Chapter 5Chapter 5

Section 2:Section 2:

Greek Government and Greek Government and SocietySociety

Greek CultureGreek CultureEarly on: few could read & Early on: few could read &

write.write. Need for Verbal Need for Verbal

communicationcommunicationTraveling poets: Traveling poets:

–Songs, Ballads, EpicsSongs, Ballads, Epics

Homeric AgeHomeric Age Homer: blind poetHomer: blind poet 700 B.C. – put Oral 700 B.C. – put Oral

history into two epicshistory into two epics–Did he write these works?Did he write these works?

The IliadThe IliadThe Iliad: Legend of Trojan The Iliad: Legend of Trojan

WarWar–Paris (Troy) and Helen Paris (Troy) and Helen

(Mycenaean): Fall in love (Mycenaean): Fall in love and sail back to Troy and sail back to Troy together.together.

–Greeks attack TroyGreeks attack Troy

The Trojan WarThe Trojan WarLasted 10 years.Lasted 10 years.Greeks: build a wooden Greeks: build a wooden

horsehorse–hid soldiers insidehid soldiers inside

Attack: Troy is Attack: Troy is destroyed.destroyed.

Achilles: dies in battleAchilles: dies in battle

The OdysseyThe Odyssey The Odyssey: Aftermath of The Odyssey: Aftermath of

Trojan WarTrojan War Odysseus: Mycenaean KingOdysseus: Mycenaean King

–story of his journey home story of his journey home

–Travels for 10 yearsTravels for 10 years

Gods cause problems Gods cause problems

Purpose of Greek ReligionPurpose of Greek Religion1.1.Explain Nature Explain Nature

2.2.Explain emotions that Explain emotions that interfered with self-controlinterfered with self-control

3.3.Bring benefits to GreeksBring benefits to Greeks

Greek Religious Beliefs Greek Religious Beliefs

PolytheisticPolytheistic Did not save Greeks from sinDid not save Greeks from sin Afterlife– not a big concernAfterlife– not a big concern

–Everyone went to gray gloomy Everyone went to gray gloomy underworld underworld

–Underworld: Neither Punishment/ Underworld: Neither Punishment/ RewardReward

Greek ReligionGreek ReligionMyths – stories about gods Myths – stories about gods

& goddesses & goddesses Mount Olympus: home of Mount Olympus: home of

the gods the gods –Had human qualitiesHad human qualities

–Zeus: King of the Zeus: King of the GodsGods

Greek GodsGreek Gods Uranus and Gaea: ruled the EarthUranus and Gaea: ruled the Earth Overthrown by ChildrenOverthrown by Children

–Cronus/TitansCronus/Titans–Feared children: Ate them Feared children: Ate them

at birth at birth Titans: Overthrown by Titans: Overthrown by

kidskids–Zeus/Olympians Zeus/Olympians

Olympic GamesOlympic Games Held every 4 years: Honor ZeusHeld every 4 years: Honor Zeus

–Please the godsPlease the gods

–Show strength and braveryShow strength and bravery

776 B.C.- Men only 776 B.C.- Men only Boxing, Races, Javelin, Discus, Boxing, Races, Javelin, Discus,

WrestlingWrestling Winners: Received Olive Wreath Winners: Received Olive Wreath

(sacred; honor)(sacred; honor)

Ancient Olympic Stadiums Ancient Olympic Stadiums

Stadium at DelphiStadium at Delphi

Greek GovernmentGreek Government Kings/Warrior chiefsKings/Warrior chiefs

Nobles/aristocrats Nobles/aristocrats

Hoplite Hoplite

TyrantsTyrants

DemocracyDemocracy

City-StatesCity-StatesKings/Chieftains – ruledKings/Chieftains – ruled

–Relied on Aristocrats/NoblesRelied on Aristocrats/Noblespay for militarypay for militarysupport kingssupport kings

Aristocrats: gained power Aristocrats: gained power 700 B.C. 700 B.C. –kings overthrown by nobles kings overthrown by nobles

Nobles/AristocratsNobles/Aristocrats

Aristocracy - Aristocracy - “Rule by the “Rule by the Best”Best” –Rule by noble classRule by noble class

Control all aspects of lifeControl all aspects of life–economy, military, religion, economy, military, religion,

and lawsand laws600 B.C. power weakens600 B.C. power weakens

HopliteHoplite Non-aristocratic soldier Non-aristocratic soldier

–Rose to power b/c they could Rose to power b/c they could afford weaponsafford weapons

Heavy infantry/long spearsHeavy infantry/long spears–Hoplite FormationHoplite Formation

Important for city-state Important for city-state defensedefense

Farmers and Hoplite: demand Farmers and Hoplite: demand change.change.

TyrantsTyrantsSeized power- had support of Seized power- had support of

the peoplethe people650-500 BC: ruled many city-650-500 BC: ruled many city-

statesstatesAbsolute ruler abuses powerAbsolute ruler abuses power

–Evolved into unjust rulersEvolved into unjust rulersOverthrownOverthrown

DemocracyDemocracy Popular governments set upPopular governments set up

–People can actually rule People can actually rule themselves?!?!themselves?!?!

Democracy: rule by the peopleDemocracy: rule by the people Political rights (citizenship) to fewPolitical rights (citizenship) to few Many cities maintain aristocracyMany cities maintain aristocracy

–Ex.SpartaEx.Sparta–limited by the peoplelimited by the people