Ancient Greek Civilization: History, Culture, and Legacy
Ancient Greek Civilization
Introduction
Greece: Located on the southern Balkan peninsula, Asia Minor, and the eastern Mediterranean islands, Greece was the cradle of Hellenic civilization. The Greeks (Hellas): With the Aegean Sea at its heart, the Greeks’ influence on politics, society, culture, thought, and art has endured for millennia.
Background
Cretan Culture (Minoan): Flourishing from 3000 BC, the Minoan civilization, centered on Crete, boasted impressive palaces like Knossos and Phaistos. Mycenaean Culture: Around 1500 BC, the Achaeans invaded Greece, influencing Cretan culture. With Mycenae as its capital, this civilization thrived until around 1200 BC when Dorian invaders caused its decline, scattering the population into villages.
The Polis
From the 8th century BC, the polis emerged as a central political unit, encompassing the city, surrounding land, and villages. Each polis was independent, with its own laws, currency, and sanctuaries. Over 200 poleis existed in Hellas, united by shared language, religion, and thought, forming the foundation of Hellenic civilization. The Greeks adapted the Phoenician alphabet, adding vowels.
Government
Various forms of government existed: Monarchy (hereditary rule by a king), Oligarchy (rule by the aristocracy), Tyranny (rule by a dictator), and Democracy (rule by the people).
City Life
The Acropolis, a fortified high area, housed temples and served as a refuge. The Agora, a public square, was a place for citizens to discuss important matters. Other key features included the gymnasium, library, theater, and stadium. Citizens with political rights managed the polis. Foreigners, while free, lacked the same rights. Slavery was also prevalent.
Economy
Agriculture: Dryland farming produced grapes, olives, and nuts. Livestock: Goats, sheep, and pigs were raised. Commerce: Trade flourished across the Aegean and Mediterranean. Colonies: Independent colonies were established along the coasts of Asia Minor, the Black Sea (e.g., Miletus, Rhodes, Byzantium), southern Italy (e.g., Cumae, Tarentum, Syracuse), Sicily (Magna Graecia), and the Iberian Peninsula (e.g., Emporion).
Athens and Sparta
During the 5th century BC, Athens and Sparta were the most prominent poleis. Athens: Located in Attica, Athens was a democracy where the Assembly (Ecclesia) made decisions on war and peace, advised by the Council of 500 (Boule). Pericles: A prominent leader, Pericles guided Athens for 30 years during the 5th century BC, establishing it as a powerful cultural center. Sparta: Located on the Peloponnesian Peninsula, Sparta was an oligarchy ruled by two kings, a council of 28 elders (Gerousia), and an assembly. Spartans were renowned warriors.
The Persian and Peloponnesian Wars
Persian Wars (5th century BC): Greek poleis united to defeat the Persian Empire, with key battles at Marathon and Salamis. Athens played a crucial role. The Delian League, an alliance of Greek poleis, was formed. Peloponnesian War: A conflict between Athens and Sparta and their respective allies.
Hellenism
Following the decline of the polis, Philip II of Macedon conquered Greece, establishing a hereditary monarchy. His son, Alexander the Great, expanded the empire, conquering vast territories including Asia Minor, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Persia. He founded cities like Alexandria. This era, marked by the spread of Greek language, culture, and lifestyle, is known as Hellenism. Alexander died in 323 BC at age 32, and his empire was divided among his generals, forming the Hellenistic kingdoms.
Greek Culture
Philosophy: Notable figures include Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Literature: Homer’s epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, are foundational works. Lyric poetry and theater (comedy and tragedy, with playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides) flourished. Politics: Democracy emerged as a significant political system. Art: Greek art established enduring aesthetic standards. Science and Letters: Archimedes (physics), Hippocrates (medicine), Euclid and Pythagoras (mathematics), and Herodotus and Thucydides (history) made significant contributions. Greek culture spread throughout the Mediterranean, influencing the Romans.
Religion
The Greeks were polytheistic, worshipping a pantheon of gods with human-like qualities but immortal. Zeus was the king of the gods. Oracles, like the one at Delphi dedicated to Apollo, played a significant role. Heroes, born of gods and mortals (e.g., Hercules), were also venerated. Each polis had its patron deity. Mount Olympus was the mythical home of the gods. The Olympic Games were a major religious and athletic festival.
Greek Art
: classical canons, architecture: adinteladas (columns, walls, kitchen utensils hold flat or arch or vault) was most prominent temple, surrounded by rectangular columns on a stairway differed architectural orders Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. part most famous Parthenon by fideas, the erection and Athena Nike Sculpture: human figure in limestone, marble or bronze, three periods: Archaic, 7th century y6 º a.C, figures cement and male ones, stiff and poko expressive classical period: 5th century BC , pursuing the ideal beauty Polykleitos with Doryphorus fideas Parthenon, miron discovoro, praxitelex hermes. Hellenistic period: 4th century y3 º a, C, moving figures, notes Laocoon and his sons and the Victory of Samothrace and Venus de Milo.