens

1. Democratic - every citizen could participate directly in government 

2. Council of 500-50 people from 10 tribes served as government 

3. Traded with other city states 

4. Created an empire with colonies 

5. Emphasize new ideas + education

6. Women’s rights limited; no education emphasized; role is running the household 

Sparta

1. Totalitarian state run by oligarchy, a senate + assembly with two kings

2. Militaristic - to keep helots (salves) from revolting 

3. Majority of Spartans had no say in government 

4. Individualism: new ideas discouraged 

5. Little impact on European history

6. Women had slightly more rights (ex. Own property)

7. Weak infants left to die