...Peloponnesian was the golden age of Athens and was the height of their control and influence in their world. Athens was a polis on the Balkan Peninsula. It ruled through direct democracy and had a strong navy. Pericles led them into their golden age and strengthened Athens as an empire. A golden age is the time where an empire has the largest stretching influence and the highest capability to extend their intellectual, philosophical and political ideas. Their golden age took place between the Persian Wars and Peloponnesian Wars, since this was their greatest time of achievement with their spreading ideas. Topic Sentences Topic sentence #1: This time period displays Athens at their highest...
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...Athens’ Golden age, where both economically and politically they reached their peak, is generally found between the repulsion of the Persian invasion and the Peloponnesian war (431-404BC). During this period Athens became its most democratic and wealthiest; her navy was the envy of the entire classical world both in size and quality. Behind these achievements flourished both population and culture, tragedy and comedy from playwrights such as Aristophanes and Euripides whilst philosophy and medicine reached new heights under Socrates and Hippocrates respectively. Far more than just these sweeping general achievements happened but they set the filter through which Athenians saw themselves and their city. This is important in order to fully answer...
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...Athens v. Sparta Geographical Showdown Although they pursued different cultural paths, Sparta and Athens were both strongly shaped by their geographical circumstances. After the fall of the Mycenaean Empire many local institutions called poleis took the lead in restoring Greece. Many of these city-states grew independently, adapting to their physical surroundings. The two most famous of these poleis were Athens and Sparta. For example, Athens adapted to its access to the Mediterranean Sea by basing its economy on maritime trade. Sparta on the other hand was founded on a fertile region in center of Peloponnesus, which made them very xenophobic and military based. The geography was a key aspect that affected the Athenian and Spartan economy, foreign relationships, and social structure. Athens and Sparta definitely based their economies on their surroundings. Athens was located relatively near the coast of the Mediterranean, next to Attica. The land they were located on was very arid and rock. Therefore, their soil was not fertile and unfit to live off of, yet did supply the polis a surplus of silver. Because of this, the Athenian economy was based on maritime trade of silver to Persia and other around the region of the Mediterranean. Their economy flourished due to this generous resource. Sparta on the other hand was situated in a fertile region near the center of Peloponnesus. As their population and economy grew, the Spartans progressively began extending...
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...the strong influence of Sparta started to decline while Athens was gaining popularity and influence amongst Greece. Athens was a place that had heavy emphasis on arts, architecture, and literature. The Athenians are responsible for building thousands of temples and statues that embodied their culture and style of art. The economy of Athens was also very productive based upon farming, manufacturing and trade. Athens made a lot of wealth in the trade of wool, grapes, olive oil and wheat with the other Geek city-states. And where there is trade there is a need for shipbuilding and finances, this led to Athens becoming a spotlight for financial business such as loans and investments. The role and wealth increase of the trade market led to the change of the Athenian society and politics. Slaves became a big part of Athenian life; slaves were found everywhere usually made up of non – Greek foreigners captured in...
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...Athens, the Original Eternal City They say Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither was Athens. Though the Athenians never managed to build an empire the size of Rome’s, they did spread their culture and ideas throughout the Mediterranean. Athens during the Classical, or Hellenic, period (500-340 B.C.E) can easily be compared to Rome at its height in terms of art, and architecture, and far surpassed it in philosophy. While Rome was still struggling for independence from its Etruscan masters, Athens was the center of the Hellenic world. While Alexander the Great was learning from his Athenian tutor, Rome was putting down Latin rebellions. Even under Roman rule, Athens was favored for its ancient accomplishments. Rome may be the Eternal City, but it is simply a backwater pretender to Athens. Democracy is probably Athens most well known characteristic, but it was not always that way. Like every other Greek city during the Mycenaean period (1500-1200 B.C.E.), Athens was once ruled by a king. Little is known of Athens during this period, though the archeological record combined with popular myth from later periods may give us an insight. The names of several legendary kings of Athens have come down to us: in particular Erectheus, the first king, who was believed to have established the worship of the goddess Athena on the Acropolis, and Theseus, killer of the Minotaur, who (according to the Greek historian Plutarch) unified Attica (Connolly 10). Legend tells of...
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...off one of the most powerful armies of that time so Greece would survive. Greek geography, the city-states, the concept of acropolis, government, military strategy, philosophy, and religion were all contributing factors in the creation and survival of the Greek city-state lifestyle. The geography and climate of Ancient Greece influenced the development of Greek civilization. Mountains separated Greece into regions where the Ancient Greeks settled and formed separate city-states and types of government. The mountains and the peninsula of Ancient Greece isolated Greek society from other city-states and also helped to keep them safe from enemy attack. Transportation over the rocky land was difficult, much of the land was not suitable for farming, and there were limited natural resources. The lack of natural resources and the difficulty of traveling by land caused the Ancient Greeks to depend more on the sea. Ancient Greece was surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea on three sides. Much of the land of Ancient Greece was linked by the sea and the sea also linked Ancient Greece to other societies. The Ancient Greeks became skilled sailors, fishermen, and tradesmen. The climate of Ancient Greece was moderate all year long and there was adequate rainfall. Due to the mild climate, Greek men spent much of their time outside where they discussed politics and the issues in their city-state, and attended outdoor events and sporting activities. This promoted citizen participation...
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...that continue to be used in modern society demonstrate how inspiring the Ancient Greeks were. Greece is a series of islands, known as an archipelago that contained a number of city- states, such as Athens and Sparta, and were ruled by Ephors. Greece has a very mountainous terrain, with only 20% of arable land. Greece also has irregular coastlines that enhance their ability to trade. The contributions of classical Greece benefit Western civilization greatly because of the creation of democracy, which provides citizens with a voice, and the philosophies taught by Socrates and Aristotle, which have shaped educational practices. Also, Euclid and other Greek mathematicians advanced dramatically in geometry, allowing for improvements...
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...Greek culture began to develop around 1150 BC with the emergence of Greek religion, drama, and Athenian values coming together to create a common value of individualism and pride. Ancient Greece relied heavily mythology, which functioned as religion in Greek society and was comprised of stories, or myths, that explained their beliefs about life, the world and their gods. As a polytheistic culture, they believed in many gods, examples being Apollo the sun god and Zeus the god of the sky. These gods were important to Greek culture as they were the center focus of worship for the Olympic Games, which still carry on to this day, even though they are not directly connected with pagan worship any more. The Olympic Games were culturally impactful...
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...comprised of different influential leaders that enforced and created new policies, or developed them further, causing a major upheaval in ancient Athens. Major leaders from many diverse backgrounds grew in prominent power to forever change the influence of their people. Democracy in Athens’s didn’t consist of just an evolutionary or revolutionary transformation alone, but a combination of both. Significant leaders consisted of Solon the law giver, tyrant Peisistratus, democrat Cleisthenes, Athenian statesmen Pericles and Cimon. Prior to the build-up of democracy, Athenian government was ruled by an aristocratic council called the Areopagus. Soon to follow a man named Solon erected a new upheaval in political government to forever...
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...impacted philosophic thinkers and people alike. In order to help readers understand whether or not outside forces like society’s political economy impacts deeper thinking like philosophy I will dive deep into Athenian Democracy, documents certain philosophers wrote in the day and time in which they lived, and even look into some other people of the time who had strong opinions on what exactly was going on them. Philosophy impacted more than most people think and I am sure in my research I will be able to back that up with primary sources to prove my argument. In writing this research paper I will be exploring the political economy of Classical Greece between 510 – 323 BCE. In addition, the geographic region I will be diving into will be Athens, Greece. I chose this mainly to enlighten myself (and hopefully the readers) on Athenian Democracy. In doing this I plan to ride the historical roller coaster in the time that Athenian Democracy first set its teeth into the minds of the people who lived in that era. Once establishing a good sense of the...
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...famous epics of the Trojan War. Legends of the great Mycenaean heroes. Different traditions focused on different heroes. Responsible for two of the great monuments. The Iliad and the Odyssey. Achilles Agamemnon Odysseus Hector Ajax Paris Helen of Troy Penelope Important element- arête means excellence. Surpassing Excellence. Achievement, accomplishment. Exceed potential. Also mental. Ex. Odysseus is smarter than anyone else. He outwits Gods. Virtue of this society. Also is very competitive. Forever contending against one another. Individualistic quality. Have to be the best. Character trait that is the center of Greece. 3. Polis e. Polis literally means city. f. Greeks meant g. Oligarchic rule of Basileis Greece is made up of city-states. Each city will undergo its own political history. At the beginning of the archaic period almost all were Oligarchic. Oligarchic is rule by the few, Basileis- landed aristocrats. Owned most of the land in the...
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...Review: Foundations Test #2 2012 What defines a classical society? Similarities and differences between them? (article) What is the definitions AND significance of the following? Rome Etruscans Latins Republic Greeks- influence? Patrician Legions Plebeian Senate Consuls Centuriate Assembly Tribal Assembly Tribunes Veto- Who had it? Praetors- How many? Twelve Tables Citizenship- who had it? Women? Times of emergency, who ruled? “Real Power” Geography? Punic Wars Hannibal? Scipio? Tiberius & Gaius Gracchus? Civil War Period? Shift from Republic to Empire? Describe Loyalty of soldier? Julius Caesar Triumvirate Crassus Pompey Ides of March Octavian? Augustus? Pax Romana? Trade system? Basis? Succession to throne? Gladiators? Entertainment? Problems with Empire? Why the Fall-specifics? Diocletian? Constantine? Huns? Germanic invasions? Attila? Byzantine Empire Romulus Augustulus? Virgil? Roman Achievements? The major contribution to Western CIF.? Dates of Republic/Empire/Byzantine Trajan? Arch/Architecture? Infrastructure? Greatest Roman Legacy? Gupta Major accomplishments of each Empire? Mauryan Chandragupta Maurya? Indian geography? Invasions into India? Arthashastra Ashoka Maurya? Kautilya? Buddhism and Hinduism? Brahmin? Collapse? Patriarchal/Matriarchal? Chandra Gupta? White Huns? Tamil? Trade patterns/partners...
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...Spell Check-list Unlike the Greek city-states, the Roman republic embarked almost immediately on imperial expansion. Utilizing its citizen armies, the republic gained control of the entire Italian peninsula. Conquered regions were incorporated into the republic or allowed to remain as independent allies. Rome's greatest rival in the western part of the Mediterranean was the former Phoenician colony of Carthage in northern Africa. Between 264 B.C.E. and 146 B.C.E., Rome defeated Carthage in the three Punic Wars. Rome's victory created an empire that extended from Italy to the Iberian peninsula and into northern Africa. The collapse of the Hellenistic successor states of Alexander's empire drew the Romans into the eastern Mediterranean. Greece, Macedonia, the Asian littoral, and Egypt were drawn into Rome's orbit. Rome and its Empire, (1995), Pearson Education, Pearson Longman, Retrieved from; http://wps.ablongman.com/long_stearns_wc_4/17/4390/1123999.cw/index.html The Regal Period. According to tradition, the first King laid the political foundations for the city, by creating the senate, and by dividing the people into curiae. He also extended Roman power by successful wars. Numa Pompilius is the antithesis, in many ways, of Romulus. He organized priesthoods, established religious rites, and sought to develop the religious life of the people. It was the main purpose of Tullus Hostilius, as it had been that of Romulus, to extend the material power of Rome. Ancus Marcius...
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...first attempt to entice to the Melians' sense of logic, stating the overpowering odds, while the Melians plea to the Athenians' fear of gods and sense of decency. In the Melian dialogue the Athenians say: “Nature always compels gods (we believe) and men (we are certain) to rule over anyone they can control” when confronted about how the gods would look to them, as they believed the gods “should be as much on (their) side as (Melians). Neither (their) principles nor (their) actions are contrary to what men believe about gods, or would want for themselves” (Thucydides v. 105, pg. 106). The Athens saw the notion of ruling wherever one can as a general and necessary law of nature. The Athenians makes known that maintaining their empire is their only concern and they attempt to persuade the Melians that it is in their best interest to surrender. Neither the Athenians nor the Melians were able to influence the other and the negotiations were then unsuccessful. The Athenians consequently occupied Melos and mercilessly enslaved or slaughtered its...
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...Plato and Play Taking Education Seriously in Ancient Greece Armand D’Angour In this article, the author outlines Plato’s notions of play in ancient Greek culture and shows how the philosopher’s views on play can be best appreciated against the background of shifting meanings and evaluations of play in classical Greece. Play—in various forms such as word play, ritual, and music—proved central to the development of Hellenic culture. In ancient Greece, play (paidia) was intrinsically associated with children (paides). However, both children and play assumed a greater cultural significance as literacy—and, consequently, education (paideia)— developed during the classical age of 500–300 BCE. Uniquely among ancient thinkers, Plato recognized that play influenced the way children developed as adults, and he proposed to regulate play for social ends. But Plato’s attitude toward play was ambivalent. Inclined to consider play an unworthy activity for adults, he seemed to suggest that intellectual play in some form, as demonstrated in the dialectical banter of Socrates, could provide a stimulus to understanding. Key words: education in ancient Greece; play and child development; play and education; play and Plato; Socratic dialectic Among various plausible misquotations that surface from time to time is a piece of popular wisdom attributed to Plato to the effect that “you can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” It was quoted by Alaska Governor...
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