Classical Greece
Big Ideas About Classical Greece
Geography Migration, trade, warfare, and the action of missionaries spread ideas and beliefs.
Greek ideas about the arts, architecture, sciences, and philosophy spread to parts of Asia through Alexander the Great and his armies. Greek culture blended with the cultures of conquered lands including Egypt, Persia, and India to create a new one. Millions of people who lived in Alexander's empire shared that new culture. The culture continued long after Alexander died.
The Golden Age of Greece
Build on What You Know Have you ever had a time when you were really successful in the things you were doing? A period of great achievement is sometimes called a golden age. Ancient civilizations, such as the Han Dynasty in China and the Gupta in India, had golden ages. Greece too had a golden age, during the time of Pericles.
Pericles Leads Athens
ESSENTIAL QUESTION What democratic changes did Pericles bring?
After the Persian Wars that you read about in Chapter 11, one of Athens' greatest leaders, Pericles , emerged. By 460 B.C., Pericles was the strongest leader in Athens. He remained the leader until his death 31 years later. He was so important that this time in Athens is often called the Age of Pericles.
Pericles had three goals for Athens. The first was to strengthen democracy. The second was to expand the empire. The third was to beautify Athens.
Pericles had three goals for Athens. The first was to strengthen democracy. The second was to expand the empire. The third was to beautify Athens.
Paid Public Officials To spread power more evenly, Pericles changed the rule for holding public office. Most public officials were unpaid before he came to power. This meant that only wealthy people could afford to serve in government in Athens. Pericles increased the number of public officials who were paid. Now even poor citizens could hold a public office if elected or chosen randomly. However, to be a citizen an individual had to be a free male, over 18, and the son of Athenian-born parents.
Direct Democracy The form of democracy practiced in Athens was not the kind practiced in the United States today. The form used in Athens was called direct democracy. In a direct democracy all citizens participate in running the government. For example, all citizens in Athens could propose and vote directly on laws. By comparison, the United States has representative democracy, or a republic. U.S. citizens—male and female—elect representatives to take care of government business. These representatives propose and vote on laws. Study the chart on page 395 to find other differences.
Pericles (495–429 B.C.)
Pericles' speaking skills set him apart from other Athenians. He was so skilled that most regarded him as the best speaker of the time. Some people said that when he spoke, his words were like thunder and lightning.
Once, Pericles and another Athenian were involved in a wrestling match. Pericles lost. But his powers of speech were so great that he actually convinced the spectators that he won the match, even though they saw him lose!
His ability to speak so well made it possible for him to persuade Athenian citizens to back his reforms. These reforms brought about major changes in Athenian life. Unfortunately, toward the end of his life, Pericles was involved in several political scandals. As a result, he briefly stepped down from his position of leadership but later was reinstated. He is still thought of as one of the greatest leaders of Greece.
Once, Pericles and another Athenian were involved in a wrestling match. Pericles lost. But his powers of speech were so great that he actually convinced the spectators that he won the match, even though they saw him lose!
His ability to speak so well made it possible for him to persuade Athenian citizens to back his reforms. These reforms brought about major changes in Athenian life. Unfortunately, toward the end of his life, Pericles was involved in several political scandals. As a result, he briefly stepped down from his position of leadership but later was reinstated. He is still thought of as one of the greatest leaders of Greece.
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Expanding the Empire
ESSENTIAL QUESTION How did Athens become more powerful?
Greek wealth depended on overseas trade. Athens was determined to protect its overseas trade and its homeland. At the end of the Persian War, the Greek city-states formed a league for mutual protection. It was called the Delian League.
Delian League Athens helped to organize this league. It was called the Delian League because its headquarters and treasury were located at first on the island of Delos. Pericles used money from the league's treasury to build a strong navy. The naval fleet was made up of at least 300 warships.
Athens Dominates the Delian League The fleet of Athens was the strongest in the Mediterranean region. Because Athens now had a superior navy, it took over leadership of the Delian League. In 454 B.C., the Delian League's treasury was moved to Athens. The transfer of the Delian League's treasury helped to strengthen Athens' power. Athens started treating the other members of the league as if they were conquered people, not allies. Eventually, Athens dominated all of the city-states to such an extent that they became part of an Athenian empire.
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Beautifying Athens
ESSENTIAL QUESTION How did Pericles beautify Athens?
Athens was a city in ruins when the war with Persia ended in 480 B.C. Parts of it were burned, and most of the buildings were destroyed. Pericles saw this destruction as a chance to rebuild, glorify, and beautify Athens.
Rebuilding Athens The Greek city-states paid a tribute to the Delian League organization. The funds were supposed to help build the power of the league. Instead, Pericles used these funds to beautify Athens. He did not ask approval from the members of the league to use the money. This action made other city-states angry.
Pericles spent the money to purchase gold, ivory, and marble to create sculptures and construct beautiful buildings. Pericles also used the money to pay artists, architects, and sculptors for these projects.
Pericles spent the money to purchase gold, ivory, and marble to create sculptures and construct beautiful buildings. Pericles also used the money to pay artists, architects, and sculptors for these projects.
The Acropolis One of the areas rebuilt was the Acropolis (uh•KRAHP•uh•lihs), or the "high city" part of Athens. An acropolis is an area in a Greek city where important temples, monuments, and buildings are located. The Persians had destroyed the temples and smashed the statues in Athens during the war.
One of the buildings constructed was the Parthenon (PAHR•thuh•NAHN). Its purpose was to house a statue of Athena, a goddess. Athenians thought of her as a warrior who protected Athens. Athena was also the goddess of wisdom, arts, and handicrafts.
One of the buildings constructed was the Parthenon (PAHR•thuh•NAHN). Its purpose was to house a statue of Athena, a goddess. Athenians thought of her as a warrior who protected Athens. Athena was also the goddess of wisdom, arts, and handicrafts.
The Parthenon is considered the most magnificent building on the Acropolis. It is a masterpiece of architectural design, especially known for its graceful proportions and sense of harmony and order. Another temple on the Acropolis was one dedicated to Athena Nike, the goddess of victory. The most sacred site on the hill is the Erechtheum (ehr•ihic•THEE•uhm). It is considered the most beautiful example of Greek architecture. You can see its porch at the beginning of this lesson. Legend says it marks the site where the god Poseidon and the goddess Athena had a contest to see who would be the patron god of the city. Athena won.
Summary
• Pericles strengthened democracy in Athens by paying public officials.
• Pericles expanded the empire by building a strong naval fleet.
• Pericles rebuilt and beautified Athens.
• Pericles strengthened democracy in Athens by paying public officials.
• Pericles expanded the empire by building a strong naval fleet.
• Pericles rebuilt and beautified Athens.
Why It Matters Now . . .
Athenian democracy, art, and architecture set standards that remain influential in the world today.
Athenian democracy, art, and architecture set standards that remain influential in the world today.