Greece was home to a rich civilization that reached its peak between 500 BC and 300 BC. Its people lived by farming, fishing, crafts, and trading. They built 300 CITY-STATES and settled in colonies. In 146 BC, Greece was conquered by Rome, but many aspects of Greek culture still shape our world.
Mycenaean kings were powerful from 1600 BC to 1200 BC. They were warrior chieftains who lived in fortresslike cities and ruled small kingdoms. Their name comes from the richest of these—Mycenae, in southern Greece. They employed skilled artists and craftworkers to make fine pottery and magnificent gold jewelry. They owned fleets of trading ships that sailed to many ports.
The Ancient Greeks worshiped many different gods and goddesses. They believed that these gods had magic powers and that they were human in form, but bigger and more beautiful. Each god or goddess controlled a different aspect of life. The supreme god Zeus led all other gods. His brother Poseidon ruled the sea, and another brother, Hades, ruled the underworld.
Temples were homes for the gods and goddesses, and status symbols for cities. The Parthenon, Athens, was built in c. 480 BC, when Greek architecture was at its peak. It is one of the world’s most famous buildings and was made from more than 24,000 tons (21,800 metric tons) of marble. This temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena. Inside stood a 40-ft- (12-m-) tall carved statue of Athena, with solid gold armor.
Greek tragedies and comedies told stories about gods and goddesses, or made fun of people such as politicians. Only men watched the plays. They thought women would find them too rude or upsetting. The plays of Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides are still performed today.
Sports were good training for war, but city-states also organized sports competitions to form part of their religious festivals. The most famous was the Olympic Games, held every four years to honor the god Zeus. Competitors came from all over Greece. Victorious athletes won praise for themselves, and prestige for their families and towns.
Alexander was ruler of Macedon, north of Greece. As a young man he conquered many lands, including some of the Greek city-states. When he died, his vast empire stretched from Egypt to Pakistan.
A city-state was made up of a town and all the land near it. Each one had its own government, laws, and way of life. City-states often fought each other, using troops of HOPLITES and huge warships.
In Athens, all adult male citizens could listen to debates in the Assembly, which met on most days. Here, they could elect and expel city leaders, and vote to decide on government policies. Women, slaves, and foreigners were not able to vote. Three of the world’s most famous philosophers—Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle—lived and taught in Athens.
Hoplites were trained foot soldiers who fought for their city-states using swords and spears. Their name came from the round hoplon (shield) that they carried for protection in battle. They also wore helmets, body armor, and plated greaves (shin guards).
The Greeks used a battle formation called the phalanx. Soldiers stood side by side in rows, overlapping their shields to make a solid wall of defense as they advanced toward the enemy. Their commanders rode in horse-drawn chariots to overlook the battlefield. City-states also hired foreign experts, such as archers from Scythia, and used warships called triremes.
Copyright ©2007Dorling Kindersley
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Mycenaean Kings (1600 BC to 1200 BC): Mycenaean kings were influential warrior chieftains who ruled small kingdoms from fortress-like cities, notably Mycenae in southern Greece. Their dominance spanned from 1600 BC to 1200 BC. These kings were patrons of skilled artists and craftworkers, fostering the creation of exquisite pottery and elaborate gold jewelry. Their influence extended to maritime trade, as they owned fleets of trading ships that navigated various ports.
Ancient Greek Pantheon: The ancient Greeks worshiped a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each believed to have distinct magical powers and human-like attributes but on a grander scale. Zeus, the supreme god, led this divine hierarchy, while Poseidon ruled the sea, and Hades governed the underworld. Temples, such as the Parthenon in Athens, served as homes for these deities and symbols of status for cities.
Ancient Greek Plays: Greek tragedies and comedies, the works of playwrights like Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides, portrayed narratives revolving around gods, goddesses, and even political satire. These plays were exclusive to male audiences, as it was believed that women might find them too crude or disturbing.
Value of Sports in Greek Culture: Sports in ancient Greece served not only as physical training for warfare but also as integral components of religious festivals. The renowned Olympic Games, held every four years to honor Zeus, attracted competitors from across Greece. Victorious athletes garnered praise for themselves and brought prestige to their families and hometowns.
Biography: Alexander the Great (356–323 BC): Alexander the Great, ruler of Macedon, conquered vast lands, including Greek city-states, in his youth. At the time of his death, his empire spanned from Egypt to Pakistan, leaving an indelible mark on history.
City-States: City-states, fundamental political entities in ancient Greece, comprised a town and its surrounding land. Each city-state had its own government, laws, and way of life. These entities often engaged in conflicts, employing hoplites (trained foot soldiers) and massive warships.
Athenian Democracy: In Athens, a notable city-state, adult male citizens participated in a democratic system where they could engage in debates, elect or expel city leaders, and vote on government policies in the Assembly. Women, slaves, and foreigners were excluded from this political process. Influential philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were central figures in Athenian intellectual life.
Hoplites and Ancient Greek Warfare: Hoplites were well-trained foot soldiers who fought for their city-states using swords and spears. They formed a solid wall of defense, known as the phalanx, by standing side by side with shields overlapping. The Greeks also employed foreign experts and warships, such as triremes, in their military strategies.
By weaving together these elements, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the vibrant and influential civilization that was ancient Greece.
