HISTORY OF ANCIENT GREECE

History of ancient Greece and Rome
1.3. Major Cultural Achievements and Developments of Greece
1.3.1 Region
The ancient Greeks were polytheists.
They had a rich set of myths about their gods and goddesses.
The ancient Greeks also believed that the gods and goddesses were not very different from humans.
Two main differences between the gods and humans.

Most gods and goddesses were stronger than humans.

Human lived temporary lives but the gods and goddesses lived forever.
1.3.2. Literature and Theater
About 950 B.C a blind poet named Homer believed he had a special purpose.

Two of Homer’s greatest epics are the Iliad and The Odyssey.
Theater had its beginnings in ancient Greece, growing out important religious festival.

Tragedies or plays have sad endings, were performed in the morning festivals.

Comedies are funny and have happy endings, were performed late in the day.

1.3.3. Philosophy
Is a Greek word meaning “love of wisdom”.
Athens’ most famous philosopher was a man named Socrates.
In 399 B.C Socrates was accused by the government of “forming an idea of revolt” among Athens’ young people.
One of Socrates’ most brilliant students was Plato.
He also found the world’s first university called the Academy.
The Academy last for 900 years after Plato’s death, spreading ideas to Europe, Asia and Africa.

1.3.4. Architecture
Called Acropolis, it was a hill-top fortress made up of many building.

It means “high city”.

The largest building on the Acropolis was the Parthenon.
1.4.The spread of Greeks Ideas
In 404 B.C lost its power, democracy and wealth to other Greek city-state that had united against Athens.
A new empire named Macedonia, admired Greek culture.
In 336 B.C, Alexander was crowned king of Macedonia.
Alexander The Great spread the cultural traditional of Greece to all these lands.