- Minoan Society
- Emerged during the third millennium B.C.E.
- Named after King Minos, the prominent royal figure
- Remembered for numerous architectural achievements
- Knossos – complex structure containing administrative and residential buildings
- Were proficient in economic and commercial matters
- Developed a Linear A writing system
- Currently not deciphered
- Symbols represent syllables instead of words
- Clearly used for recording financial information (e.g. economic and financial records)
- Numerous archeological evidence suggests significant economic influence by 1600 B.C.E.
- Declined approximately by 1450 B.C.E.
- Series of devastating natural cataclysms
- Invaders attracted by the enormous wealth
- Mycenaean Society
- Formed from migratory peoples of Indo-European origin
- Shaped by influences of Minoan society
- Adopted Linear A
- Benefitted from trade
- Impressive architectural achievements starting from 1450 B.C.E. drawn numerous settlers
- Superseded Minoans in power and influence by 1100 B.C.E.
- Severely impacted by military conflict with Troy
- Eventually declined with the loss of stability
- Spartan Society
- Flourished on the fertile soils of Peloponnesus
- Established the helot’s system
- More rights than slaves (could form families)
- No complete freedom (could not leave)
- Deliberately restricted the possibility of economic or social inequality
- Discouraged excessively luxurious garments
- Minimized the accumulation of wealth
- Preferred iron to gold in the role of currency
- Prioritized discipline and military skills as social determinants
- Incorporated intensive training from an early age
- Eventually corroded when powerful elite accumulated wealth and abandoned restrictive and disciplined lifestyle
- Athenian Society
- Early stages of development characterized by significant economic gaps, often leading to poverty and slavery
- Tensions resolved by Solon with the cancellation of slavery and debts
- Modified political system by introducing representatives of a common class
- The emphasis on democratic principles lowered the tension without wealth redistribution
Greece and the Larger World
- Colonization
- Dwindling resources and raising demands pressed the Greeks to establish colonies
- The Mediterranean region became dense with colonies by sixth-century B.C.E.
- Colonies yielded agricultural surplus as well as numerous important metals
- Latter colonies reached as far as modern France and the Black Sea
- In hindsight, colonization is credited for numerous improvements
- Enrichment of cultural traditions
- Enhancement of sciences and arts
- Establishment of trade routes
- Social modifications
- Conflicts with Persia
- The Persian emperors Cyrus and Darius attempted to control the region on Anatolia
- The revolt of Ionian cities backed by the Athenian fleet triggered a conflict known as Persian Wars
- The initial retaliation effort by Darius was successfully routed by the significantly smaller Athenian army during the battle of Marathon
- The conflict gradually escalated with the increasing number of troops brought by Xerxes but remained relatively fragmentary
- Military alliances, such as the Delian League, became a burden and a cause of internal tensions once the conflicts subsided, resulting in Peloponnesian War
- The war had a devastating effect on the reputation of the involved parties
- Macedonia
- Initially, an agrarian society, the kingdom of Macedon thrived on the cooperation with Greece
- Gained significant military power with the consolidating effort of king Philip
- Greece was unable to form an adequate response because of the exhausting Peloponnesian War
- With little opposition, overtook Greece by 338 B.C.E.
- Alexander the Great, Philip’s successor, used the inherited resources to conquer numerous states but failed to back the territories with administrative support
- Hellenistic Empires
- After the death of Alexander, the territories were fragmented
- Antigonid Empire benefited from the situation with the increase in trade and laborer influx
- Ptolemaic Empire retained the most administrative independence and used it to become the wealthiest region in the era
- Seleucid Empire showed numerous signs of Greek impact but incorporated Persian and Asian influences
Greek Economy and Society
- Mediterranean Basin
- Greece’s geography made it perfect for certain cultures (e.g. grapes and olives), thus promoting the development of trade
- Aside from significant profits, trading catalyzed the development of involved societies and provided communication means
- Some communities relied on trade more than on their agricultural capacity
- The growth of the surrounding cities made colonization a more attractive option
- The development of trade stimulated the emergence of various financial and economic schemes, such as rental, banking, and insurance.
- Manufacture and employment rose to satisfy the needs of the growing market
- Communication contributed to the uniformity of culture and religion and was strengthened by the panhellenic festivals
- Reinforced the sense of connection
- Promoted the development of literature, music, and culture
- Olympic Games, one of the best-recognized panhellenic festivals, featured numerous physical contests and cemented the establishment of collective identity
- Greece’s geography made it perfect for certain cultures (e.g. grapes and olives), thus promoting the development of trade
- Family and Society
- Greek society was largely patriarchal, with significant power in the husband’s hands
- Fathers could decide the fate of their children
- Killing a child was illegal
- Abandoning a newborn in the mountains was a common practice
- Exemption – Sparta, where women had relatively more rights
- Slaves played a significant part in the Greek labor market
- Former free Greeks enslaved for financial debts
- Prisoners captured in numerous wars
- Slaves supplied from slave markets of multiple colonies
- Depending on their skills, could reach a high position in the social hierarchy
- In extreme cases, could retain the freedom
Cultural Life
- Rational Thought
- Greek scholars preferred the scientific approach to belief in myths
- Numerous results illustrate the triumph of knowledge
- Accurate prediction of astronomical events
- Early concepts of atomic particles
- Evidence-based medicinal practices
- A systematic approach to mathematics
- Greek achievements served as an inspiration for European and Muslim scholars
- Philosophy
- Greece is considered a birthplace of philosophy
- Socrates inquired into the principles behind social interactions and human nature
- Developed an approach based on reflection
- Emphasized the importance of contemplating the purpose of existence
- Plato was Socrates’ most famous disciple
- Initially advocated the views of Socrates, later developed a unique view
- Sought integrity and intellectual control
- Applied his findings to conceptualizing the ultimate state in Republic
- Aristotle abandoned the theory of Forms and Ideas in favor of senses and reason
- Contributed to and pioneered several areas of physics, biology, astronomy, ethics, literature, politics, and psychology
- Religion
- Believed in the complex system of deities governed by numerous laws
- Most gods represented a certain quality of existence (e.g. wisdom, justice, and chance)
- Complexity and diversity of religion prompted the creation of numerous cults
- Some of the cults stimulated the development of arts, such as the theatrical festivals
- The phenomenon of poleis decentralized the administrative significance of authority and emphasized the necessity to adapt to living in a socially diverse environment
- Hellenistic movements prioritized individual development
- Epicureans sought pleasure as the ultimate good
- Skeptics rejected certainty in social and moral issues
- Stoics advocated concentration on duty for reaching personal tranquility