Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece: Minoa, Mycenae, & Athens

Minoan Civilization

• Peak Period: 1700 BCE – 1400 BCE

• Organization: Centers around palace complexes, notably at Knossos.

• Writing System: Linear A, an undeciphered script used for administrative purposes.

• Cultural Significance: The legend of Europa and Minos highlights mythological ties to the civilization.

Youth Idealization in Art

• Representation: Both male and female youths depicted in a positive light.

• Women’s Portrayal: Rarely shown in domestic roles; often depicted in social or public settings, likely during religious festivals.

• Artistic Differences: Female sexual characteristics more prominently displayed than in later Greek periods.

Decline of Minoan Civilization

• Event: Massive volcanic eruption around 1400 BCE.

• Impact: The city of Thera was buried, preserving much of its architecture.

• Aftermath: Following the eruption, Minoan civilization declined and was eventually conquered by Mycenaeans within a century.

Mycenaean Greeks

• Palace-Centered: Like Minoans, Mycenaeans organized around palace complexes but were culturally distinct Greeks.

• Writing System: Utilized Linear B for record-keeping and resource management, distinguishing themselves from the Minoans.

• Social Structure:

  • Wanax: King

  • Telestai: Palace administrators

  • Klawiwphoros: Key-bearers, often women

  • Demos: Free people en

Trojan War

• Timeline: Occurred between 1194 BCE and 1184 BCE.

• Key Figure: Queen Helen of Sparta – abducted or left willingly, leading to the conflict.

• Conflict: Mycenaeans engaged in warfare against Troy, with most famous accounts rendered by Homer in the Iliad, composed around 800 BCE.

Greek and Phoenician Colonization (c. 900-500 BCE)

• Map Overview: Depicts areas of original Greek and Phoenician settlements and colonization routes across the Mediterranean.

• Key Settlements: Includes Massalia, Nikaia, and others, demonstrating the spread of Greek culture and influence.

Major Cities and Infrastructure in Athens

• Urban Layout:

  • Notable structures include the Acropolis, Agora, and various gates.

  • The Theatre of Dionysus was central for public gatherings and performances.

• Religion:

  • Religion profoundly permeates civic life with numerous public buildings dedicated to deities.

  • The Herm served as household pillars to ward off evil, dedicating worship to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens.

Social Stratification in Athens

• Citizens: Full rights including land ownership and farming.

• Metics: Immigrants and aliens, barred from citizenship and property ownership; typically engaged in trades.

• Slaves: Comprised of debtors, prisoners of war, or individuals kidnapped by pirates.

Athenian Women

• Roles: Primarily focused on marriage and children, defined by domestic duties.

• Marriage: Typically married by the age of 14.

• Public Life: Women were socially and domestically monitored by men, had limited public presence, only participating in certain festivities.

• Social Events: Female presence at male gatherings typically substituted by prostitutes.

Athenian Politics & War

• Governance: Initially ruled by archons, who held kingly and tyrannical power.

• Crises: Economic troubles led to mass enslavement of free citizens.

• Reforms: Leaders such as Solon, Pisistratus, and Clisthenes implemented significant reforms.

• Democracy Established: Around 508/7 BCE; established political power for the elite with significant economic means.

• Military Alliances: Formation of the Delian League served as a front for Athenian imperial ambitions.

• War: The Peloponnesian War took place from 431 BCE to 404 BCE.