power point 6 athens
TRANSCRIPT
THE RISE OFGREEK
CIVILIZATION
Chapter 2
Athena: Athens’ Patron Goddess
Goddess of wisdom, war (strategy), arts and crafts
Legend = olive tree
Monuments, statues in her honor
The Parthenon: Athena’s Temple
Ruins of Athena’s Temple on the Acropolis
Athenians built a huge statue of Athena inside the Parthenon
Athens’ Humble Beginning
A Slow Start Slow to come into
prominence
Less advanced than other poleis
No major trade routes, no land shortage
○ Growing population ok
Less political pressure from outsiders
This is an artist’s interpretation of what the ancient city of Athens might have looked like.
Athens’ Earliest Form of Government
Favoring the Nobles
Ruled by aristocrats
Got most, best land
Dominated religious and political life
Clothes Make the Man?For the ancient Greeks, clothing was less about style and more about status.
You only had to see a person’s clothing to determine his station in life.
Look closely at this picture. Can you tell who is at the top of the social ladder, and who is at the bottom?
The Chiton
Many wealthy Greek women wore a linen chiton, like the ones you see here. This garment was made from a very long and very wide, rectangular piece of fabric
that was sewn up at the sides, and then pinned or sewn at the shoulders. Women often wore a belt around the waist.
Children’s ClothingGreek babies often wore nothing at all, but sometimes they wore cloth diapers. If it was cold, they would be wrapped in a warm blanket.
Many children wore cloth wrapped around their middles, like shorts.
As they grew older, aristocratic children would begin wearing robes like their fathers wore.
Athens’ Ruling Council
The Areopagus
The Romans called this site “Mars Hill” because it was
dedicated to the god of war.
No written laws at first
Rules based on tradition + aristocratic preference
Athens governed by areopagus
Council of nobles
Term comes from hill where nobles met
Archons Council elected nine archons every year
Magistrates = judges
Served for one year, then joined Areopagus
Served on Areopagus for life
○ Archonship = stepping stone to position on Areopagus
Quarreling and Change
Athenian nobles argued over land, food
Cylon tried to take control but failed.
Draco emerged as the leader.
Draco’s Rule
Draco’s laws were so severe that people today refer to
harsh laws as “Draconian law.”
Authority to codify, publish laws (first time)
Harsh laws; “written in blood”
Result = people angry at nobles
Thought Draco was abusing his power
Crisis: Food Shortages
Poor soil conditions
No crop rotation
Expensive to plant crops
Debt and Poverty Farmers in debt
Promised portion of crops to lender
Some pledged wives, children, themselves for loans
Result: Many Athenians poor, in debt, enslaved
○ Some sold abroad
Solon: The First Reformer
Elected as the only archon that year
Given new authority
Create laws
Amend the constitution
Enacted reforms that helped Athenian citizens
Solon’s Economic Reforms
Cancelled debts
Forbad loans that could result in slavery
Brought many enslaved Athenians back
Solon’s reforms = “Shaking off of Burdens”
Benefits of Economic Reforms
This ancient vase shows us how Greek farmers harvested olives.
Can you tell what they are doing?
Forbad export of wheat
Wheat for Attica; not dependent on foreigners
Encouraged export of olive oil, wine = cash
Changed standards of weights and measures
Conformed with other, affluent poleis; encouraged trade
The Importance of Olives
Olive oil was used every day, for many things:
Eating
○ A typical meal might include bread, fish, wine, and olives.
Cooking Lamps Bathing
Olive Oil and Its Many Uses
Here is an example of a Greek lamp that would have used olive oil.
The Greeks would rub olive oil on their bodies, then scrape it off, taking dirt with it.
That is what this athlete is doing in this picture, which was found on an ancient Greek vase.
Standard Weights and Measures
Solon changed Athenian standards of weights and measures so that they matched the weights and measures
that other leading poleis were using.
Solon’s Political Reforms Changed the Constitution
Earlier citizenship = adult males with citizen fathers
Citizenship now included:
○ Foreign artisans, immigrant tradesmen, merchants
Added Court of Appeal; weakened nobles’ power
Four Classes of Society
1st, 2nd groups (highest) = could hold archonship
3rd group = could serve as hoplites
Possible election to council of 400 citizens
4th group = thetes (land owners, not nobles)
Vote for archons, council members, council business
Pisistratus: Athens’ First Tyrant
Pisistratus ruling
tyrant = ruler who comes to power in unorthodox or unconstitutional way
Nobleman
Tried to overthrow government; failed twice
Came back with mercenary soldiers; succeeded
His Public Works Programs Encouraged religious
piety
Built temples and religious centers
Supported poets, artists
Brought attention to Athens through festivals
His Political Policies Increased power of
central government
Power taken away from nobles
Circuit judges heard cases in country
Weakened power of local nobles
Making the People Happy Honored Solon’s constitution
Assemblies, councils filled with Pisistratus’ supporters
People generally happy with his rule
Hippias: The Next Tyrant Son of Pisistratus
Brother murdered; became suspicious, harsh
Exiled noble clan, Alcmaeonids
They asked Sparta for help
Spartan Intervention Sparta’s king = Cleomenes I
Attacked Athens
Deposed Hippias
Ended the tyranny
Isagoras: Pro Sparta Friend of Spartan king,
Cleomenes I
Wanted to rule Athens
Revoked citizenship for Solon’s new groups
Opposed Alcmaeonids
One Alcmaeonid challenged Isagoras for control
Clisthenes’ Victory Favored Alcmaeonids
Initially lost
Asked the people for their support
Never done before Won with the people’s help
Struggle for Control The people wanted
Clisthenes to rule
Isagoras asked Sparta to expel Clisthenes
Sparta said ok, but people revolted
Drove out Spartans – and Isagoras!
Clisthenes: new leader
Clisthenes: Father of Democracy
Restored citizenship; added new citizens
Deme became basic unit of civic life
deme = small community within city, political unit
Clisthenes’ Other Reforms
Clisthenes encouraged open debate.
Any Athenian could suggest legislation, offer amendments, or argue law.
Established council of 500
Council’s role:
Prepare legislation for discussion in Assembly
Financial duties
Receive foreign dignitaries