HIS 1001 BMWB+DWA - March 3 & Lecture 4 - Greeks

The Ancient Greeks

Overview

• Course: HIS 1001 - A Global History of Community, Spring 2025.

• Lecture dates and assignments throughout early March.

Looking Ahead

• BMWB:

  • Mon 3/3: No class (conference participation)

  • Wed 3/5: No class (conference participation)

  • Thurs 3/6: No class (conference participation)

  • Mon 3/10: Ancient China

  • Wed 3/12: The Terracotta Army

  • Mon 3/17: Midterm Exam

  • Wed 3/19: No class (lecture in Ohio)

• DWA:

  • Wed 3/5: No class (conference participation)

  • Thurs 3/6: No class (conference participation)

  • Wed 3/12: Midterm Exam

  • Wed 3/19: No class (lecture in Ohio)

  • Wed 3/26: Dura-Europos; watch selected lectures (Lecture 6 & 7)

Midterm Exam

• Contents:

  • 10 definitions of key terms (10 points)

  • 3 identifications of evidence (15 points):

    • Required evidence: Uruk Vase, Tale of Sinuhe, Persepolis, Parthenon, Terracotta Army

  • 1 essay (15 points)

  • Total: 40 points (bring a blue book and a pen)

Identifications

• For each identification:

  • Description (e.g., Uruk Vase, Apadana at Persepolis)

  • Origin (when and where)

  • Contribution to understanding the community in question

Essay Assignment

• Compare definitions or creations of community between two studied societies; use at least one piece of evidence for each.

Greek Geography

• Significant regions and cities:

  • Italicized terms representing cities or geographical entities, e.g., Apollonia, Pella, Olympia, Athens, and Sparta.

• Notable geographic features:

  • Coastal plains and mountains prominently outline the landscape of ancient Greece.

The Polis

• Definition:

  • A polis (plural: poleis) is a city-state; a sovereign entity governing its surrounding area.

• Government types often included:

  • Oligarchy, Tyranny, and Democracy

• Defense relied on citizen militias, specifically hoplites.

Oligarchy and Tyranny

• Oligarchy:

  • Rule by a small aristocratic elite.

  • Leaders often claimed descent from heroes or gods.

  • Driven by mutual self-interest and alliances among aristocrats.

  • Created a shared aristocratic culture across Greece.

• Tyranny:

  • Originates from 'tyrannos' meaning ruler or king; not inherently negative.

  • Absolute rulers who often gained power through support against oligarchies.

Athenian Tyrants

• Key figures:

  • Cylon (attempted seizure of power: ca. 630 BCE)

  • Draco (lawgiver: ca. 621 BCE)

  • Pisistratus (tyrant: ca. 546-527 BCE)

  • Sons of Pisistratus: Hipparchus (assassinated 514 BCE), Hippias (overthrown in 510 BCE)

Cleisthenes

• Reformed Athenian governance after Spartan influence.

• Introduced isonomia (equality under the law), extending citizenship and fostering political participation.

Democracy in Athens

• Definition: Rule by the people.

• Initially recognized in the 460s BCE; only adult male citizens were eligible.

• Excluded women, foreigners, and slaves from political life.

Political Organization under Cleisthenes

• Local Units:

  • Deme = village;

  • Tritys = county;

  • 30 trityes across Athens.

  • 10 Tribes (Phylai): congressional-like districts with each containing one tritys.

  • Council of 500: comprised of 50 members from each tribe.

Persian Wars Overview

• Key battles:

  • First Invasion (490 BCE): Athenian victory at Marathon.

  • Second invasion (480 BCE) presented defeats and victories:

    • The Greek defeat at Thermopylae and victory at Salamis.

    • Final defeat of Persian forces at Plataea and Mycale (479 BCE).

The Delian League

• Alliance founded for defense against Persia under Athenian leadership.

• Initially based in Delos; later moved to Athens.

• Required contributions from allies in forms of ships or money.

Pericles

• Prominent Athenian leader in the 5th century BCE.

• Advocated for juror compensation and citizenship restrictions.

• Utilized Delian League funds for monumental projects like the Parthenon.

• Died during the Plague of Athens in 429 BCE.

Citizenship Law by Pericles

• Required stricter lineage for Athenian citizenship: both parents needed to be Athenian citizens.

• Adoption rules for noncitizen children.

The Athenian Acropolis

• Represents a high city and cultural significance in ancient Greek religion.

• Important temples on site including early structures for Athena.

The Parthenon

• Constructed 447-438 BCE, notable dimensions and architecture.

• Significant events include conversion to various religious uses over centuries and destruction in the 1687 siege.

Parthenon Sculptures and Frieze

• Representations of mythical battles (Centauromachy, Gigantomachy).

• Equestrian figures and gods shown in reliefs and pediments.

Emergency Currency

• Examples of Athenian currency including tetradrachm and diobol featuring Athena imagery, reflecting Athenian identity and power.

Key Terms

• Acropolis, Delian League, Democracy, Oligarchy, Parthenon, Pericles, Persian Wars, Pheidias.