Ancient Greece: Difference between revisions

From Citizendium
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>Domergue Sumien
(link to 'Greece')
imported>John Leach
(broader structure; shortened intro; categorised)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{subpages}}
In ancient times, a loose collection of [[Greek language|Greek]]-speaking [[city-state]]s predominated throughout the eastern end of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and formed a brilliant civilisation that has left a huge legacy in the fields of culture, politics and science. Greek civilisation was first established in mainland [[Greece]], [[Crete]], western [[Asia Minor]] and throughout the islands of the [[Aegean Sea]], but it became widespread with colonies founded as far afield as the [[Black Sea]], [[Italy]], the [[Levant]] and [[North Africa]].
'''Ancient [[Greece]]''' was a loose collection of [[Greek language|Greek]]-speaking [[city-state]]s centered on the [[Aegean Sea]].  The most famous of these city-states was [[ancient Athens|Athens]], because it was the center of the Athenian Empire (called the [[Delian League]]), and because it bred such keen minds and great artists as the philosopher [[Socrates]], the historian [[Thucydides]], and the playwright/poet [[Sophocles]].  Ancient Greece, and especially Athens, is credited with a host of innovations, so that it has often been described as the (or a) cradle of Western civilization.  [[Democracy]], in one form, arose there, and popularized especially by the great Athenian statesman [[Pericles]].  [[Philosophy]], [[natural science]], [[historiography]], the [[theater]], [[realism]] in the arts, and many other disciplines and arts had their origin in ancient Greece. Perhaps at the root of this remarkable civilization is what has sometimes been called the spirit of ancient Greece is often described--and admired--as being devoted to independent, critical rationality, the individual, and the creative drive to excel.
=Political History=
==Early Greece==


===The Bronze Age and Earlier===
==History==
===Prehistoric===


===The Dark Age===
===Neolithic===


===The Archaic Period===
===Bronze Age===
====Minoan Crete====


==The Classical Period==
====Mycenae====


===Classical Athens===
===Archaic===
*[[Thales]]
*[[Euclid]] (Εύκλείδες, c. 300 BCE) was a Greek mathematician. He worked in Alexandria at the Museum founded by Ptolemy I. He systematized the geometric and arithmetic knowledge of his times in thirteen Books—Euclid's elements (Στοιχεία).


===Sparta===
===Classical===
====Persian Wars====


===The Persian Wars===
====Peloponnesian War====


===The Peloponnesian War===
===Fourth century===
====Rise of Macedon====


==The Fourth Century==
====Alexander the Great====


==Philip II of Macedon & Alexander the Great==
===Hellenistic===
====Roman Greece====


==The Hellenistic Kingdoms==
==Culture==
===Art and architecture===


==Greece under the Romans==
===Exploration, trade and colonisation===


=Social History=
===Literature and drama===
=Literature=
Numerous great writers flourished throughout Greek civilisation. They included historians like [[Herodotus]] and [[Thucydides]]; dramatists such as [[Aristophanes]], [[Aeschylus]], [[Sophocles]] and [[Euripides]]; and poets such as [[Sappho]].
=Art=
 
===Philosophy and science===
[[Thales of Miletus]] was an early Greek philosopher who correctly predicted the solar eclipse on 28 May 585 BCE.
 
In classical times, Athens was the main centre of philosophical and scientific research. Its three most famous philosophers were [[Socrates]], [[Plato]] and [[Aristotle]].
 
[[Euclid]] (Εύκλείδες, c. 300 BCE) was a Greek mathematician who worked in [[Alexandria]] at the Museum founded by [[Ptolemy I]]. He systematised the geometric and arithmetic knowledge of his times in thirteen books called the ''Elements'' (Στοιχεία).
 
===Politics===
====Athens====
Athens has been called the cradle of [[democracy]] in that its government during the classical period was in the hands of its citizens, who formed an assembly for debate and decision. Leaders like [[Pericles]] were elected by popular vote instead of being installed by force of arms, as in earlier times when the city was ruled by '''tyrannoi'' (dictators) like [[Pisistratus]].
 
Even during its democratic period, however, Athens was a slave-owning imperial power. In the aftermath of the Second Persian War, they formed a trading confederation called the [[Delian League]] which became an Athenian Empire.
 
====Corinth====
 
====Sparta====
 
====Thebes====
 
===Religion===
 
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
 
[[Category:Historical periods]]

Revision as of 01:22, 9 October 2019

In ancient times, a loose collection of Greek-speaking city-states predominated throughout the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea and formed a brilliant civilisation that has left a huge legacy in the fields of culture, politics and science. Greek civilisation was first established in mainland Greece, Crete, western Asia Minor and throughout the islands of the Aegean Sea, but it became widespread with colonies founded as far afield as the Black Sea, Italy, the Levant and North Africa.

History

Prehistoric

Neolithic

Bronze Age

Minoan Crete

Mycenae

Archaic

Classical

Persian Wars

Peloponnesian War

Fourth century

Rise of Macedon

Alexander the Great

Hellenistic

Roman Greece

Culture

Art and architecture

Exploration, trade and colonisation

Literature and drama

Numerous great writers flourished throughout Greek civilisation. They included historians like Herodotus and Thucydides; dramatists such as Aristophanes, Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides; and poets such as Sappho.

Philosophy and science

Thales of Miletus was an early Greek philosopher who correctly predicted the solar eclipse on 28 May 585 BCE.

In classical times, Athens was the main centre of philosophical and scientific research. Its three most famous philosophers were Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.

Euclid (Εύκλείδες, c. 300 BCE) was a Greek mathematician who worked in Alexandria at the Museum founded by Ptolemy I. He systematised the geometric and arithmetic knowledge of his times in thirteen books called the Elements (Στοιχεία).

Politics

Athens

Athens has been called the cradle of democracy in that its government during the classical period was in the hands of its citizens, who formed an assembly for debate and decision. Leaders like Pericles were elected by popular vote instead of being installed by force of arms, as in earlier times when the city was ruled by 'tyrannoi (dictators) like Pisistratus.

Even during its democratic period, however, Athens was a slave-owning imperial power. In the aftermath of the Second Persian War, they formed a trading confederation called the Delian League which became an Athenian Empire.

Corinth

Sparta

Thebes

Religion

Notes