Classical+Greece

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Athens vs. Sparta
Although Athens and Sparta both converged slightly in their basic political and religious philosophies, both cities still diverged in almost every aspect of everyday life. Both cities elected General Assemblies whose power balanced that of the king (in Sparta) or Archons (in Athens). As for their respective societies, I saw Sparta as being a more rigid and well-orchestrated. Spartans, as Thudeclys mentions, were practically prepared from birth to become warriors and fighters for their city. On the other hand, Athens was seen as a more "creative wonderland," where education and the arts were usually pursued by male citizens. Both cities also harbored similar polytheistic religions and shared the same language.While technological advancement in Athens were aimed towards improving everyday life and knowledge, Spartan technological innovations were geared towards advancing their military, which then reflects on their military prowess and might.

The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization documentary

The Revolution: o 508 BC – Athens – Pandemonium everywhere. Citizens demand freedom from rulers. Cleisthenes inspires revolution for freedom. § Cleisthenes– born around 570 BCE § Born into a rich, noble family § Travelling oral poets inspired Cleisthenes at a young age with great heroic tales · Heroes were known for “deflowering” many women § Cleisthenes inspires revolution against Hyppias and exiles him out of Greec    Isagarus plans coup with Spartan forces to gain control of Athens, succeeds and is able control Athens from atopt he Acropolis – Cleisthenes escapes and flees · People of Athens rise up and force Isagarus to surrender – first time a people have take power against a government o People bring Cleisthenes out of exile and ask him to build a government o Cleisthenes builds the basic foundations of democracy in a general assembly – influences governing bodies all over the world o Pisistratus – Cleisthenes brother-in law § Cleverly gained power of Athens – was able to break down the existing social hierarchy by giving “the people” more power and opportunities § Died in 527 BCE. § His son, Hpyyias, ruled with absolute tyranny o Athens - built around an acropolis which served as a fortress for Athenians § Early city was village-like and filthy § Aristocrats held much power at the physical expense of the rest of the serfs. § Potters were originally at a very low level on the social ladder – pots not at much value · Original Greek pottery is now worth millions of $$$ § Greek olive oil was worth much value to other neighboring civilizations § The Olympic Games – competitions of great athletic skill – created in 776 BCE · Fame and a laurel wreath of olives was the prize · 40,000 people showed up as spectator · Women were not allowed to participate or watch o Greek peninsula § Fragmented geography was very hard to unite under one rule § Individual Greek city-states sought to fiercely maintain their independence. § Sparta – a militaristic city-state · Captured and conquered much territory · Used Helots – defeated peoples – as slave class; gave Spartans time and resources to focus on military and expansion. Explain the key factors in the development of Athens. · A combination of ideal, scattered geographic location, a rise in education and philosophy, and a general sense of political awareness by the common public were all factors that lead to the development of a democratic Greece. = ESPIRIT for Classical Rome =


 * E || __**The Roman economy was contructed upon the free labor of slaves, the proliferation of commercial agriculture with other civilizations and colonies, and the advancement of agriculture, specifically olives and grapes. **__


 * Following farmers in Greece, Roman farmers began to grow olives and grapes as the staples of Roman agriculture.
 * These staple crops required immense capital and therefore led to the growth of farmer debt which led to much tenant farmers and aristocratic control.
 * Advancement of commercial agriculture through the use of colonies in other geographical areas allowed for the growth of Rome as an empire.
 * Roman colonies in Egypt and Sicily served as a consistent source of grain, as did other colonies in the Mediterranean for different resources.
 * Slavery was fundamental in providing free labor and for maintenance of Roman cities –
 * slavery also major cause for expansion (expansion = $) ||
 * s || [[image:http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/752/805629.JPG width="357" height="160"]]Picture from Malorie MacDonald's wiki

__**Rome created a social structure that resembled that of previous civilizations; noblemen and wealthy landlords occupied the top of the social ladder, while commoners and slaves were at the bottom. Men remained dominant within the patriarchal family. From Dan H. (with his permission)**__ Omar Khoshafa 10/4/10 Period 2
 * __Roman code of law__ regulated everyday social life.
 * Greek and Roman societies was based upon agriculture, therefore landowners/nobles were in the upper class. Merchants followed them, and the peasants were at the bottom. Slaves (POW) served every class and were a steady supply of labor, especially in Rome.
 * **Olives and grape** growing in Rome caused many farmers to turn to __tenant farming__, which further subjugated the peasant class - part of collapse.
 * **Patriarchal families** were still the norm in both societies. ||
 * P || __**The Roman system of government was the first representative democracy of the world.**__ * Roman republic relied heavily upon the principle of aristocracy.
 * General assemblies didn't actually pass laws, but actually elected magistrates that represented the people.
 * Less emphasis than **Confucianism** on hierarchy and obedience,but more on participation in democratic bodies.
 * __Strong military organization__ also evident in militial strength.
 * Central **government** allowed for and even encouraged the proliferation of religion and religious ceremonies(mainly for political advancement) only if it did not interfere with loyalty to the state (a reason why **Christianity** was shunned at first).
 * Political theory was established with civilian political engagement at the core . ||
 * I || * The **Punic Wars** allowed Rome to take control of all of North Africa, including Egypt, and allowed for the establishment of new commercial colonies.
 * **Hellenistic** period allows for the blending of Greek and Middle Eastern culture and architecture.
 * __Expansion of Roman__ boundaries allows Rome to adopt other surrounding cultures and take what good values they had to offer.
 * R || __**"Greco-Roman religion was...a belief in spirits of nature elevated into a complex set of Gods and Goddesses who were see as regulated everyday life."**__
 * Roman religion created an important literary tradition of storytelling.
 * Gods served as symbols of inquiry into human nature.
 * __lack of spirituality__ did not relieve the **plebeians** of everyday stress.
 * "mystery" religions from other places increase much needed spirituality and divine connection.
 * Religion did not find basis for ethical thought. ||
 * I || * Roman philosophy, much like Greek, __questioned conventional wisdom__ and encouraged people to inquire in natural beliefs.
 * The __power of human thought__ was emphasized, but nothing was added to political theory and Hellenistic science.
 * Roman architecture and science surpassed than of its Greek counterpart.
 * Greek literature and humanities, such as **Homer's Iliad** and **Odyssey**, revolutionized poetry and developed a male heroism theme that was evident throughout Greek culture. ||
 * T || * The Romans were able to build great __roads and aqueducts__ that transported water from one city to another.
 * Great architectural arches were also constructed to support great building and hold much weight.
 * The **Colosseum** was an astounding architectural marvel that served as an arena of entertainment all Romans in order to distract them from the glum of everyday life. ||
 * The **Colosseum** was an astounding architectural marvel that served as an arena of entertainment all Romans in order to distract them from the glum of everyday life. ||

Greek and Rome Comparative "Greek and Roman societies shared many political ideas; they had a common religion and artisic styles; they developed similar economic structures. Certainly, there classical heritage would be used by successive civilizations without fine distinctions drawn between what was Greek and what was Roman."(Our book)

The origin of Greek civilization began in the creation of highly independent and isolated city-states. The type of government varied from each city-state, and this isolation was caused by the highly mountainous Greek peninsula. In Athens, major decisions were made by general assemblies in which anyone could vote. This represented a direct democracy, ruled of the people. Rome began as a small monarchy in the Italian peninsula, and as the city-state expanded throughout the peninsula, it gradually formed into a Republic. In Rome, a representative democracy formed, with the Senate being the most important legislative assembly. Careful and intricate political organization was what distinguished Rome from other Greek city-states. Greece and Rome did not develop distinct "world-class" religions, but they did establish a polytheism that included a complex system of gods and goddesses. Religious ceremonies were also used a form of political propaganda. But the lack of a "spiritual" religion didnot help the lower class mentally survived economic hardship and distress. Greek philosophers such as Socrates helped shape future Roman philosophy with the questioning of basic conventional wisdom. Greek literature was revolutionary in the epic poems of Homer and Roman literature was just as engaging, although not so original. In terms of art and architecture, Greek artists excelled in ceramic working while Romans excelled in realistic painting.

**Society** in Rome and Han China

 · Relied on a primarily agricultural economy  · Greco-Roman secular beliefs mirror that of Confucian China.  · Both developed clear social hierarchies, with a distinction between the elites and the common workers. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Bureaucrats in China and aristocrats in Rome ruled the top of the pyramid, each attempting to control the rest of the pyramid in order to ensure their own prosperity. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">-Reinforce social hierarchy through local authority and community bonds that gave each rank a common purpose; also did so through code of code. || <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Roman political values centered more on general assembly (democracy) and an aristocracy, while Han China held a complex and effective bureaucracy in which different governmental duties was distributed to smaller officials. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Roman philosophy encouraged the questioning of conventional wisdom, while Confucianism did not. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Roman society placed a higher emphasis on merchant and Han China did otherwise, despite the great importance of trade to both. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">It was difficult to move up China’s bureaucracy, even with advanced education. In Rome, it was also difficult, but acquired wealth flexed the social hierarchy. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">-Confucius China urged cultural values with self-restraint and self-correction. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">- Convinced the people there was legitimacy in the social hierarchy. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> || = Greece and Rome Key Terms = · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">A succession of weak emperors that weakened the republic. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Diseases that killed nearly half of all Romans. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Decreased political awareness and activism. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Demise of quality of life in Rome · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The hiring of foreign, often disloyal, troops in the Roman army. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The inability to defend and control all Roman territories from invaders. ||
 * <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Similarities __ || <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Differences __ ||
 * <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Developed empires
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hellenistic Period - ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> The period of time in which Greek culture and art blended with that of the Middle East following the great conquests of **Alexander the Great**. Trade flourished in Alexander’s empire as important scientific centers were established, such as **Alexandria**. This period saw the existence and prosperity of Greek ideals even when the Greece itself was politically divided. ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Direct Democracy ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Was the Athenian **political system** where all major decisions were made by general **assemblies** in which all citizens could participate. Only an **elite minority** actually served, but the system embodied principles of __democracy__ that later affected Rome and many countries today. ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Aristotle and Cicero ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Greek and Rome philosophers that developed the basis **for moral philosophy**. They stressed the importance of moderation and balance in human behavior as opposed to the instability of political life and excess of the gods themselves. Many of these models for ethical behavior arose during the **Hellenistic Period.** ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Commercial Agriculture ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Began in Greece then spread to Rome; one of the main reasons for the Roman attempt to establish an empire; Greeks establish commercial colonies (Sicily and Cyprus) for steady food supply; Romans follow and also use North Africa as a granary following the **Punic Wars**. ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Roman Republic ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal;"> Established after the rise of **Augustus Caesar** in 27 BCE as the new emperor of Rome. The emperor was made into this almost god-like figure who ruled with absolute power. The Senate was still functioning, but now with very little power and supremacy. The empire’s **organizational abilities** were heightened as Rome continued to expand in all directions. **Strong military organization** served as the basis of Roman strength and solidity. The Fall of Rome began with the death of **Marcus Aurelius** in 180 A.D. because of:

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