hieu 2031 ancient greece unit 3 study guides

Key Concepts and Timeline

• The Greek Dark Ages, also known as the Homeric Age or Geometric Period, lasted from ~1200 BC to 800 BC following the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization
• Characterized by a decline in population, loss of writing systems (Linear B), and a shift towards smaller, decentralized communities
• Emergence of the polis (city-state) as the primary form of political organization during the 8th century BC
• Development of the Greek alphabet, adapted from the Phoenician script, around 800 BC facilitated the recording of oral traditions
• Homer's epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, composed during this period, provide insight into the values and customs of the aristocratic society
  • The Iliad narrates events during the Trojan War, showcasing themes of honor, glory, and the heroic code
  • The Odyssey follows Odysseus' journey home after the war, emphasizing wit, cunning, and perseverance
• Rise of Pan-Hellenic festivals and sanctuaries, such as the Olympic Games (776 BC), fostered a sense of shared Greek identity

Social Structure and Aristocracy

• Greek society during the Dark Ages was hierarchical, with aristocrats at the top, followed by free citizens, and slaves at the bottom
• Aristocrats, also known as the "well-born" or "best people," derived their status from noble birth, land ownership, and military prowess
  • Aristocratic families often traced their lineage to legendary heroes or gods
  • Land ownership was a key source of wealth and power for the aristocracy
• Aristocrats were expected to embody the heroic ideal, displaying courage, honor, and excellence (aretē) in all aspects of life
• Guest-friendship (xenia) was an important social institution that established reciprocal relationships between aristocrats from different communities
  • Hosts were obligated to provide hospitality, protection, and gifts to their guests
  • Guests were expected to show respect and gratitude towards their hosts
• Aristocratic households were led by the male head of the family (kyrios), who held authority over his wife, children, and slaves
• Women's roles were primarily domestic, focusing on managing the household and raising children, although some aristocratic women wielded influence through their husbands or sons

Political Organization

• The collapse of the Mycenaean palace system led to the emergence of the polis (city-state) as the primary unit of political organization
• Each polis was an independent, self-governing community consisting of a city center and its surrounding agricultural territory
• Poleis were typically ruled by aristocratic councils (boulē) and assemblies of free male citizens
  • The council was responsible for making decisions on behalf of the polis and advising the assembly
  • The assembly, open to all male citizens, had the power to vote on proposals put forth by the council
• Monarchies, in the form of hereditary kingships, were rare during the Dark Ages, with most poleis adopting aristocratic or oligarchic forms of government
• Laws were often unwritten and based on custom, with disputes resolved through arbitration by aristocratic leaders or elders
• The concept of citizenship (politeia) began to develop, granting political rights and responsibilities to free male residents of the polis

Economic Systems

• The Dark Age economy was primarily agrarian, with most people engaged in subsistence farming and animal husbandry
• Land ownership was the primary source of wealth and status, with aristocratic families controlling the most fertile agricultural lands
• Craft production, such as pottery, metalworking, and weaving, was limited and often associated with aristocratic households
  • Geometric style pottery, characterized by precise, abstract designs, emerged during this period
• Trade was limited compared to the Mycenaean period, with most exchange occurring locally or regionally
  • Some long-distance trade routes, such as those connecting Greece with the Near East and Egypt, began to re-emerge towards the end of the Dark Ages
• The introduction of coinage in the 7th century BC, likely influenced by the Lydians of Anatolia, gradually transformed the Greek economy
• Gift exchange, particularly among aristocrats, served as an important means of establishing social bonds and alliances

Warfare and Military Culture

• Warfare was a central aspect of aristocratic life, with military prowess being a key source of honor and prestige
• Aristocratic warriors fought primarily as heavy infantry, equipped with bronze armor, shields, spears, and swords
  • The phalanx formation, a close-packed line of heavily armed infantry, began to develop during the late Dark Ages
• Chariots, which had been prominent in Mycenaean warfare, fell out of use, replaced by mounted cavalry in some regions
• Raiding and piracy were common practices, with aristocratic warriors often engaging in small-scale conflicts to acquire wealth, slaves, and glory
• The concept of the hero (hērōs) was central to Dark Age military culture, with warriors striving to emulate the deeds of legendary figures like Achilles and Odysseus
• Funeral games and other commemorative events were held to honor fallen warriors and celebrate their achievements
• The development of hoplite warfare in the 7th century BC, characterized by the use of heavy infantry armed with spears and shields, marked a significant shift in Greek military tactics and organization

Art, Literature, and Cultural Expressions

• The Dark Ages saw a decline in monumental architecture and the disappearance of the Mycenaean writing system (Linear B)
• Geometric art, characterized by precise, abstract designs, emerged as the dominant artistic style
  • Geometric pottery featured intricate patterns, such as meanders, zigzags, and triangles, often arranged in horizontal bands
  • Figural scenes, depicting humans and animals, began to appear on pottery towards the end of the Dark Ages
• Homer's epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, were composed and transmitted orally during this period
  • These epics provided a shared cultural framework and helped to preserve the values and traditions of the aristocratic society
• Other forms of poetry, such as hymns to the gods and elegies commemorating fallen warriors, also developed during the Dark Ages
• The emergence of the Greek alphabet, adapted from the Phoenician script, around 800 BC facilitated the recording and dissemination of literature
• Monumental sculpture, such as the life-sized marble statues known as kouroi and korai, began to appear in the late Dark Ages, marking a renewed interest in representational art

Religious Beliefs and Practices

• Greek religion during the Dark Ages was polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses believed to reside on Mount Olympus
  • The twelve major Olympian deities included Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Demeter, and Dionysus
• Religious practices centered around the worship of these deities through prayers, sacrifices, and festivals
  • Animal sacrifices, particularly of cattle, sheep, and goats, were common offerings to the gods
  • Libations, the pouring of wine or other liquids, were also a frequent form of offering
• Oracles, such as those at Delphi and Dodona, served as important centers of religious and political authority
  • People sought the advice of oracles on matters ranging from personal decisions to matters of state policy
• Mystery cults, such as the Eleusinian Mysteries, began to emerge during the Dark Ages, offering initiates the promise of a better afterlife
• The concept of miasma, or ritual pollution, was central to Greek religious thought, with purification rituals required to cleanse individuals and communities
• Funeral rites and ancestor worship were important aspects of religious practice, with tombs and grave markers serving as focal points for remembrance and veneration

Legacy and Historical Significance

• The Greek Dark Ages laid the foundation for the development of Classical Greek civilization
• The emergence of the polis as the primary unit of political organization set the stage for the rise of democracy in Athens and other Greek city-states
• The values and ideals embodied in Homer's epics, such as honor, glory, and excellence (aretē), continued to shape Greek culture throughout the Classical period
• The development of the Greek alphabet facilitated the spread of literacy and the recording of literature, philosophy, and scientific knowledge
• The religious beliefs and practices established during the Dark Ages, including the worship of the Olympian gods and the importance of oracles and mystery cults, remained central to Greek culture
• The artistic styles and techniques developed during the Dark Ages, particularly in pottery and sculpture, influenced the development of Classical Greek art
• The military innovations of the Dark Ages, such as the adoption of hoplite warfare, had a lasting impact on Greek military tactics and organization
• The legacy of the Greek Dark Ages continues to influence modern Western culture, with the epics of Homer and the values they embody remaining widely studied and celebrated