hieu 2031 ancient greece unit 10 study guides

Key Events and Timeline

• Athens emerges as a dominant power in the Greek world following the Persian Wars (499-449 BCE)
• Delian League formed in 478 BCE as a defensive alliance against the Persian threat
  • Athens assumes leadership of the league and begins to transform it into an empire
• Pericles rises to power in Athens around 460 BCE, ushering in the Golden Age of Athens
• First Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta occurs from 460-445 BCE
  • Conflict ends with the Thirty Years' Peace treaty
• Construction of the Parthenon on the Acropolis begins in 447 BCE, symbolizing Athenian wealth and power
• Second Peloponnesian War breaks out in 431 BCE, ultimately leading to Athens' defeat by Sparta in 404 BCE
• Athenian democracy is briefly overthrown by the oligarchic coup of the Thirty Tyrants in 404 BCE, but is restored in 403 BCE

Political Developments

• Athenian democracy reaches its height under the leadership of Pericles
  • Reforms include the introduction of pay for public offices and jury service, making participation accessible to all citizens
• Pericles' policies focus on strengthening Athens' power and influence, both within the Delian League and in the broader Greek world
• The Athenian assembly (ekklesia) becomes the primary decision-making body, with all male citizens eligible to participate
• The Council of 500 (boule) is responsible for setting the agenda for the assembly and overseeing daily governance
• Ostracism is used as a political tool to remove potential threats to democracy
  • Notable figures ostracized include Themistocles and Cimon
• The Athenian empire's growth leads to increased tensions with other Greek city-states, particularly Sparta

Military Strategies and Conflicts

• Athens relies on its powerful navy to maintain control over the Delian League and project power throughout the Aegean
  • The navy is financed by tribute from league members and the Laurion silver mines
• Pericles' strategy during the Second Peloponnesian War involves avoiding direct confrontation with Sparta's superior land forces
  • Athens focuses on maintaining its naval supremacy and protecting its empire
• The Sicilian Expedition (415-413 BCE) proves to be a turning point in the war, with Athens suffering a major defeat
  • The expedition weakens Athens' military and financial resources, contributing to its eventual defeat
• Athenian military innovations include the development of the trireme warship and the use of hoplite infantry in conjunction with naval forces

Economic Factors

• Athens' economic prosperity is closely tied to its empire and control of trade routes in the Aegean
  • The Delian League treasury is moved from Delos to Athens in 454 BCE, giving Athens direct control over the funds
• Tribute from league members provides a significant source of revenue for Athens
  • Funds are used to finance public works, such as the Parthenon, and to maintain the navy
• The Athenian silver mines at Laurion contribute to the city's wealth and help finance its military endeavors
• Athens' economic dominance leads to the growth of a wealthy elite and the emergence of a large urban population
  • This population becomes increasingly dependent on imported grain, making Athens vulnerable to naval blockades

Cultural and Social Changes

• The Golden Age of Athens sees a flourishing of art, architecture, literature, and philosophy
  • Notable figures include the sculptor Phidias, the playwright Sophocles, and the philosopher Socrates
• Athenian society becomes more stratified, with a growing divide between the wealthy elite and the poorer citizens
  • This tension is partially mitigated by the introduction of pay for public offices and jury service
• The Athenian education system emphasizes rhetoric, philosophy, and the arts, reflecting the city's cultural values
• Athenian citizenship remains exclusive, with only male children of Athenian parents eligible for full citizenship rights
  • Women, slaves, and foreigners (metics) are excluded from political participation
• The Peloponnesian War takes a toll on Athenian society, with the city experiencing plague, famine, and social unrest

The Delian League

• The Delian League is formed in 478 BCE as a defensive alliance against the Persian Empire
  • Member states contribute ships or financial tribute to the league's common treasury
• Athens assumes leadership of the league due to its naval power and role in the Persian Wars
  • Over time, Athens begins to treat the league as an extension of its own empire
• The league's treasury is moved from Delos to Athens in 454 BCE, symbolizing Athens' growing control
• Athens uses the league's resources to finance its own projects and military campaigns
  • This leads to resentment among some member states, who view Athens as a tyrannical power
• Attempts by league members to secede or challenge Athenian authority are met with military force (Naxos, Thasos)
  • These actions further solidify Athens' control over the league and its transformation into an empire

Athenian Democracy in Practice

• Athenian democracy is characterized by direct participation of citizens in the decision-making process
  • All male citizens over the age of 18 are eligible to attend the assembly (ekklesia) and vote on policies
• The assembly meets regularly to debate and vote on matters of state, including war, foreign policy, and legislation
  • Decisions are made by majority vote, with each citizen having an equal say
• The Council of 500 (boule) is responsible for setting the agenda for the assembly and overseeing daily governance
  • Members are selected annually by lot from among the eligible citizens
• Athenian democracy also features a system of public offices and jury service, with citizens serving in rotation
  • This helps to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals
• Critics of Athenian democracy, such as Plato and Thucydides, argue that it can lead to populism and poor decision-making
  • The Sicilian Expedition is often cited as an example of the dangers of unchecked democratic enthusiasm

Legacy and Historical Significance

• The rise of Athens as an imperial power marks a significant shift in the balance of power in the Greek world
  • Athens' dominance challenges the traditional hegemony of Sparta and sets the stage for the Peloponnesian Wars
• Athenian democracy serves as a model and inspiration for future democratic movements
  • The idea of direct citizen participation in government influences later political thinkers and revolutionaries
• The cultural achievements of the Golden Age of Athens have a lasting impact on Western art, literature, and philosophy
  • The works of Athenian playwrights, sculptors, and philosophers continue to be studied and admired to this day
• The rise and fall of the Athenian Empire offers valuable lessons about the challenges of maintaining power and the dangers of overextension
  • Athens' ultimate defeat in the Peloponnesian War demonstrates the limits of imperial ambition and the importance of strategic restraint
• The legacy of Athenian democracy remains a subject of debate, with scholars examining its strengths, weaknesses, and relevance to modern political systems