Alexander the Great

Macedonian kings dreamed of conquest of both Greece and Persia. The thought of themselves as Greeks but the Greeks looked down upon the Macedonians. Philip II used a 16x16 man phalanx to conquer Northern Greece at just 23 and prepared to move into the rest of Greece. Philip II conquered Greece after the city-states failed to unite themselves. Philip II was stabbed at his daughter's wedding and his son, Alexander took over power. Alexander was only 20 when he took over power and was a pupil of Aristotle. He put down a rebellion in Thebes and reassured that no more rebellions would follow after. Alexander led 35,000 soldiers to invade the Persian empire. Alexander won multiple battles in which he was greatly outnumbered due to his cunning plans. he conquered Egypt and Mesopotamia and drove Darius out of power. Alexander followed Darius east, but found him already dead. However, Alexander still moved West to conquer Asia. He reached the Indus valley but his soldiers wanted to return home after 11 years and marching 11,000 miles. Alexander became terminally ill at just 32 years old and died. His generals fought for control of the empire and it was eventually divided up between them. Antigonous controlled Macedonia and the Greek city-states, Ptolemy became pharaoh of Egypt, and Seleucus took the old Persian empire.  

Presentation Day 1

Today my group did not present our project but 3 other groups did. Art, government, and theater went today. I learned that a frieze is a picture sculpted on the side of the building such as the sculpture on the top of the Parthenon. As much as 14,000 people could fill up a theater. All actors were male.

Project Day 2

For my project, my group got the Delian League. It has been pretty easy so far and we have created 10 slides on the history of the group, areas it controlled, modern examples, and the relations with Sparta. This should be an easy A so hopefully the presentation will be easy as well.

Project

For my project, my group got the Delian League. It has been pretty easy so far and we have created 10 slides on the history of the group, areas it controlled, modern examples, and the relations with Sparta. This should be an easy A so hopefully the presentation will be easy as well.

Democracy and Greece's Golden Age

Pericles was the leader of Athens from 461-429 B.C. and for the majority of the Golden Age. Pericles used the Dalian League's treasury to fund projects for Athens like strengthening the navy and building statues for Athens. Pericles got more citizens involved with government with increasing the amount of officials with a paid salary. The Parthenon was built during this age and theaters were built to house plays and other works.  

Test Review

For tomorrows  test I need to point out different things on a map. I always forget the Adriatic sea, which is to the North, the Ionian sea, which is to the West, and the Aegean sea, which is to the East. I also forget about the 3 different rulers that reformed Athenian society, Draco, Solon, and Cleisthenes. Draco developed a code that all people were equal under law but death was a common punishment. Solon outlawed debt slavery and Cleisthenes founded the council of the 500. 

Cyber Day 2

Persia threatened to invade Athens and the other Greek city-states starting at around 546 B.C. Athens reformed its military to allow all citizens in the army now that they used iron, which was cheaper and lighter than the bronze previously used before when only the rich served. Athens backed a revolt in a Greek territory conquered by Persia. Persia then vowed to destroy Athens after the revolt was put down. Persia attempted to assault the Greek mainland but were halted by the Greeks at the battle of Thermopylae. The Greeks were highly outnumbered and began to retreat as 300 Spartans defended the pass for three days. The Persians had a Greek informant that found a different pass in the mountains and advanced around the Spartans. Athens and other city-states formed the Dilian League and forced the Persians retreat. Athens emerged as the leader of this league and entered into a brief golden age.

Sub Work

1. Pericles increased the number of public officials that were being paid a salary and introduced direct democracy to Athens.
2. Athens wanted to avoid land battles and wait to strike Sparta from the sea. Sparta marched on Athens, destroying the countryside.
3. Athens was the center of knowledge while Sparta was a military power. Athens encouraged thinking and sharing knowledge while Sparta discouraged all forms of personal expression.

Main Ideas Pg. 139

1. Pericles increased the number of public officials that were being paid a salary and introduced direct democracy to Athens.
2. Athens wanted to avoid land battles and wait to strike Sparta from the sea. Sparta marched on Athens, destroying the countryside.
3. Socrates challenged the normal way of thinking for Athenians. Their lives revolved around their gods and Socrates wanted them to use science and reason.

Greek Military

Sparta and Athens both had extremely strong militaries that were easily able to conquer enemies and hold off invasions. Sparta relied on its infantry while Athens focused on its naval power. Sparta organized troops into phalanxes, close ranged defensive units that used a combination of a spear and a shield to defend against their opponents. Athens used a ship called a trireme, an engineering marvel that could be used as a battering ram to destroy enemy vessels. Up to 170 people could row on 3 levels to power the ship.

Persian Wars

Persia threatened to invade Athens and the other Greek city-states starting at around 546 B.C. Athens reformed its military to allow all citizens in the army now that they used iron, which was cheaper and lighter than the bronze previously used before when only the rich served. Athens backed a revolted in a Greek territory conquered by Persia and Persia then vowed to destroy Athens after the revolt was put down. Athens and other city-states formed the Dilian League and made the Persians retreat. Athens emerged as the leader of this league and entered into a brief golden age.

Athens and Sparta

Athens and Sparta were rival city-states in ancient Greece. Athens was more concentrated on the arts and studies while Sparta was concerned with its military. Athens however, had a stronger navy. Sparta began training their boys for war at age 7 and they were released from service at age 60. Athens built a limited democracy were all citizens could vote but only the top 3 social classes could hold office. In Sparta, all forms of personal expression were discouraged and athletic competition was a priority for Spartans.