GEOGRAPHY OF GREECE Migration of Greeks across the Aegean Sea Asia

Peninsular and mountainous country located in Minor (Turkey)

Southern-Eastern Europe, in the Balkans peninsula Kinds of Greeks Language Settlement
Greece is the southernmost of the countries of Dorians Doric Southern part
the Balkan Peninsula: Ionians Ionic Middle part
Albania Aeolians Aeolic Northern part
Bosnia and Herzegovina Conflict between Greeks and Persians
Bulgaria HELLENIC CIVILIZATION
Croatia Hellenic Civilization is divided into the following
Kosovo periods:
Macedonia
Montenegro Neolithic Period (6800 3200 BC)
Romania
Serbia
Bronze Age (3300 1150 BC)
Slovenia
1. Cycladic (3300 2000 BC)
The country is washed to the east by the Aegean Sea, 2. Minoan (2600 1200 BC)
to the west by the Ionian Sea and to the south by the 3. Helladic (2800 1600 BC)
Mediterranean Sea 4. Mycenaean or Late Helladic (600 1100 BC)
Capital: Athens (1/3 of the population are located)
Greece mainland consists of the following regions: Dark Ages (1100 700 BC)
Sterea (Central Greece)
Peloponnese Archaic Period (700 480 BC)
Thessaly (east central)
Epirus (north west) Classical Age (480 323 BC)
Macedonia (north)
Thrace (north west) Greeks recovered Hellenic (Greek) Civilization
Also Greece consists of many islands and island Introduction of alphabet by Phoenicia (Lebanon)
complexes: Canaanite/Phoenician Alphabet
Crete No vowels added to adapt to the Greek
Cyclades language
Dodecanese Ex. Alpha (aleph) = ox, Beta (beth) = house
Ionian New political institution emergedcity-state or polis
Sporades Small independent political units (rather than a large
Saronic political union because Greece is a mountainous
Eastern Aegean islands region; love for freedom and independenceeach
RISE OF HELLENIC CIVILIZATION state is autonomous having their own laws and
THE DARK AGES constitution, army and leaders, system of taxation,
Decline of Greece and sometimes their coinage system)
Prosperity and wealth of the Mycenaean period Largest and most important city-states: Athens in
had gonetrade declined, Mycenaean palaces Attica, Sparta in Peloponnese, and Thebes in Boeotia
were abandoned 650 BC Oligarchic form of government (abuse and
Homer wrote about the heroic deeds of Mycenaean slavery)
kings in the Illiad, and other events: GREEK COLONIZATION
Agriculture had returned to a simple level of 750 BC poor farmers left their homeland (poverty
subsistence (each individual entitled to a small and insufficient farming land; minor reasons:
plot) personal adventure, political refuge, and trade)
King was no longer the supreme and Greek Colonization: Italy and Sicily, France, Spain,
authoritative leader (wealthy nobles dictate and along the coast of the northern Aegean and Black
decisions to the king) monarchy to oligarchy Seas
Introduction of iron (tools and weapons) Iron Colonies became politically and economically
Age independent; culture and religion remained
THE IONIAN MIGRATION Greek influence on Roman culture
Named by Thucidydes (Greek historian)
 TYRANNIES
Tyrant middle class (merchants) who became
wealthy > political power (people supported)
Form of government: Tyranny (definition cruel and
oppressive government or rule)
Greek tyrant not brutal; however, they rule without
conforming to the constitution
- Coinage, trade and colonization, athletic musical,
and dramatic contests
Peisistratus of Athens (one of the notable tyrants)
embellished city with monuments, stimulated trade
and industry, helped poor farmers
Development of infantry army
Hoplite heavily armed soldier
Phalanx tight formation
DEMOCRACY
Tyrants became too authoritarian
Democratic Athens
Oligarchic Sparta
NEOLITHIC PERIOD (6800-3200BC)
Livelihood: farming, stock-breeding, permanent
installation, and extensive use of rocks
Man farmer-husbandman; dominated the environment
Extended all over Greece
Plaint of Thessaly concentration
- Two most important settlements: Dimini and Sesklo
Commercial transaction
Development of seafaring in the Aegean Sea (obsidian
and imports)
Achievement: craft specialization (led to the first
craftsmen), metals are consolidated
Achievements were passed on from generation to
generation
Permanent residence resulted to:
Communal property sheep-folds, barns, places of public
use and the fortification of settlements
Private property - tools, vases vessels, jars, and
domesticated animals
BRONZE AGE (3300-1150BC)
Bronze age or also called as the Aegean Bronze Age, where
Aegean refers to the Aegean Sea where Greece, the Cyclades,
and Crete are situated.
3 distinct civilizations:
A. Cycladic Civilization
B. Minoan Civilization
C. Mycenaean Civilization
A. Cycladic Civilization (3300-2000BC)
-The Cyclades lie in the southwestern Aegean, east and
southeast of Attica, and north of Crete. The name is derived
from their apparent arrangement in a circle around the sacred
island of Delos.
- The Cyclades were prominent in the Early Bronze Age or the
early Helladic era.
-The islands are not rich in natural resources, nor are they very
fertile. The development of olive cultivation made them more
productive.
-The island system ranges from Thera in the south to Andros
in the north. Delos and Paros are among the central islands.
Naxos, Paros, and Andros are among the largest, but the
islands are generally small.
- Divided into three periods:
1. Early Cycladic I
- Named after a settlement on Naxos and a cemetery on
Melos.
- The Grotta-Pelos culture was found on Paros, Antiparos, and
Naxos, as well as Melos, Thera, and Amorgos.
- This was a peaceful period in the islands; though small,
settlements were unfortified. Huts were made of stone with
mortar.
- Grape and olive cultivation probably emerged at this time, as
did skill in metallurgy.
- The period is defined largely through its pottery, which is
generally black or reddish and often imperfect. Common
shapes include cylindrical jars, spherical pyxides, and collared
jars.
- Obsidian, a volcanic glass available only on Melos, was the
most commonly traded goods during this period. It was
especially useful for blades.
- Graves were for single bodies and were arranged in clusters.
Cist graves were lined with stone slabs or orthostats and were
trapezoidal in plan.
- Marble vases were also produced.
2. Early Cycladic II
- The Keros-Syros culture is named after two islands with
important cemetery finds.
- During this period, there emerged an awareness of danger;
though seaside settlements remained, some were located at the
tops of steep hills. Fortified walls were used. Houses were
generally close together and of a rectilinear plan. Floors were
covered with earth or stone; roofs were made of beaten earth
and branches on wood beams.
- Metallurgy was more generally practiced. The metal tools are
flat axes and chisels to tweezers and needles.
- Weapons (e.g., spears and daggers) were made of copper.
- Silver vessels have been found, as have lead figurines and
boat models. Vessels were also made of stone. The most
common marble vessels were simple open bowls.
- Graves with an entrance added or were built of small, flattish
stones laid on top of each other. Entrances allowed successive
burials in the same grave; burials extended to 2 or 3 stories
deep.
- Pottery is found in more varied shapes; painted decoration
appears: dark lines on a pale surface.
- Sauceboats and frying pans were also evident, as were
unusual pieces, such as animals sitting with bowls.
 - The Keros-Syros culture saw the development of folded-arm
figures; the variety of these figures exhibited a range of
freedom within a well-defined form. Most of the folded-arm
figures from this group portray females, with common
anatomical traits. In general, the head was almond-shaped,
oval or flat with the brow tipped slightly backward. Arms are
usually folded with the left on top of the right. Breasts appear
as small protuberances on the chest; the abdomen is often
swollen. The appearance of separation of the legs is achieved
by a deep cleft on the front and back. The feet point
downwards. Different styles emerged, and five varieties can be
distinguished.
KAPSALA VARIETY
SPEDOS VARIETY
DOKATHISMATA VARIETY
CHALANDRIANI VARIETY
KOUMASA VARIETY
3. Early Cycladic III
- The Phylakopi culture is named after a settlement in Melos
with important finds.
- Settlements appear beside the sea, in flat, unfortified tracts.
Some larger settlements emerged.
- Some graves were excavated from soft rock to form chamber
tombs.
- Cylindrical covered containers (pyxides) are succeeded by a
conical type.
- Incised decorations on pottery almost stop.
- Painted decorations predominate; some fantastical shapes
appear.
- Marble vessels become rare.
- The production of figurines declined significantly during this
period.
TRADE & INDUSTRY:
- Industry also flourished: crafts, metallurgy, marble sculpting,
pottery, and quarrying.
- Kythnos was a major source of copper ore
- tin may have come from Troy
- Silver and lead were mined on Siphnos
- engaged in trade with the mainland, Crete, Asia Minor, the
Danube basin, the Adriatic, and beyond
CULTURE/WAY OF LIFE:
- A social organization turning from the tribalism to chiefdoms
with the formation of an elite group.
- Neolithic settlers were farmers and sailors and adapted to the
local conditions of each island.
- Inhabitants engaged in hunting, fishing, animal husbandry
(sheep, goats, pigs), and agriculture (grain, grapes, olives).
- Cycladic islanders also developed substantial seafaring
skills.
RELIGION:
- Numerous marble figures and figurines have been found but
most of them are without context. It is uncertain whether or
not they were used for worship. They have no religion.
Minoan Civilization (2600-1200BC)
- First advanced civilization of Europe.
- Is named after the mythical King Minos who ordered the
building of the labyrinth.
- We owe our knowledge of Cretan civilization to the work of
the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans.
- In 1900 Evans began to excavate Knossos, the leading city of
ancient Crete. There he uncovered a magnificent structure that
he called the Palace of Minos, so naming it from the (perhaps)
mythical king of Crete who appears in several Greek legends
(hence the civilization of Crete is often called Minoan).
- Evans also established the usually accepted chronology for
the history of Crete: Early Minoan I-III (2600-2000), Middle
Minoan I-III (2000-1600), and Late Minoan I-III (1600-1100).
- He based his chronology on the residue of pottery found at
Knossos, for different styles of pottery provide an accurate
record of the successive stages of civilization at a site.
- The Early Minoan period I-III is usually characterized
as Prepalatial period, the Middle I-II period as
the Protopalatial period, and the Middle period III to Late
Minoan II as the Neopalatial period.
1. Early Minoan Period I-III or The Prepalatial era
- The Prepalatial sub-period of the early Minoan period I-III
presents the island in a closer relationship with the Asia Minor
and with the Prehellenic phase of the Greek mainland.
- Round tombs existed in the south (in Messara). The sculpture
(stamps, buttons and the similar products) is gaining in
importance.
- The spiral decoration appears for the first time in the early
Minoan period III along with the white painting over a dark
background.
- Neolithic life in ancient Crete consisted of major settlements
at Myrtos and Mochlos. During this period the Minoans had
contact with Egypt, Asia Minor, and Syria with whom they
traded for copper, tin, ivory, and gold.
- The archaeological evidence reveals a decentralized culture
with no powerful landlords and no centralized authority.
- The palaces of this period are focused around communities,
and circular tholos tombs were the major architectural
structures of the time.
- The manner by which the dead were buried in these tombs
indicate a society without hierarchical structure.
- The tholos tombs were used for centuries by entire villages, or
clans and older corpses and offerings were placed aside to
make room for a new burial.
- Most of the tholos tombs were circular while in Palekastro and
Mochlos they were of a rectangular in shape with a flat roof.
2. Middle Minoan Period I-III or The Protopalatial Era
- In the Early Middle period I began the construction of the
first palaces in Phaistos and Knossos. The Malia palace
followed. The complex of the palaces at Phaistos
repeatedly destroyed by earthquakes, but always followed
its rebuilding.
- The protopalatial era began with social upheaval, external
dangers, and migrations from mainland Greece and Asia
Minor. During this time the Minoans began establishing
colonies at Thera, Rodos, Melos, and Kithira.
- There are also saved ruins of the city. All palaces grouped
around a large central courtyard. There were not used
only as the base of the kings, but also for administration,
the exchange of products, trading and warehouses.
- The elegant royal ceramics is now manufactured only in
Knossos and Phaistos, and its products are characterized
by the term "Kamarean" (from Kamares) type (colorful
decorative upon a dark background, motion patterns such
as circles, propellers, vortices, pots with thin surfaces.
- Worship areas existed up in the mountains, and among
other places, in Petsofas and in caves (as in Kamares).
- In the palaces is already used the writing, both the
pictographic and the linear script. There are close trading
relations with Egypt and Syria.
- Distinctions between the classes forged a social hierarchy
and divided the people into nobles, peasants, and perhaps
slaves.
- After its tumultuous beginning, this was a peaceful and
prosperous period for the Minoans who continued to trade
with Egypt and the Middle East, while they constructed a
paved road network to connect the major cultural centers.
- This period also marks the development of some
settlements outside the palaces, and the end of the
extensive use of tholos tombs.
- Around 2000 BC a new political system was established
with authority concentrated around a central figure - a
king.
- The palaces of the period were destroyed in 1700 BC by
forces unknown to us. Speculation blames the destruction
either on a powerful earthquake, or on outside invaders.
3. Late Minoan Period I-III or Neopalatial period
- Shortly after the disaster, the palace of Knossos and
Phaistos were reconstructed again and the Minoan
thalassocracy was founded.
- Minoan military bases are now placed in the islands of
Kythira, Thera, Melos (Phylakopi), Kea (Ayia Triada) and
Aegina, also in Rhodes (Ialyssos) and Miletus.
- In the same time is growing the importance of the Greek
royal houses in Argolis (Mycenae) and in western
Peloponnese (Peristeria).
- Knossos held friendly relations with the Hyksos at the
Aegean, and were exchanging gifts and ideas.
- In writing, the linear script begins to prevail against
pictographic.
- Around 1600 B.C. the palaces of Knossos and Phaestos
were destroyed again (probably by an earthquake).
- It appears that the ruins of Knossos were looted after the
disaster, perhaps even by Greek invaders.
- In the Aegean, the Yxos were expelled around 1580 by
the Pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty, perhaps with the
support of the Greeks of Mycenae.
- During this period we see evidence of administrative and
economic unity throughout the island and Minoan Crete
reach its zenith.
- Women played a powerful role in society, and the gold
artifacts, seals, and spears speak of a very affluent upper
class.
- The paved road network was vastly expanded to connect
most major Minoan palaces and towns, and we have
evidence of extensive trade activity.
- For the first time, late in the Neopalatial period, the
powerful fleet of the Minoans encountered competition
from an emerging power from mainland Greece: the
Mycenaeans whose influence began permeating Minoan
Crete itself.
- Life on the island became more militaristic as evident by
the large number of weapons which we find for the first
time in royal tombs.
- The affluence of the culture during this period is evident
in the frescoes found in the Cretan palaces and in Thera,
Melos, Kea, and Rodos.
4. Post-palatial period (Late Minoan period II-III 1400-
1200 BC)
- In this period the settlements of the Greek Mycenaeans
spread everywhere.
- Mycenaean grave circles appear now and mansion
buildings. Of course, there were noblemen and palaces,
the traditions, however, of the Minoan culture continued
in the religious section only.
- The ruins of the palace of Knossos partially reconstructed,
but for worship purposes only. In general, small worship
temples are discovered in the ruins.
- The palaces of Phaistos, Malia and Zakros had been
abandoned, while there was a considerable Mycenaean
activity in Agia Triada, and Archanes retained their
importance for the lords of Knossos, which explains the
presence of their tholos tombs there.
- The Minoan population is now moving more and more in
the mountainous interior of the island (Karphi and
Kephala).
- Around 1200, Crete accepted migrations of marine
peoples and followed their own systems of government.
For this reason, we can speak now for a subminoan
season. In the 11th century the Dorians settled and the
Minoan identity limited within the eastern Crete (Presos).
- During the postpalatial period, the western part of Crete
flourishes. Several important settlements developed
around Kasteli and Chania, while Minoan religion begins
to exhibit influences from the Greek mainland.
- An examination of the changes in Minoan society during
this period reveals that most likely Mycenae controlled
Crete.
- During this period, Helladic god names such as Zeus
begin to appear in tablets, new shapes develop in pottery,
and vaulted tholos tombs appear for the first time.
- The tablets of Linear B which were unearthed during
excavations provide the more concrete evidence of this
theory.
MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS:
- Construction of impressive palaces such as Knossos, Malia,
Zakros, Palekastro, and Phaestos.
- The Palaces themselves were also the centers for economic
production with storehouses for grain, wool, oil, and
international trade.
- The first writing in the Greek World, called Linear A, appeared
for the first time in Crete.
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT & LEADERS:
- Developed a strong naval power and installed many colonies in
the Aegean Sea.
- The fact that the palaces were unfortified shows a confidence
in their naval power as their defense against aggression.
- Their system of government was that of a monarchy supported
by a well-organized bureaucracy.
CULTURE /WAY OF LIFE:
- The first inhabitants of Crete probably came from western
Asia Minor well before 3000 B.C. In time, as the islanders
mastered the sea, Crete became a thriving maritime power.
- Trade with the older civilizations of Egypt and Asia
introduced new ideas and new skills. These, combined with
the creative energy of the Cretans, produced a distinctive
civilization.
- Fishing methods included hook and line, nets, baskets, and
spears. Fig, olive trees and date palms were considered sacred.
- Dogs were used in hunting. Indigenous, wild cats were evident
on Crete; domestic cats as well as monkeys may have come
from Egypt.
- Houses were generally one story, but sometimes two.
Windows were more frequent on top. Oiled parchment
probably served in place of glass. Houses included light wells,
small open wells to provide light and air. Lavatories were set
against the outside walls. Large houses, like palaces, had a
dining hall above the kitchen and food stores.
- Wheeled vehicles were used on Crete from about 2000,
though charioteers were an important part of the Minoan
military only very late, after 1450.
- Crete was generally self-sufficient. It imported some copper
and needed to import tin. Otherwise, luxuries materials were
imported, e.g., gold, silver, emery, fine stones, and ivory.
Many such items may have been imported as raw material for
use by local craftsmen.
- There was extensive trade across the Aegean and to Egypt.
This was controlled by the palaces, but private merchants were
heavily involved.
- The importance of trading led to an increase in the numbers
and influence of the merchant class.
RELIGION:
- Though little is known about the belief system of this
ancient religion, since no sacred texts have been
 discovered, so far, from the figurines and shrines it
can be assumed that the Cretans, if they did not
worship nature and human beauty, held it in a very
high regard.
- The legend of the Minotaur the half-man, half-bull off-
spring of Pasiphae, the wife of King Minos and a bull, and
other archaeological finds seem to confirm the worship of
the bull as some sort of divine being or symbol.
- It has also been suggested that this could refer to the
constellation of Taurus and perhaps the commemoration of
some event that occurred. It is also interesting that Zeus, the
king of the Gods, is said to have arrived in Greece from
Crete.
- Many open air sanctuaries were located on top of hills; these
are described as peak sanctuaries (which appear around
2200.)
- Cave sanctuaries were important throughout the period--
though less than 40 of the 1000 caves on the island held
religious significance. Animal sacrifices occurred both
inside and outside the caves; agricultural goods were also
left as offerings.
CAUSE OF DOWNFALL:
- This civilization disappeared suddenly around 1,500 BC,
possibly due to the huge volcanic eruption of Santorini
Island.
- It is believed that the eruption has caused an enormous
earthquake and huge tsunamis that crossed the southern
Aegean and covered the Minoan towns in volcanic ashes.
- It is after that period, around 1,200 BC, that the rival
Mycenaean civilization took control of the trade network of
Crete.
B. Mycenaean Civilization (1600-1100BC)
- Also known as Achaean civilization.
- The Minoans are considered to be the first advanced
civilization of Europe, while the Mycenaean culture had a
great deal of influence with its legends and Greek language on
what later became the splendor of Classical Greece.
- They received their name from Mycenae, the most powerful
kingdom that actually dominated all through this era and the
mythical home of Agamemnon, the commander-in-chief of the
Greek army in the Trojan War
- The name comes from the site of Mycenae, where the culture
was first recognized after the excavations in 1876 of Heinrich
Schliemann.
- They live on the mainland of Greece centered in the Argolis of
the Peloponessos.
- Describes the Helladic civilization towards the end of the 11th
cent. BCE and also called as the Age of heroes because it is
the source of the mythological heroes and epics.
1. Homer's Illiad and Odyssey - The Illiad is the epic poem
about the abduction by Paris, a Trojan prince, of Helen, wife
of King Menelaus of Sparta, and the alliance of Greeks, led by
King Agememnon who traveled to the city of Troy (Illium) in
Asia Minor and fought for 10 years, eventually destroying the
city, just to get her back.
2. The Odyssey - this is the story of King Odysseus of the
island of Ithaki, and his journey home from the war.
- Outlasted both the people of Cyclades and the Minoans and
expanded their influence over the Greek mainland, island of
the Aegean and Ionian seas, Crete and the coast of Asia Minor.
- Two sets of graves found in the soil of Mycenae have given us
a fascinating glimpse of the wealth and artistic
accomplishments of this city.
- The graves in each were enclosed within a circular wall. The
older set, tentatively dated between 1700 and 1600 B.C., was
outside the walls that surround the citadel of Mycenae.
- Interred there were wealthy Greeks, perhaps from a royal
family or clan. Alongside the bodies, the surviving relatives
had deposited various offerings, for example, a golden rattle in
a child's grave. The second set of graves, inside the citadel
walls, far surpassed the older ones in wealth.
- These graves, dated between 1600 and 1500 B.C., were
discovered in 1876 by one of the founders of Greek
archaeology, Heinrich Schliemann, and are still among the
wonders of archaeology.
- Their contents include such stunning luxuries as three masks
of gold foil that were pressed on the faces of the dead and a
complete burial suit of gold foil wrapped around a child, as
well as swords, knives, daggers, and hundreds of gold
ornaments.
- Bulls' heads in the graves indicate the influence of Crete on
artists working in Greece.
- The graves tell us little about the political or social history of
Mycenae, but they do demonstrate its growing wealth in the
sixteenth century.
- Elaborate fortifications and large numbers of swords and other
weapons at Mycenae and other early Greek cities indicate that
Greece was a more warlike society than Crete.
- Between 1400 and 1200, Mycenae reached the height of its
prosperity and created the most imposing monuments in all
Bronze Age Greece.
- Between 1350 and 1300 the stupendous walls around the
citadel were built in their present form; it is significant that
such defenses were apparently needed, as they were not (or at
least none was built) on Crete.
- The mighty Gate of the Lionesses (or Lion Gate) was erected
as an entrance to the city, and the most expensive Mycenaean
tombs were built. These are the beehive-shaped, or tholos,
tombs, large vaults with walled entranceways. The grandest
and best preserved is the so-called Treasury of Atreus,
conventionally named for the legendary father of King
Agamemnonbut we do not really know which rulers were
buried here.
- Each city of the Mycenaean period was probably independent
under its own king.
- The only time these cities appear to have united was during - Mycenaean society seems to have been a highly organized
the war against Troy, a prosperous city in Asia Minor near the bureaucracy. There was probably one king with higher status
Dardanelles. and others of lesser standing.
- The war against Troy was the last feat of the Mycenaean Age.
About 1300 or a little later, various marauders began to attack - Local governments were integrated with the central
Greek ships and even mainland Greece. The identity of these administration from the palaces.
warriors is still uncertain. Historians usually call them sea-
peoples, and their homes were probably somewhere in Asia - The political hierarchy consisted of the 'The Wanax' (or King),
Minor. Whoever they were, they made trading by sea so at the top, who was the political and religious leader.
dangerous that the export of Mycenaean pottery virtually
ended. The raids by sea were temporarily destructive. But - Below him were the local chiefs and controllers who looked
much more significant was a series of attacks by land, lasting after administrative duties.
roughly from 1200 to 1100.
- Near 1100, Mycenae itself was overrun and destroyed. - The safety of the state was the responsibility of the Lawagetas,
MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS the head of the army.
- They lived in fortified citadels. Their citadels were
fortified with the "Cyclopean walls", called this way - Because of this efficient hierarchy, the Mycenaean Age was
because the Greeks believed that only Cyclopes could economically and culturally affluent, while weapons, arms and
have lift so large stones. armaments found in graves and sites confirm their society as
- The archaeological excavations of graves in Mycenae military inclined.
reveal a prosperous civilization that produced elaborate
pottery, bronze weapons and tools, and extravagant - Agricultural activities were highly organized, as evidenced by
jewelry and other objects made of precious metals and the detailed records about produce, taxes, and shares set aside
gems. for divinities.
- One of the most famous finds is the so-called Mask of
Agamemnon, a burial mask with which one aristocrat - There was a developed road system. Slavery was practiced;
was buried, made of hammered gold. most seem to have been women.
- The Mycenaeans employed a form of syllabic writing
known as Linear B. which, unlike the Linear A developed
- The commercial organization had overseas connections, and
by the Minoans, used the Greek language.
the sea fleet was essential. From early on, sea trade was
- It appears that the Mycenaeans used writing not to keep
important and extended throughout much of the
historical records but strictly as a device to register the
Mediterranean.
flow of goods and produce into the palaces from a
complex, highly centralized economy featuring regional
- The political structure (as gleaned from the extensive Linear B
networks of collection and distribution.
tablets at Pylos) seems to have included the following ranks:
- Pottery work such as stirrup jars, pitchers, kraters and
Wanax: chief administrator (at Knossos, Pylos)
chalices were made during this era. The vessels that were
Lawagetas: probably a military commander (next in rank,
exported were more intricately designed and had beautiful
had 1/3
motifs, often depicting warriors and animals. Vessels in
the land and property of Wanax)
the shape of tripods, basins, or lamps were found in large
3 Telestai: also with estates 1/3 the size of Wanax (Pylos)
quantities at the archaeological sites.
Basileus (Gausileus): minor official (baron), several were
- Meanwhile, a variety of materials (wood, leather and
within the province of one Wanax Korete: local governors (in
metal) were used in the manufacture of armour, shields,
16 administrative districts around Pylos)
helmets, spears, javelins, swords, daggers and arrows. The
Porokorete: deputies
agricultural economy was well organized and had well
Demos: perhaps a council of landholders.
distributed storage centres for products and crops. The
surplus was kept in palaces as a form of tax. We know this
CULTURE/WAY OF LIFE:
from records kept in the form of clay tablets.
- The Mycenaean society was formed by an elite group
- Important goods produced were cereals, olive oil and
organized around the authority of a single figure, the king,
wine, while herbs, spices and honey were also cultivated.
with varying degrees of power.
Sheep and goats were grazed for their wool and milk.
- The Mycenaean society with its great military strength
Goods and produce were also exported to foreign
conquered Crete and took the control of the Minoan trade
countries, especially olive oil.
network.
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT & LEADERS:
- The Mycenaeans were bold traders and maintained
contact with other countries from the Mediterranean and
Europe.
- They were excellent engineers and built outstanding
bridges, tombs, residences and palaces.
- Their tombs known as 'beehive tombs' were circular in
shape with a high roof. A single passage made of stone led
to the tomb.
- A variety of possessions, including arms and armour,
were buried with the dead, while the more affluent might
also be buried with gold and jewellery.
- Interestingly, rather than being buried in a sleeping
position, Mycenaeans were interred in a sitting position,
with the richer classes sometimes being mummified.
- The difference of classes in societal structure can, to some
extent, be derived from the goods that were buried in their
graves. It is clear that there was a strong, ruling class and
a lower group of the common people.
- The Mycenaeans followed a bipartite system of working.
There were two groups of people. One who worked in the
palace for the rulers and another who were self-employed.
But even those people who worked in the palace could
run their own business if they wished.
RELIGION:
- Not a great deal is known about the Mycenaean religion.
It has been observed, however, that it was influenced to
some degree by that of the Minoans.
- Many of the Mycenaean gods are recognizable to us as
the well-known Classical gods, such as Zeus, Poseidon,
Hera, Ares, Athena, Dionysus, and Hermes.
- There were many similarities between Minoan and
Mycenaean religions. Both focused on a mother goddess
and a divine son (and sometimes consort.) Though the
mother goddess seemed to be a composite deity for the
Minoans, a separation of roles was evident for the
mainland Greeks.
- Beginning with the Mycenaeans, we can see evidence for
separate goddesses, e.g, Demeter (vegetation), Artemis
(animals), and Athena (household).
- Early on, the Mycenaeans shared the myth that the son
died at the end of each year, to be resurrected in the spring
amid fertility rites.
- For the Mycenaeans, however, the divine son becomes
Zeus and eventually overtakes the mother goddess in
importance.
- Architectural features such as sunken basins and fresco
depictions of altars hint that the Megaron may have had a
religious function.
- Many centres also had specific sanctuary sites for
worship, usually close to the palace complex.
- It is clear that burial was an important ritual as evidenced
by the presence of monumental tholos tombs,
prominent grave sites and the quantity of precious objects
which were buried with the dead - golden masks,
diadems, jewellery and
- The Mycenaeans used relatively few temples--there are
more found on Crete than on the mainland. There are no
clear centers of cave or mountain worship on the
mainland.
- The hearth in the center of the throne room (megaron) of
palaces may have had religious significance; the
Mycenaeans, unlike the Minoans, made animal sacrifice
and burning a significant part of religious activity.
- There are very few temples or shrines that have been
found where religious practices might have been
exercised: So we can assume all rituals took place on
open ground or in peak sanctuaries. Some shrines that are
found have a tripartite structural design.
CAUSE OF DOWNFALL:
- Between 1,250 and 1,150 BC, a combination of internal
warfare and invasions from northern tribes destroyed
most of the Mycenaean towns and the Mycenaean
civilization disappeared.
- The Dorian invasion is the possible cause. The tribe of the
Dorians came from northern Europe. They scattered the
Mycenaean population and decentralized their established
control system.
- Agriculture, industry and trade activities were divided to
the villages.
- Gradually the economy, politics and culture declined and
all the trade networks with the Near East collapsed.
- Alternatively, it could have been the 'Sea People' who
attacked the Mycenaeans. The Sea People are known to
have attacked various regions in the Levant and Anatolia,
so perhaps this reading of events is more credible.
- An internal societal conflict between the rich and poor,
with the lower classes becoming impoverished towards
the end of the Late Helladic period and rejecting the
system under which they were governed.
- By end of the Late Helladic III C, the Mycenaean
civilization had come to an end with the cities of Mycenae
and Tirynth completely destroyed. The end of the
 Mycenaean civilization heralded the start of the Greek
Dark Ages.
DARK AGES (1100-700BC)
The Dark Ages as a term has undergone many evolutions. Its
definition depends on who is defining it. Indeed, modern
historians no longer use the term because of its negative
connotation. Generally, the Dark Ages referred to the period of
time ushered in by the fall of the Western Roman Empire. This
took place when the last Western emperor, Romulus
Augustulus, was deposed by Odoacer, a barbarian. AD 476
was the time of this event.
Initially, this era took on the term dark by later onlookers;
this was due to the backward ways and practices that seemed
to prevail during this time. Future historians used the term
dark simply to denote the fact that little was known about
this period; there was a paucity of written history. Recent
discoveries have apparently altered this perception as many
new facts about this time have been uncovered.
The Italian Scholar, Francesco Petrarca called Petrarch, was
the first to coin the phrase. He used it to denounce Latin
literature of that time; others expanded on this idea to express
frustration with the lack of Latin literature during this time or
other cultural achievements. While the term dark ages is no
longer widely used, it may best be described as Early Middle
Ages, the period following the decline of Rome in the Western
World. The Middle Ages is loosely considered to extend from
400 to 1000 AD.
The Dark Ages The State of the Church
The Dark Ages was a period of religious struggle. Orthodox
Christians and Catholics viewed the era from opposing
perspectives. Orthodox Christians regarded this time as a
period of Catholic corruption; they repudiated the ways of the
Catholic Church with its papal doctrines and hierarchy.
Orthodox Christians strove to recreate a pure Christianity, void
of these dark Catholic ways. Catholics did not view this era
as dark. Catholics viewed this period as a harmonious,
productive religious era. The Dark Ages were also the years of
vast Muslim conquests. Along with other nomads and horse
and camel warriors, the Muslims rode through the fallen
empire, wreaking havoc and seeding intellectual and social
heresy in their wake. Muslim conquests prevailed until the
time of the Crusades. This age old conflict between
Christianity and Islam remains until this day.
The Dark Ages Faith vs. Enlightenment
The Dark Ages were a tumultuous time. Roving horse-bound
invaders charged the country sides. Religious conflicts arose;
Muslims conquered lands. Scarcity of sound literature and
cultural achievements marked these years; barbarous practices
prevailed.
Despite the religious conflicts, the period of the Dark Ages
was seen as an age of faith. Men and women sought after God;
some through the staid rituals of the Catholic Church, others in
more Orthodox forms of worship. Intellectuals view religion
in any form as, itself, a type of darkness. These thinkers
assert that those who followed religious beliefs lied to
themselves, creating a false reality. They were dominated by
emotions, not fact. Religion was seen as contrary to rationality
and reason, thus the move towards enlightenment, a move
away from darkness. Science and reason gained ascendancy,
progressing steadily during and after the Reformation and Age
of Enlightenment. To some extent, the period of the Dark Ages
remains obscure to modern onlookers. The tumult of the era,
its religious conflict and denigration, and debatable time
period all work together to shroud the period in diminished
light.
The irony of this is that our 21st Century world is no less dark.
It is an individual darkness, which multiplies and grows as
those who reject God walk together and dominate politics,
education, and society. Our age is characterized by every
intellectual and technological advance but our morals have
turned backwards. These are the characteristics of true
darkness. Many historians and scientists regard the Western
Europe, after the fall of the Roman Empire, as completely
devoid of interest, a barren wilderness in the history of
science. Contemptuously, they give medieval Europe the Dark
Ages, and this epithet evokes pictures of filthy, illiterate
peasants and rulers, with medieval society a pale, superstitious
shadow of the Greek and Roman ages of reason and high
philosophy.
Baronius
With the aid of arrogant hindsight, the modern perspective of
medieval society is of a war-torn and barbaric Europe. Poverty
and ignorance replaced the great engineering works and
relative peace of the Pax Romanum, and the controlling,
growing church stifled development. This view is biased and
prejudiced, because the term 'Dark Ages' is simply means that
there are few written records remaining from that era,
especially when compared to the meticulous record-keeping
and prolific writing of the Romans. The Middle Ages have
very little evidence to support the idea that there was any
progress in society during the periods 500 to 1400, and
modern scholars regard the Golden Age of Islam and the
enlightenment of the Byzantine Empire as the true centers of
knowledge.
In the years immediately after the fall of Rome, there was a
period of readjustment, where medieval society was more
concerned with keeping peace and empire building than
nurturing centers of learning. Despite this, Charlemagne tried
to establish a scholastic tradition, and the later Middle Ages
saw advancements in the philosophy of science and the
refinement of the scientific method. Far from being a
backwards medieval society, overshadowed by Islam and
Byzantium, scholasticism acted as a nucleus for the
Renaissance and the Enlightenment.
The Early Medieval period, from about AD 500 to 1000, is
regarded as the true Dark Ages, where medieval society
slipped into barbarism and ignorance. There is some truth in
this view, but even this era saw scientific and technological
advances amongst the maelstrom of constant war and
population shifts. This period was not a complete desert and,
whilst we understand that raiding Saxons, Vikings, and other
people halted progress, to a certain extent, there were still faint
glimmerings that great minds were exploring the universe and
trying to find answers. During this period, it is tempting to
dismiss the Northmen as fierce, uncouth barbarians, forgetting
that their famous longboats were marvelous feats of
engineering, hundreds of years ahead of their time. The
Vikings and the Saxons were capable of exquisite metalwork
and metallurgy, with the fine swords and beautiful jewelry
found in sites such as Sutton Hoo and Ladbyskibet showing
that, even if the progress of empirical and observational
science was slowed, craftsmen still pushed boundaries and
tried new techniques. In this, they were undoubtedly
influenced by ideas that filtered up the trade routes from
Greece, Egypt, and even China and India.
The Norse sailors were master navigators and, whilst lacking
compasses, could use the stars and a few instruments to
navigate the trackless ocean to Iceland, Greenland, and
Vinland. For those of us in Western representative republics,
such as the UK, US, and Scandinavia, our political model and
idea of Parliament or congress was built upon the Norse
model. Despite these advances, it is safe to say that the
centuries immediately after the fall of Rome, from the 5th
Century until the 9th Century, saw little progress in what we
come to regard as the scientific method. Classical thought and
philosophy were lost to the west and became the preserve of
Islam and Byzantium, as an increasingly rural and
dispossessed population began to rebuild after the collapse of
Rome.
However, monastic study
Draco:
kept some of the scientific
processes alive and, while First recorded legislator of
most of their scholastic Athens in Ancient Greece
endeavors concerned the First democratic legislator
Bible, the monks of (because he was requested by
Western Europe also the Athenian citizens to be a
studied medicine, to care lawgiver for the city-state)
for the sick, and
astronomy, to observe the stars and set the date for the all-
important Easter. Their astronomy kept alive mathematics and
geometry, although their methods were but an echo of the
intricate mathematical functions of the Romans and the
Greeks.
Romanticism
By the 12th Century, centers of learning, known as the
Studium Generale, sprang up across Western Europe, drawing
scholars from far afield and mixing the knowledge of the
Ancient Greeks with the new discoveries of the great Muslim
philosophers and scientists. This blend of ideas formed the
basis of Christian scholasticism and, whilst much of the
scholastic school of thought turned towards theology, it also
began to integrate scientific empiricism with religion. This
period may not have seen the great technological advances of
the Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Persians, or Muslims, but the
contribution of great thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas,
Grosseteste, Francis Bacon, and William of Ockham to the
creation of the Scientific Method cannot be underestimated.
ARCHAIC PERIOD (700-480BC)
Preceded by the Dark Age (1200 800 BCE);
followed by the Classical Period (510 323 BCE)
Archaic Period had vast changes in the Greek
language, society, art, architecture, and politics.
Occurred because of:
Increasing population of Greece
Increasing amount of trade (market
places were built in the villages; people
began working on defensive units and
fortification)
Democracy
Greek people:
No longer lived in cities (after the
collapse of the Mycenaean civilization)
but instead formed small tribes
Some were sedentary (little to no
physical activity) and agricultural
Others were nomadic (move from place
to place) and traveled Greece
Small tribes began to form the polis
(city-state), which is where the word
politics is derived from
Politics and Law
- Laws during the 7th century BC were oral
not written, thus they can easily be
exploited by the aristocratic class.
(Aristocratic class = upper class people of
society; highest social class of the society)
- Draconian Laws (621 BCE)
Introduced by Draco
Laws were incredibly harsh/brutal
Death was prescribed for almost all criminal offenses
 Aristotle even said that there is nothing peculiar in his Gods honoured in each of the games:
laws that is worthy of mention, except their severity in 1. Olympic Games Olympian Zeus
imposing heavy punishment 2. Pythian Games Apollo
- Solon (594 BCE) 3. Isthmian Games Poseidon
One of the Seven Wise Men of Greece (Chilon 4. Nemean Games Nemean Zeus
of Sparta, Thales of Miletus, Bias of Priene, Cleobulus Persian Wars
of Lindos, Pittacus of Mytilene, and Periander of Corinth) Started with the Ionian revolt of Greek colonies
Imposed changes in the Athenian laws and settlements in Asia Minor from the
First to give the lower classes a fairer chance Persian Empire which prompted Darius Is
Tackled the effects of class inequality, not the causes retaliation to invade Greece
Revised every statute Draco written (except that of Darius Is retaliation failed at the Battle of
homicide) and made Athenian law more humane Marathon (490 BCE)
The most notable change implemented was The failed retaliation was later avenged by the
the seisachtheia, the shaking-off-of-burdens. This second invasion of Greece by Xerxes
decree cancelled debts, banned the use of ones own Salamis was won by the fleet
person as security for a loan that Themistocles had persuaded the Athenians to
Introduced the right of third party appeal build from the silver mines at Laurium
In order not to be pressured into changing these laws, he There were losses in these wars:
fled to Egypt for 10 years where he wrote political poems 1.The sacking of the
Peisistratids short line of Athenian tyrants that Athenian acropolis and Agora
started with Peisistratos 2. The death of Leonidas
Peisistratos was not a draconian ruler, he 3. The freedom of the Ionic
tributaries to Athens as the Delian
sympathized with the poorer classes; had two sons,
League soon became the Athenian League
Hippias and Hipparchus
CLASSICAL AGE (480-323BC)
Hippias and Hipparchus ruled until they faced an
Significant people:
assassination plot by Harmodias and Aristogen
1. Herodotus Historian (Father of History)
Cleisthenes (late 570s BCE)
2. Hippocrates Physician (Father of Modern Medicine)
Came to power after the tyrannicides (killing of tyrants) 3. Socrates Philosopher
Introduced isonomia (equal laws/rights) in Athens; gave Cleisthenes' reforms (Demokratia or Rule by the people):
less importance to aristocratic backgrounds * Revision of tribal and religious associations.
Made a big reform in regards to the tribal system: Before *An attempt to make the different factions and regions of
there were 4 tribes then there were 10 tribes. Athens into one people.
Panhellenic Games 1. Mixed the previous 4 clans into 10 phyles.
Greek polis or city-states were pitted against one another 2. Divided Attica into 3 regions (City, Coastal, and
Religious and athletic competitions for talented, generally Inland)
wealthy, individual athletes in the areas of speed, strength, 3. Each region was also divided into 10 smaller regions.
dexterity, and endurance (3 regions per phyle)
Had 4 games: 4. Local councils (demes)
1. Olympic Games (776 BCE) held at the sanctuary of *six demes per phyle
Zeus at Elis *2 demes per region
2. Pythian Games (586 BCE) held at Delphi -Every month a tribe will take turns at being the chair or
3. Isthmian Games (581 BCE) held at the Isthmus of "presidents" (prytaneis)
Corinth Spartas Government
4. Nemean Games (573 BCE) held at the sanctuary of - Diarchy (2 Kings)
Nemea - One line of hereditary kings was from the Eurypontid
The four games were crown games because the Dynasty while the other king was from the Agiad
victors won a crown or wreath as prize: Dynasty
1. Olympic Games olive wreath Ionian Revolt (499 BC 493 BC)
2. Pythian Games laurel wreath - The City of ionia was captured by the Persians (540
3. Isthmian Games pine garland wreath BC)
4. Nemean Games wild - Head by a Tyrant that was elected by the Persian
celery wreath satrap(Governor) in Sardis.
- Aristagoras, launched a joint expedition with the
 Persian satrap Artaphernes (Brother of King Darius the
Great) to conquer Naxos, in an attempt to bolster his
position. The expedition was a failure.
- Fearing of losing his position as a tyrant, Aristagoras
chose to incite the whole of Ionia into rebellion against
the Persian King Darius the Great. (499 BC)
-Supported by troops from Athens and Eretria, the
Ionians marched on, captured, and burnt Sardis. (498
BC)
Battle of Ephesus
- Followed by the Persians on their way back to Ionia.
- Persians were defeated
Battle of Peduses (497 BC)
- A three pronged attack was launched by the Persians
led by Daurises (son-in-law of the King) in order to
recapture lost ground.
- Daurises army was annihilated in an ambush.
- Resulted to the stalemate for the rest of 496 BC 495
BC
Battle of Lade (494 BC 495 BC)
- A naval attack by the Persians to the epicenter of the
rebellion at Miletus
- The Samians defected
- The Ionians were defeated
- Led to the surrender of the Carians and also a Peace
Treaty
- King Darius swore revenge against the Athens and
Eretria.
First Persian Invasion (492 BC 490 BC)
*First Campaign
- Mardonius Re-subjugated Thrace and forced Macedon
to become a fully subordinate client kingdom part of
Persia
-Lost most of his army due to a storm.
- Darius sent ambassadors to all parts f Greece,
demanding their submission.
- Athens and Sparta did not submit and executed the
ambassadors sent to them
* Second Campaign
- under the command of Datis and Artaphernes.
- Captured Naxos
- island-hopped between the rest of the Cycladic Islands
- Took their revenge on Eretria.
Battle of Marathon
-The Persians was fought by the smaller army of the
Athenians
-The Persians lost because their weapons were inferior
and were not ready for a direct attack.
-Persians tried to attack the undefended city of Athens
-The army of Athens marched double-time and were able
to reach the city of Athens before the Persians could.
Second Persian Invasion (480BC-479BC)
-King Xerxes I ordered the second invasion of Greece.
*Battle of Thermopylae
- King Leonidas I Blocked the pass of Thermopylae with
his army.
- This strategy was used so that the numbers of the
Persian army will be insignificant.
- The defense lasted for 7 days until they were betrayed
by a native of this region Ephialtes
- Ephialtes lead Xerxes Immortals to a narrow goat pass
which lead to the back of Leonidas arm
Battle of Artemesium
-Occurred simultaneously with the battle of Thermopylae
- The allied fleet successfully defended the straits of
artmisium for 2 days
- They had to retreat to Salamis after the Defense of
Thermopylae failed.
-Xerxes I fulfilled his fathers revenge on Athens
Battle at Salamis
-A larger allied army led by Themistocles.
-Defended the straits of Salamis
-The Persian fleet became disorganized because of the
narrow straits of Salamis
-The Persians were defeated
-Xerxes retreated leaving General Mardonius with his
elite army to fulfill the conquest.
Battle of Platae
-The Allied army arranged the largest hoplite army
-Hoplites are soldiers equipped with a spear and a shield
and practiced the phalanx formation
-The phalanx formation relied on discipline rather than
numbers. (greek word for phalanx is finger)
-The Allied army defeated Mardonius and killing him in
the process
Battle of Mycale
-Occurred simultaneously with the Battle of Platae
-The Allied Navy defeated the remnants of the Persian
fleet.
-This naval fleet also captured Byzantium in 478 BC
-With this double defeat the Persian invasion ended and
tipped the balance of the Greeks position from defensive
to offensive and drove away the remaining Persian forces
out of Europe.
Peloponnesian War (431 BC 404 BC)
1. The Delian League
- Formed in 478 BC to continue the fight to the Persians
after the second Persian invasion
-Led by Athens
2. The Spartan League
-Origins track back to the7 th century with the conflict of
Sparta with Argos
-Formed for the Security and dominance of Sparta over
the Peloponnese peninsula.
The thirty year peace treaty
- Signed by King Archidamus II on the autumn of 446 BC
and was took in effect on the winter of 445 BC
- Sparta and Athens divided Greece into 2 Large power
 zones
-The war party of Sparta was too strong
-King Archidamus II was forced to go to war (431 BC)
-In the year 427 BC, King Archidamus II died and his son
Agis II succeeded to the Eurypontid throne of Sparta
Causes of the war
- Corinth vs. Corcyra for the colony of Epidamnus (433
BC)
-Sparta refused to join the war and suggested to settle it in
peace
-Corcyra sought help from its enemy, Athens
-Corcyra promised the support of their navy which is the
third largest navy of Greece and Athens agreed.
-Corcyra vs. Athens (432 BC) for the control of Potidaea
- Athens Besieged Potidea and won
-Megarian Decree was a set of economic sanctions levied
upon Megara and this violated the thirty year peace treat
*First phase : Archidamian War (431 BC 421 BC)
-Sparta invaded Attica
-Plague infested Attica which killed General Pericles
-Athens raided Peloponnese
-Athens won the naval battles in Rhium(429 BC),
Naupuctus(429 BC), and Pylos (425 BC)because they
have a superior fleet.
- The first phase concluded when Athenian Leader Nicias
signed a peace treaty for 50 years
*Second phase: Ionian War (418BC 404 BC)
-Spartans conflict with Argos
-Alcibiades persuaded Athens to side with Argos
-Athens captured Melos a neutral island (416 BC)
-Athens planned an attack on Syracuse, Sicily with a massive
expeditionary force (416-413 BC)
-The attack failed and the whole force was lost
-Sparta took Argos and other lost ground on the Peloponnese
-Alcibiades defects to Sparta and became an advisor
-Advised the Spartans to build a naval fleet and to seek help
from the Persians
-Alcibiades now speaks with the Persian court to seek for their
support.
-Persia agreed but only in order to exhaust Sparta and Athens
-Alcibiades now wants to return to Athens
-Wanted to establish an oligarchic coup in Athens
-The 400 succeeded in the coup
-The 400 by was replaced by The 5000
-Alcibiades was made a naval commander by the year of 410
BC
Battle of Abydos(410 BC)
-Alcibiades led 18 trireme (Warships) against the Persian-
financed Spartan fleet
-The Spartans lost
-The Spartans then took Alcibiades advice and built their
own fleet with the financial support of the Persians
-Found a new leader Lysander
Battle of Aegospotami (405 BC)
-Lysander with the Spartan fleet, Attacked and destroyed
the Athenian navy
-Athens facing bankruptcy offered a peace treaty
-Sparta took hold of Athens and established an oligarchy
led by The thirty Tyrants
-Meanwhile in Sparta , Eurypontid King Agnis II died
-Leotychidas was not given the sit of the King because he
was suspected to be a bastard son of Alcibiades.
-Alcibiades then proposed that he should be King
-Lysander didnt agree with this and instead put the son of
the second wife of Agnis II, Agesilaus II onto the thrown.
4th Century BC
-Spartans dominated Greece
-Her Political skill did not match her military prowess
-Democratic parties soon recovered in Athens
-They kicked out Lysander from office and was replaced
by Callicratidas
-Callicratidas navy was sabotaged by Lysander by giving
away the funds collected to Cyprus
Corinthian war
-While being supported by Persia; Athens, Argos, Thebes,
and Corinth declared war against Sparta.
-Sparta was losing the war
-Persia was worried that Athens will again dominate so
they now back up Sparta
-The Peace of Antalcidas (Kings Peace) was signed
-The peace terms were to include Ionia and Cyprus back
into Persian hands, to make other territories independent,
The territories won by Athens be theirs and that Sparta
will be the Guardian of Greece and the dissolving of the
boeotian league
-With the dissolved league, Sparta easily captured Thebes
-Because of the failed attack of the Spartan General
Sphodrias on Piraeus (Attican town) the blood of the
rebellion boiled
- The Thebans started freeing the former cities of the
boeotian league.
Battle of Tegyrea 375 BC
-revived boeotian league (led by Pelopidas) versus Sparta
-First time that Sparta lost against a numerically inferior
team
-Athens feared the rising power of Thebes
-A Second Athenian League was formed
-After the razing of Plataea (Ally of Athens) Athens
seeked alliance with Sparta and both sent a delegates to
Persia to declare a new Kings peace
-Thebes sent Pelopidas and was able to persuade Persia to
not establish a new treaty
-Pelopidas won in the Battle of Cynoscephalae but
Pelopidas was killed in battle
Battle of Leuctra 371 BC
-Boeotian League ( Led by Epaminondas) versus a
coalition of Athenian, Spartan, Elisian, Mantinean and
 Achean forces
-This determined which Alliance will have Hegemony
over Greece
-Thebes won but Epaminondas died
Athenian Hegemony
-The Alliance was funded by syntaxeis (Tax for War)
-Athenian Generals were in charge of collecting Taxes
-Some of the members of the alliance found this
unattractive
-Athens lost most of its allies and was threatened by
Persia that if they dont let their allies go independent
they will send 200 triremes (warships) against Athens
Theban Hegemony
-tentative with no future
-*5th century Boeotian confederacy (447-386 BC)
-11 districts each head by a boeotarch
-Citizens were divided according to wealth
-Dissolved during The Kings Peace and resurrected after
the Fall of Sparta
No Hegenomy succeeded from 362 BC onwards
Rise of Macedon
-Philip II of Macedonia was proclaimed King(359-336
BC)
- expanded into the territory of the Paeonians, Thracians,
and Illyrians
- In 358 BC, Philip allied with Epirus in its campaign
against Illyria
- In 357 BC, Philip came into direct conflict with Athens
when he conquered the Thracian port city of Amphipolis ,
A major trading port of Athens
- 356 BC, the Macedonians attacked and conquered the
Athenian-controlled port city of Pydna
-Athens had two parties, the war party led by
Demosthenes and the peace party led by Phocion
-The war party succeeded
Battle of Chaeronea 338 BC
-Macedonia versus Athens and Thebes
-Macedonia won
-In 336 BC, Philip II was assassinated at the wedding of
his daughter Cleopatra of Macedon
Alexander the Great (356-323BC
-Son of King Philip II of Macedonia
-Was tutored by Aristotle (Philosopher)
-Murdered other claimants from the throne including his
half-brother Caranus
Alexander and Athens
-Alexander charmed Athens which strengthened the peace
party
-Peace was found
- In 334 BC, Alexander with about 30,000 infantry
soldiers and 5,000 cavalry crossed the Hellespont into
Asia
- He managed to extend Macedonian power not only over
the central Greek city-states, but also to the Persian
empire, including Egypt and lands as far east as the
fringes of India
-In 323 BC, He died in Babylon.
-Alexander the Greats deathis the end of the Classical
Greece and the beginning of the hellinistic period.