Mediterranean Society The Greek Phase

Chapter 10:
Mediterranean Society: The Greek Phase

Themes

There will be a strong temptation to spend a lot of time with the details of Greek civilization, since it becomes part of the foundation of European societies, and ultimately American societies. This temptation will probably be augmented by the fact that most teachers have training in western civilization and therefore this is familiar territory! In AP world history, however, the Greeks are no more or less important that the Qin, the Han, and the Achaemenids, and should receive about the same time allotment and attention to thematic issues rather than the smaller details. Furthermore, the very next chapter deals with Roman history, so the students will have two chapters on this small region of the world in the classical era, even if you do zip through the Greeks at what seems to be an unseemly pace.
The political themes of this chapter are the influence of Minoan and Mycenaean and even Persian societies on the later Greeks; the diversity of ways in which the Greeks ruled themselves in their city-states (from kingdoms to limited democracies); and the powerful regional influence the Greek/Hellenistic empire had on the Mediterranean basin. This continuing influence developed from its international maritime trading network; the establishment of colonies for both trade and the reduction of population pressure on the Balkan Peninsula; and the conquests of Alexander the Great.
The themes that relate to a long-term influence of social structures include the existence of slaves; a patriarchal gender structure that pervaded all aspects of Greek society; and discussions about the equality and rights of citizens in a society (even though those citizens were only male). Culturally, the Greek society left an enduring legacy with their philosophical, scientific, and literary writings that spread south and eastward with the subsequent Hellenistic empires and west and northward with the Roman empire.

Chapter 10 Reading Questions:

Compare and contrast the Minoan and the Mycenaean societies. The Minoan society arose of the island of Crete. The inhabitants built a series of lavish palaces throughout the island, most notably the enormous complex at Knossos. Palace officials devised a script known as Linear A, in which written symbols stood for syllables. Later in time, Minoan society experienced a series of natural disasters ultimately resulting in the destruction of the cities. The cities were rebuilt, but the wealth attracted foreign invaders who soon conquered Minoan society. The Mycenaean people filtered over the Balkans into the Greek peninsula. They traded with Minoan merchants, and they adapted Linear A to their language thus creating Linear B. They built massive stone fortresses throughout the southern part of the Greek peninsula known as Peloponnesus. The Mycenaean people expanded influence and largely overpowered Minoan people. They then engaged in conflict with Troy resulting in the death of Mycenaean society.
What was Greece like during the "Dark Ages," from about 1200 to 800 B.C.E.? The Dark Age was the time when the Mycenaean people were fighting in the Trojan War. Chaos reigned throughout the eastern Mediterranean region. Invasions and civil disturbances made it impossible to maintain stable governments or even productive agricultural societies. Many inhabitants of the Greek peninsula fled to the islands of the Aegean Sea, Anatolia, or Cyprus. The society was riven with conflict, and there were numerous episodes of aggression, treachery, and violence alongside heroic bravery and courage.
What is a polis? How did having the polis as the central political institution of classical Greece shape the history of Greece during this period? A polis is another term for a city-state. The term polis originally referred to a citadel or fortified site that offered refugee during times of war or emergencies. These sites attracted many people, and they gradually became lively commercial centers. They took on an increasingly urban character, and they levied taxes on their hinterlands. They soon became city-states that functioned as the principal centers of Greek society. The poleis helped to illustrate the variety of political styles in classical Greece.
Compare and contrast Sparta and Athens. Sparta was in a fertile region of the Peloponnesus. As their population and economy expanded, so did their control over the Peloponnesus. During the expansion, neighboring people became helots, or slaves, whose sole reason for existence was to ensure Sparta had food. By the sixth century the helots outnumbered the citizens by a scale of 10:1, so to reduce the threat of rebellion the citizens maintained a powerful and disciplined military. In theory, Spartan citizens were equal in status, but distinction arose due to prowess, discipline, and military talent. At age seven, all Spartan boys went to live in military barracks where they underwent intense training. They could not come back home to their wives until age 30. By the fourth century there was a wealthy class of aristocratic families. In Athens, population growth and economic development also caused political and social strain, but rather than using military means, the Athenians relieved tensions by establishing a government based on democratic principles. During the seventh century, an increasing volume of maritime trade brought wealth to the aristocrats forcing many people into slavery. An aristocrat named Solon served as a mediator between aristocrats and less privileged classes and devised a solution to class conflict in Attica, the region around Athens.
What was the significance to the history of the Mediterranean region of Greek colonization? Greek colonization sponsored more communication, interaction, and exchange than kit ever before in the Mediterranean lands and peoples. Colonization also spread Greek language and cultural traditions, and it quickened the tempo of social life.
How did the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars influence the development of the Greek city-states? To discourage further Persian actions in Greece, the Greek poleis formed an alliance known as the Delian League. Athens became the leader of the alliance and supplied the military force. The other poleis contributed financially. The lack of Persian presence created tension among the poleis which started the Peloponnesian War. The poleis split into two sides led by Sparta and Athens. Sparta was victorious, but conflicts soon broke out again.
How do you explain Alexander of Macedon’s success as a conqueror in such a short period of time? He inherited a well-equipped, well-disciplined, highly spirited veteran force from his father. His army had around thirty-seven thousand men.
What was the legacy of the empire of Alexander? Alexander established cities throughout the lands he conquered and toyed with some intriguing ideas about governing his empire, notably a scheme to marry his officers to Persian women and create a new ruling class of Greek, Macedonian, and Persian ancestry, but his early death prevented him from putting this policy into action. He relied on established institutions such as the Persian satrapies to administer the lands he conquered.
Trace the development of Greek philosophical thought from Socrates through the Hellenistic philosophers. Socrates became disenchanted with efforts to understand the natural world, which he regarded as less important than human affairs. Socrates did not write down his thought, nor did he expound his views assertively. He suggested that human beings could lead honest lives, and honor was far more important than wealth, fame, or other superficial attributes. Socrates’ most zealous disciple was Plato. Plato elaborated a systematic philosophy of great subtlety. He presented his thoughts in a series of dialogues, The Republic, and formulated his thought into a systematic vision of the world and human society. The cornerstone of Plato’s thought was his theory of Forms or Ideas. Aristotle was originally a disciple of Plato, but he came to distrust the theory of Forms and Ideas, which he considered artificial intellectual constructs unnecessary for understanding the world. He believed philosophers could rely on their senses to provide accurate information about the world. He was considered “the master of those who know.” The most popular Hellenistic philosophers were the Epicureans (believed in pleasure), Skeptics (believed in disengagement), and the Stoics (believed all humans were the members of one universal family).
How did Greek religion and drama influence each other? Greek myths sought to explain the world and the forces that shape it. They also served as foundations for religious cults that contributed to a powerful sense of community in classical Greece. The Dionysian cult saw the presentation of plays that honored the traditions of the polis.

Historical Terms and Concepts to Know

Homer	The Iliad and The Odyssey
Mycenaeans	Trojan War
King Minos and Minoans	Minoan Linear A and B
polis	helot
Pericles	Alexander the Great
Antigonius	Ptolemy
Seleucus	Olympic Games
Socrates	Aristotle
Plato	tyrant
Spartan	Solon
Persian Wars	Darius, Xerxes
Peloponnesian War	Alexander of Macedon
Hellenistic empires	Sappho
Stoics

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Mediterranean Society The Greek Phase

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