Around the Aegean

1
Around the Aegean

• Foundations
• Classical Era

2
What were the geographic influences in the
development of the Greek city states and later
empire?

• Greece depended entirely on rainfall for
  agriculture
• rocky terrain - overland travel, trading, and
  communication very difficult
• Small city-states developed - commerce was linked
  to the sea

3
In what way are the geographical influences
different for the development of Greek
civilization than river valley civilizations and
those in the Americas?

• Crete and Greek mainland civilizations were the
  results of the fertilizing influence of
  previously established civilizations
• Few natural resources unsuitable farming land
  import lots of food
• Seaborne trade results in commercial and
  political relations with other peoples in the
  region

4
How was Persian religious experience different
than other early civilizations?

• Persians believed that water was not to be
  damaged and worshiped fire at special altars
• continued to worship some major deities from
  their pagan past
• Zoroastrianism fostered the belief in one supreme
  deity, encouraged moral and ethical virtues, and
  promised salvation
• Believed that individuals would be rewarded or
  punished in the afterlife for their actions

5
Democracy in Greece? Accidental or Inevitable?

• Citizenship was eventually extended to all free,
  adult males
• Greek democracy was not truly democratic
  because a sizable portion of the population
  (women, slaves, and immigrants) were not citizens
  
• It was a daring and influential experiment with
  non-monarchal government

6
What is the relationship between the trade and
wealth of the Athenians and their acknowledged
legacy to knowledge?

• Athenian wealth supported the arts and sciences,
  and traveling teachers
• Athenians trained by Sophists had an advantage in
  politics and the courts
• Socrates was brought to trial for corrupting
  Athenian youth and introducing unorthodox
  religious beliefs
• His trial revealed intellectual, social, and
  political divisions in Athens and changed the
  course of intellectual life.
• Platos Academy became an institution for higher
  education. The Socratic method of question and
  answer became a new way of reaching a deeper
  understanding of intellectual issues

7
What connection do you see between the ancient
battle of Greece and Persia and present day
conflicts?

• The Persian Wars began when Persia responded to a
  revolt of Greeks in Persian-controlled
  territories
• Today the western world and the Middle East still
  have conflicts of belief surrounding religious,
  cultural and social ideals

8
How was the culture of Greece dispersed and
allowed to become their greatest legacy?

• The Hellenistic Age - from about 323 to 30 B.C.E.
  
• During the Hellenistic Age, Greek culture acted
  as the dominant influence on northeastern Africa
  and western Asia
• The city of Alexandria in Egypt epitomized the
  Hellenistic Age through its art and architecture,
  its great library, and its cosmopolitan culture
• Greeks culture remained a powerful influence on
  these areas

9
How do the political strengths of the Persian
Empire contribute to its expansive nature over
time and space?

• The empire was divided into twenty provinces,
  each ruled by a Persian satrap or governor.
• The Persians also maintained their control by
  building patrolling the royal roads
• Darius was also famous for his law code, law of
  the King.
• The Persians succeeded because they were willing
  to adapt to local circumstances, to learn from
  those with experience, and to utilize the skills
  of non-Persians.