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GREECE 2000 BCE to 300 BCE

Overview

Greece's historical timeline spans from 2000 BCE to 300 BCE, showcasing the evolution of societies, political structures, cultural developments, and conquests.

Key Societies and Periods

• Minoan Society

• Mycenaean Society

• The Polis

• Greek Colonization

• Macedonian Conquest

• The Hellenistic Period

• Greek Economy and Society

• Greek Culture

Page 4: Greek Colonies

Greece established numerous colonies across the Mediterranean, serving as cultural brokers and trading hubs. Major cities included:

• Cheronesus, Massilia (Marseille), Sinope, and more in the Black Sea region.

• Alalia, Byzantium, Epidamnus on the Iberian Peninsula.

• Corinth, Athens, Miletus, Sparta, and Rhodes in mainland Greece and nearby islands.

Page 5: Timeline

Greece's significant timelines include:

• 2200-1100 BCE: Minoan civilization flourished.

• 1660-1100 BCE: Rise of Mycenaean culture.

• 800-338 BCE: Development of the polis.

• 500-479 BCE: Persian Wars.

• 431-404 BCE: The Peloponnesian Wars.

• 336-326 BCE: Reign and conquests of Alexander the Great.

Page 6: Minoan Society

• Origins: The Minoan society began on the island of Crete, named after the legendary King Minos.

• Notable Features:

  • Known for extensive palaces, especially Knossos, which served as the administrative and commercial center.

  • Developed a writing system called Linear A.

  • Renowned for maritime trade of wine, olive oil, and textiles, importing grains and textiles in return.

• Colonial Expansion: Founded colonies in Cyprus and other Aegean Sea islands, enhancing trade relations.

Page 8: Minoan Decline

• The Minoan decline was marked by several natural disasters, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions around 1700 BCE.

• Key Events:

  • Around 1628 BCE, a catastrophe in Santorini impacted their civilization.

  • A phase of renewed palace-building occurred from 1600-1450 BCE, showcasing advanced engineering like indoor plumbing.

  • Post-1450 BCE, the Minoan civilization faced invasions that led to their takeover.

Page 10: Mycenaean Society

• Arrival: Indo-European populations began migrating into the Greek peninsula around 2200 BCE, establishing dominance around 1500 BCE.

• Characteristics:

  • Developed fortified settlements with significant trade networks, particularly with the Minoans.

  • Utilized a syllabic script, Linear B.

  • Controlled Crete and expanded colonies into Anatolia, Sicily, and Southern Italy.

Page 12: The Trojan War

• The celebrated Trojan War around 1200 BCE, described by Homer, was a context of regional instability leading to societal decline.

• Consequences:

  • Turbulent times from 1100 to 800 BCE included conflicts, government instability, and population decrease, leading to ruin and abandonment of settlements.

Page 13: The Polis

• Definition and Role: A polis refers to a city-state, often serving as a fortified center of power managing taxes and warfare.

• Government Forms:

  • Ruled by wealthiest oligarchs or sometimes had monarchies or tyrants, with Sparta and Athens as prime examples.

  • Features such as the Acropolis (fortified area) and Agora (public space) were prominent.

Page 15: Government Types in Greece

• Monarchy: Governed by kings/queens with power inheriting through lineage.

• Oligarchy: A few wealthy individuals held power, primarily elite classes dictating laws.

• Tyranny: One individual (a tyrant) seized power, often military leaders, sometimes leading to significant reforms.

• Democracy: Established during 500-400 BCE, where male citizens had direct votes on legislation, notably in Athens, termed Athenian democracy.

Page 18: Spartan vs. Athenian Society

• Spartan Society:

  • Focused on military discipline and had a serf-like population, the Helots.

  • Education prioritized physical fitness and stringent discipline.

• Athenian Society:

  • Known for its democratic ideals and cultural focus including philosophy and arts, with prominent leaders like Solon and Pericles.

Page 26: The Delian League

• Formation: Established in 478 BCE for collective defense against Persia with Athens as the leading power, contributing ships and soldiers while other city-states provided financial support.

• Impact: Strengthened Athenian dominance under leaders such as Pericles.

Page 29: Macedonian Conquest

• Philip II of Macedon: Reigned from 359-336 BCE, unified Greece and aimed to expand into Persia, laying the groundwork for his son, Alexander.

• Alexander the Great: Followed Philip II’s assassination in 336 BCE, known for his strategic prowess and extensive conquests, forming a vast empire before his death in 323 BCE.

Page 32: The Hellenistic Empires

• After Alexander’s death, his empire dissolved into three main territories:

  • Antigonid Empire

  • Ptolemaic Empire

  • Seleucid Empire

• These empires facilitated the spread of Greek culture and language across vast regions.

Page 38: Greek Economy and Society

• Economic Structure: Thrived on maritime trade facilitated by colonies, exchanging goods like olives and grains.

• Social Hierarchy: Society was male-dominated, with restricted rights for women and reliance on slave labor for economic activities.

Page 40: Greek Culture

• Religion: Polytheistic beliefs centered around a pantheon of gods.

• Architectural Styles: Included Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns.

• Notable Individuals: Influential sculptors and philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle made substantial contributions to Western thought.

Page 58: Discussion Questions

1. Where did the Minoan culture go?

2. Homer: Myth or Fact?

3. Who started the Persian Wars?

4. Why didn’t Athens have a king?

5. Who would you be: Athenian or Spartan?

6. Was the Peloponnesian War a fratricidal conflict?

7. Greek colonies vs. settlements: a modern view.

Greece's historical timeline, spanning from 2000 BCE to 300 BCE, chronicles the transformation of societies and pivotal events that shaped the region. Two major societies of this era are the Minoans, celebrated for their expansive maritime trade, impressive palaces—most notably the Palace of Knossos—and the development of the writing system known as Linear A. Conversely, the Mycenaean civilization emerged later, characterized by fortified settlements and the use of Linear B for record-keeping.

Additionally, the concept of the polis, or city-state, became prominent, serving as centers of governance and military power. This period also saw the development of democracy in Athens, which contrasted sharply with Spartan society, known for its rigorous military training and discipline. The Macedonian conquest, led by Philip II and continued by his son Alexander the Great, marked significant territorial expansion and the spread of Greek influence.

After Alexander's death in 323 BCE, his vast empire fragmented into three main regions: the Antigonid Empire, the Ptolemaic Empire, and the Seleucid Empire, all of which played a crucial role in disseminating Greek culture and language across a broad expanse. Noteworthy events during this timeline include the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian Wars, both of which had significant effects on Greek unity and societal structures.