Introduction
Ancient Greece existed on the shores of the Aegean Sea from about 4000 years ago. Over the millennium, the boundaries of Greece expanded from Spain in the West to India in the East.
The Ancient Greeks made political, militaristic, and cultural achievements over the years. Ancient Greece was a powerful civilization that ruled much of the Mediterranean region.
The early Greek Civilizations
In the early Greek Civilizations, Classical Age lasted from 500 BC - 338 BC. The Greek Empire consists of Southern Italy, Aegean Sea, Cyprus, Sicily, Crete, Greece.
The early Greek Civilizations would be discussed in three parts, namely, the Minoan Civilization, Mycenaean Civilization, and the Dark Age.
1. The Minoan Civilization
On the island of Crete and other Aegean Islands, this civilization was a Bronze Age civilization.
This period was from 3500 BC to 1100 BC. Characteristics of this Age are advanced art, trading, agriculture and are some of Europe's first cities. Knossos is the major site of this civilization. Minos Kalokairinos discovered the site Knossos.
2. Mycenaean Civilization
In Ancient Greece, the Mycenaean Civilization existed in the last phase of the Bronze Age. The period started from 1750 BC to 1050 BC. Pylos, Tiryns, Midea, Orchomenos, Iolcos are the major sites of Mycenaean Civilization.
These sites were preceded by Minoan Civilization, Korakou Culture, Tiryns culture and followed by the Greek Dark Age.
Gold rhytons and death masks are the famous work of this civilization.
3. The Dark Age
When the Mycenaean Civilization ended, the Greek Dark Ages started and the period from 1100 BC to 750 BC is known as the Dark Age.
Iliad and Odyssey written by Homer Signifies this.
The Greek mainland and Aegean Sea were geographical areas of the Dark Age. Destruction of settlements and collapse of the socioeconomic system are the characteristics of the Dark Age.
The Dark Age was preceded by Mycenaean Greece and Minoan civilization and was followed by Archaic Greece.
The Archaic and Classical Period
The foundation of the Greek civilization was between 800 and 500 BC. This period is generally referred to as the Classical Age of Greece.
There was intense conflict between peasants and aristocracy. Debt bondage was abolished under Solon’s rule.
There was a transition to democracy around 600 BC.
End of the classical period
In 323 BC, at the death of Alexander, the Classical period conventionally ended. Conflicts with Persia were significant at the end of this period.
At the end of this period, philosophical thought developed and slavery existed.
Philip 2 established supremacy, then his son Alexander did the same.
Achievement
The lasting contributions of a civilization are -
Developing Art
Designing Architecture
Exploring Science
Creating inventions
Exchanging ideas
Architecture
The earliest people of Ancient Greece either settled in the northern part of the peninsula or moved to the many Cyclade Islands that stretched out in a circle in the Aegean Sea.
They quickly adapted to the rough, dry terrain. Stone was plentiful, so they created stone houses with wood roofs.
As Greek society developed into civilization, especially the Mycenaeans, they used columns to give larger building projects more structure, strength and ornamentation.
The curved vertical lines on some Greek columns are known as Fluting.
Religion
The Greeks were polytheistic, meaning they worshiped many gods. Mythology played an important role in Greek religion.
The Greeks shared stories of gods and goddesses and passed them on from generation to generation.
Myths explained how the actions of gods and goddesses affected daily lives and nature.
Later, the Greeks started the Olympics as an athletic festival to honour Zeus, the God of thunder and lightning, considered the king of the Gods.
The first Olympics included:
- Wrestling
- Long jumping
- Discus and javelin throwing
- Boxing
- Running
Philosophy
Philosophy means 'Love of wisdom'. Early thinkers started to doubt that Greek Gods created events in nature, and they sought to study the world.
Let's look at some of the most important personalities:
Hippocrates was a Greek doctor who introduced the concept that illnesses have natural causes.
Democritus was a scientist who discovered all living things are made of atoms.
Homer wrote the Iliad and Odyssey, two famous Greek tragedies, both set during the Trojan war.
Conclusion
The Ancient Greeks made political, militaristic, and cultural achievements over the years. Ancient Greece was a powerful civilization that ruled much of the Mediterranean region.
FAQs
Q. What are the three inventions from Ancient Greece?
Ans. Gear, screw and rotary mills are the three inventions from Ancient Greece.
Q. Name of the famous game started in Ancient Greece?
Ans. Chariot Racing was a famous game in Ancient Greece.
Q. Who wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey?
Ans. Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Q. What is the rectangular formation of soldiers standing shoulders to shoulder called?
Ans. Phalanx
Q. Why did Spartans provide young girls with an education and athletic training?
Ans. Because according to Spartans, women had to be strong and healthy to give birth to strong and healthy children.
