Early+Greek+Society+(231-245)


 * Early Greek Society (231-245) **

Minoan and Mycenaean Societies _The Minoan society, also referred to as Crete, was a complex society named after the king, Minos. The Minoans built large palaces that served as the homes of kings and as storehouses. Between 2200 and 1450 B.C.E., Crete was the center of trade in the Mediterranean. The Minoans were influenced by the Phoenicians and Egyptians, from who they learned shipbuilding. They sailed to places like Greece and Anatolia, where they traded things like wine and wool for grains and textiles. Around 1600 B.C.E., the Minoans developed colonies near Cyprus and islands on the Aegean Sea that were thought to have been established in order to mine copper and have easier access to markets where they could purchase tin. After 1700 B.C.E., the Minoans underwent several natural destructions like earthquakes, volcanoes, and tidal waves. The most violent of these was thought to be the eruption of a volcano on the island of Thera. The Minoans rebuilt luxurious palaces that had conveniences’ like drainage systems. The society's wealth attracted foreign invaders who later took over Minoan society. Around 2200 B.C.E., Indo-Europeans migrated to the Greek peninsula. Around 1600 B.C.E., they traded with the Minoans and traveled to Crete where they learned and adopted Linear A (early form of Greek language). They also constructed large, stone palaces. Areas like Peloponnesus offered safety, which attracted settlers who later built smaller agricultural cities. One of the most important settlements was Mycenae, where the Mycenaean’s later received their name. As power rised, they eventually took over the Minoan palaces. Around 1200 B.C.E., the Mycenaean’s battled the city of Troy, which led to foreign invasions. Populations sharply decreased, settlements became abandoned, and government fell apart. In reaction, many of the inhabitants fled to near islands in order to avoid chaos (M.M).

_World of the Polis The city of Polis gradually emerged from Greece, considering there was no centralized empire. Over time, people began to settle at Polis and other cites. Populations began to increase, and commercial centers began to develop again. By 800 B.C.E., Polis became a principal center of Greek society. The most popular poleis were Sparta and Athens. As population and economy grew in Sparta, the Spartans gradually took more control over the Peloponnesus. Therefore, the Spartans made the peoples helots, or servants. The helots were not necessarily slaves, but they were not free. The helots were allowed to have families, but not obtain land. Their main job was to do agricultural labor and keep Sparta with a decent food supply. The helots did attempt to rebel several times, but the Spartans maintained order due to a strong military. The Spartans also did not believe in social distinctions by wealth or social status, but by discipline and military talent (M.M.). The population and economy also grew in Athens, but caused much strain. The Athenians relieve tensions by establishing a government based on democratic principles. This is different than Sparta because they focused more on their military. The Athens played a role in public affairs leaving much of the population out of the government loop. These people included woman, slaves, and foreigners. During the 7th century B.C.E., the Athens increased the volume of sea trade. The sea trade benefited the aristocratic landowners. These people also controlled the Athenian government. Pericles was an Athenian ruler and ruled from 461 to 429 B.C.E. He helped the Athens become a sophisticated society with scientists, poets, philosophers, dramatics, and architects. (A.M.)

Greek Colonization As the poleis continued to do well, Greeks established many colonies along the Mediterranean and Black Sea shores and islands in the 8th and 7th centuries. These settlements offered grain, fish, furs, timber, honey, wax, gold, and amber. It also gave Greeks the access to slaves, captured in Russia. The first colonies were established in the early 8th century B.C.E. The most common sites were Sicily and southern Italy. These areas had fertile land and had convenient access to copper, zinc, tin, and iron ores. By 600 B.C.E. the Greeks, moved west and established a colony in modern day southern France. The colonies often traded between themselves. Unlike India, China, and Persia, the Greeks built a centralized imperial state. Colonization was not controlled by central government. Colonies did not take advice from the poleis, so the settlers relied on their own resources and charted their own courses. The spreading of colonies also spread the Greek language and cultural tradition throughout the Mediterranean basin. Greek colonization had important political and social effects among the area. (A.M.)

Conflict with Persia As Cyrus and Darius, emperors of Persia, tightened their rule on Antolia, the Ionia Greeks who at the time lived in Antolia, became unhappy. Around 500 B.C.E., the Ionians revolted against the Persians, starting the Persian Wars that lasted until 479 B.C.E. During that first revolt, the Athenians help out the Ionians by supplying them with a fleet of ships. Even though the Persians came out victorious, Darius, the leader at that time was determined to get back at the Athenian society for their help with the Ionians. In 490 B.C.E., Darius sent his troops to attack Athens at the Battle of Marathon. The Athenians were the decisive victors, but 10 years later Xerxes wanted try again at beating the Athesians, and succeeded at burning down the city, but his during the Battle of Salamis his navy lost and one year later his army retreated back to Persia, ending the wars. After these wars, the poleis came together creating an alliance called the Delian League. Athens being the leader of the league provided the military force, while the rest of the poleis provided financial support, most of it going to the city of Athens. When the threats from Persia subsided, these poleis didn't find it necessary to make these payments, and the Peloponnesian War began. The poleis divided into two camps, Athens and Sparta being the leaders. By 404 B.C.E. Sparta had caused Athens to surrender, making Sparta the new leader of the poleis. About a decade later conflict once again broke out weakening the polesis while powerful cities were taking place in the north. (A.R.)

Macedonians and the Coming of Empire 400 BCE the population of Macedon consisted of cultivators, sheepherders, and semi autonomous clans that controlled political affairs even though they had a king. (S.N) Macedon underwent a thorough transformation when King Philip II ruled (359-336 BCE). King Philip II built a very powerful military advance that enabled him to overcome the traditional clans and make himself the ruler of Macedon. His military force composed of small landowners and a cavalry staffed by aristocrats owning large estates. By 338 BCE, King Philip II also brought Greece under his control; he also wished to control Persia, but it was too late, as an assassin in 336 BCE killed him. So, the invasion of Persia fell to Philip's son, Alexander (a.k.a. Alexander the Great). Alexander brought Persia under his control along with Ionia and Anatolia, and within another year, he also held Syria, Palestine, and Egypt under his control (331 BCE). (Alexander established himself the new emperor of Persia in 330 BCE). Alexander planned on controlling more empires, but died due to an extended round of feasting and drinking at the age of 33 (323 BCE). (K.W.)

The Hellenistic Empires After Alexander's death, his generals jockeyed for his position, taking over choice parts of his realm. By 275 BCE, they had divided the empire into three large states. Antigonus took Greece and Macedon, Ptolemy took Egypt, and Seleucus took the former Achaemenid empire stretching from Bactria to Anatolia. All of the three empires created, the Antigonid Empire, the Ptolemy Empire, and the Seleucus Empire, did very well and became very wealthy and influential. Historians refer to the age of Alexander and his successors as the Hellenistic age- an era when Greek cultural traditions expanded their influence beyond Greece to a larger world. This age made it possible for beliefs, values, and religions to spread over greater distances than ever before. (K.W.)

Because of the proximity to the Mediterranean Sea trade was a big part of the Greek culture. Since the Greeks lived and traded near the sea they also had to come up with a way to transport goods, which led to ship building and the cutting down of trees. Then natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes, and tidal waves left devastation in its wake. (S.N)
 * 5 Themes **
 * Interaction between humans and the environment: **

As stated above the location of the Early Greeks helped trade, ideas, technology, metallurgy, crops/goods around to different countries. Different ways of running the government and certain laws were also brought in from other countries like some of the Persian laws. The spreading of colonies also spread the Greek language and cultural tradition throughout the Mediterranean basin.
 * Development and interaction of cultures: **

Like in other countries/states the Greek peoples attacked other countries and states. Some cities or city states became known for having powerful military's which then became associated with a war god. For example Athens was known for having the most powerful military force and was associated with Athena (the goddess of war and knowledge). The Athenians relieved tensions by establishing a government based on democratic principles. This is different than Sparta because they focused more on their military. Also because of the growing food amount and availability of water the population grew and so did the wealth of the Greek peoples. Forcing the people to build walls around their cities to protect themselves from invaders which attracted foreigners to move around there for protection. (S.N)
 * State building, expansion, and conflict: **

Because of the location of early Greece, trade went from just being in Greece to trade linking Greece with Egypt, Indo-Europeans, and countries surrounding the Mediterranean. Which also increased the amount of goods available for people and also introduced more foreign goods. Like grain, wheat, rice, wine, certain animals, and tools, etc. (S. N)
 * Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems: **

The early Greek peoples went from being more nomadic to more of an agricultural state to being a more complex social state. Like in Athens they started to become a sophisticated society with scientists, poets, philosophers, dramatics, and architects during the reign of Pericles. (S. N)
 * Development and transformation of social structures: **