western civ blog

Today in class we learned about Greek philosophers such as socrates and Plato and aristotle. socrates- socrates was special because he looked to science and logic, not mythical gods, for explanation for how the world works. He also made up the socratic method which fostered the way of critical thinking by asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking. one of his most famous quotes is “The unexamined life is not worth living.” meaning that only in striving to come to know ourselves and to understand ourselves do our lives have any meaning or value. But unfortunately  socrates died because of this way of deeper thinking. He was charged with impiety which means disrespecting the gods he was also charged with corrupting the youth of Athens

from 477- 431 B.C. Athens experienced a growth in intellectual and aristocratic learning. To strengthen democracy, pericles increased the number of public officials who were paid salaries.      Athens democracy- Citizen: Male, 18 years old, Born of citizen parents; Laws voted on and proposed directly by assembly of all citizens; leaders chosen by lot; Executive branch composed of a council of 500 men; Juries varied in size; No attorneys, no appeals, one day trials      American democracy: citizen born in the united states or completed the citizenship process; Representatives elected to propose and vote on laws; elected president; Executive branch made up of elected and appointed officials; Juries composed of 12 jurors; Defendants and plaintiffs have attorneys, long appeal process. Direct

Today in class we read about greeks golden age in the text book which said. SETTING THE STAGE For close to 50 years (from 477 to 431 B.C.), Athens experienced a growth in intellectual and artistic learning. This period is often called the Golden Age of Athens. During this golden age, drama, sculpture, poetry, philosophy, architecture, and science all reached new heights. The artistic and literary legacies of the time continue to inspire and instruct people around the world. Pericles’ Plan for Athens A wise and able statesman named Pericles led Athens during much of its golden age. Honest and fair, Pericles held onto popular support for 32 years. He was a skillful politician, an inspiring speaker, and a respected general. He so dominated the life of Athens from 461 to 429 B.C. that this period often is called the Age of Pericles. He had three goals: (1) to strengthen Athenian democracy, (2) to hold and strengthen the empire, and (3) to glorify Athens. Stronger Democracy To ...

we got the project back which said. Leaders of Greece The leaders of Greece had a big impact on Greek history. Leaders such as Cleisthenes, Isagoras, Draco, Solon, and Hippias. All of these leaders had a big impact on Greek history in their own way. Draco, who started ruling in 621 B.C. was the first recorded legislator of Athens in Ancient Greece. He replaced the prevailing system of oral law and blood feud by a written code to be enforced only by a court. Under Draco, death was the punishment for many crimes that were commited. Cleisthenes came to power in 508 BCE when he overthrew Isagoras. The way he ruled began the change from an aristocratic government to a Democracy. He created The council of five Hundred, A group of Athenian Citizens chosen at random. A citizen of Athens had to be an adult male property owner who was born in Athens. If you were born anywhere else in greece, you are a women, or if you are a slave you can not be considered a citizen. Cleisthenes was very ric...

close-rank, dense grouping of warriors armed with long spears and interlocking shields soldiers would advance slowly toward the enemy, until they broke through their rankslook at how little and insignificant Greece appears look at how big the Persian Empire is Persians have a huge army, and nearly unlimited resources this beatdown shouldn’t take long! iron weapons meant ordinary citizens could afford to arm themselves foot soldiers (hoplites) trained from an early age armed with spears, swords, shields often fought in phalanx formation “home field” advantage motivated to preserve democracy first archers (do damage from a distance) then cavalry (they disrupt communication between generals and soldiers) then lightly armored infantry (carried spear, sword, and bow) huge numbers long way from home professional army (soldiers for hire, or mercenaries) 546 BC: Persians conquer Greeks in Ionia 499-494 BC: Ionian revolt (Athens helps) Darius the Great de...

By 750 B.C., the city-state, or polis, was the fundamental political unit in ancient Greece. A polis was made up of a city and its surrounding countryside, which included numerous villages. Most city-states controlled between 50 and 500 square miles of territory. They were often home to fewer than 10,000 residents. At the agora, or marketplace, or on a fortified hilltop called an acropolis (uh•KRAHP•uh•lihs), citizens gathered to discuss city government. Greek Political Structures Greek city-states had many different forms of government. (See the chart on page 128.) In some, a single person, called a king, ruled in a government called a monarchy. Others adopted an aristocracy (AR•ih•STAHK•ruh•see), a government ruled by a small group of noble, landowning families. These very rich families often gained political power after serving in a king’s military cavalry. Later, as trade expanded, a new class of wealthy merchants and artisans emerged in some cities. When these groups ...

it’s where the state (or in this case, the city-state) is ruled by its citizens rule is based on citizenship majority rule decides vote in the agora , citizens argued, made speeches, then voted with white stones (yes) / black stones (no it was first practiced in Athens under Cleisthenes by around 500 BCE What is unique about the Greeks’ relationship with their gods is the interaction with humans Poseidon (god of the sea) interfered with Odysseus trying to return home Aphrodite (goddess of love) had lovers of both gods and men Dionysus (god of wine) was son of Zeus (a god) and of Semele (a human princess) and on and on and on Zeus - ruler of heaven and earth; father of Athena; god of the sky, weather, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice. Had a temper and was known to hurl thunderbolts.Goddess of wisdom, skill, warfare (and peace), intelligence, battle strategy, and handicrafts. She was born from Zeus' head fully formed and armored. A special patron of heroes - such as...

Leaders of Greece The leaders of Greece had a big impact on Greek history. Leaders such as Cleisthenes, Isagoras, Draco, Solon, and Hippias. All of these leaders had a big impact on Greek history in their own way. Draco, who started ruling in 621 B.C. was the first recorded legislator of Athens in Ancient Greece . He replaced the prevailing system of oral law and blood feud by a written code to be enforced only by a court. Under Draco, death was the punishment for many crimes that were commited. Cleisthenes came to power in 508 BCE when he overthrew Isagoras. The way he ruled began the change from an aristocratic government to a Democracy. He created The council of five Hundred, A group of Athenian Citizens chosen at random. A citizen of Athens had to be an adult male property owner who was born in Athens. If you were born anywhere else in greece, you are a women, or if you are a slave you can not be considered a citizen. Cleisthenes was very rich, a part of the elite member...

Leaders of Greece The leaders of Greece had a big impact on Greek history. Leaders such as Cleisthenes, Isagoras, Draco, Solon, and Hippias. All of these leaders had a big impact on Greek history in their own way. Draco, who started ruling in 621 B.C. was the first recorded legislator of Athens in Ancient Greece . He replaced the prevailing system of oral law and blood feud by a written code to be enforced only by a court. Under Draco, death was the punishment for many crimes that were commited. Cleisthenes came to power in 508 BCE when he overthrew Isagoras. The way he ruled began the change from an aristocratic government to a Democracy. He created The council of five Hundred, A group of Athenian Citizens chosen at random. A citizen of Athens had to be an adult male property owner who was born in Athens. If you were born anywhere else in greece, you are a women, or if you are a slave you can not be considered a citizen. Cleisthenes was very rich, a part of the elite memb...