Unit 1: Lesson 1 Early Greece

Lesson Objective: 10.1.1

10.1.1: Students relate the moral and ethical principles in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, in Judaism, and in Christianity to the development of Western political thought. Analyze the similarities and differences in Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman views of law, reason and faith, and duties of the individual.

Lesson Introduction:

Much of what we know today of political systems, including many Democratic principles, western culture, architecture, philosophy and even the cultural blending of many nations, can be traced back to the land of ancient Greece. As you read through this chapter about the beginnings of Greek history, you will discover the interactions between the Mycenaeans, Minoans and early Dorian civilizations and the classical heritage they planted. Many of our current political systems, including democracy, aristocracy, and oligarchy, can be traced to the early forms of government established by the Greek city-states.

In this lesson, the student should focus on Greek government, especially democratic principles that can be related to Western political thought.

Key Terms: Mycenaean, Trojan War, Dorian, Homer, epic, myth, polis, acropolis, monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, tyrant, democracy, helot, phalanx, Persian Wars, direct democracy, classical art, tragedy, comedy, Peloponnesian War, philosopher, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle

Reading Assignment:

● Textbook: Chapter 5, Sections 1-3● Research: Explore the information, pictures and videos about the Early Greeks:

○ http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece

Self-check Questions:

1. Who were the first two people to settle Greece?a. Mycenaeans and Minoansb. Mycenaeans and Dorianc. Dorian and Spartansd. Athenians and Spartans

2. Who was Homer?a. A philosopher

b. Blind poetc. Greek actord. Greek God

3. What is an acropolis?a. Fortified hill-topb. Highest point in Spartac. Where the king livesd. Where Solon lived

4. Spartans valued _______, ________, and ________ over individuality, beauty, and freedom beliefs of the Athenians.

a. Women, conquest and strengthb. Conquest, duty and democracyc. Gods, leaders and kingsd. Duty, strength, and discipline

5. What was the Parthenon?a. Templeb. Courtc. Olympic Training Facilitiesd. Philosopher’s Corn

Application Assignment:

See “Unit 2” for assignment.

Speedback Questions:

1. What is the cause of many difficulties in uniting ancient Greece?A. The size of GreeceB. The geography of the regionC. Enemies of ancient GreeksD. Weather of the region

2. What separated the different regions of Greece?A. MountainsB. RiversC. HurricanesD. Enemy territory

3. Which of the following groups fought in the Peloponnesian War?A. Athens and SpartaB. Greece and PersiaC. Athens and ThebesD. Greece and Macedonia

4. All of the following were characteristics of Athens’s direct democracy EXCEPTA. An executive branchB. Leaders chosen by the aristocracyC. Political power limited to citizensD. Laws directly proposed and voted on by citizens

5. Who wrote The Republic, a book that explained how to run a perfectly governed society?A. PlatoB. PericlesC. SocratesD. Sophocles

6. A phalanx isA. A Greek mythology creatureB. A military formationC. A type of governmentD. A victory tradition

8. Sparta’s government is considered a _______________.A. MonarchyB. A democracyC. OligarchyD. Aristocracy

Final Exam Questions:

1. All of the following were characteristics of Athens’s direct democracy EXCEPTA. An executive branchB. Leaders chosen by the aristocracyC. Political power limited to citizensD. Laws directly proposed and voted on by citizens

2. The type of government that existed in Athens could be described asA. A monarchyB. A direct democracyC. An OligarchyD. An aristocracy

© 2013 Cassidy Baker