AP World History Class Notes, Bentley Brief Edition Although the Greeks did not build a centralized state until the short reign of Alexander of Macedon, they did serve to link the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions through colonization, commerce, and cultural interaction. Through their unprecedented abilities as sea traders, and later through the unification provided by the Hellenistic empires, the Greeks left a rich cultural legacy of politics, philosophy, art, literature, and science that would go on to shape the European and Islamic worlds for centuries. Some of the enduring innovations for which the classical Greek cultures are best known include The earliest of form of democracy, the best realization of which was found in Athens under the leadership of the statesman Pericles. The establishment of hundreds of cities throughout the Mediterranean basin and southwest Asia. Unique contributions to literature in the forms of mythology, poetry, drama, and essays. The contributions of the rational philosophical thought of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle and later the Epicureans, the Skeptics, and the Stoics. Likewise, this chapter traces the growth and development of Rome from its humble beginnings on the banks of the Tiber River through its republican phase and its transformation into a sprawling, cosmopolitan empire encompassing much of Europe and northern Africa. A tight administrative structure and organized trade network promoted the movement of people, goods, and ideas throughout the empire. The Romans had a significant impact on later Mediterranean, European, and southwest Asian cultures. These influences include, but are not limited to: The concept of a republican form of government governed by a constitution and a fixed body of law that guaranteed the rights of citizens. Elaborate transportation and communications networks with sophisticated roads, sea lanes linking port cities, and an imperial postal system. Economically specialized regions, either in the development of cash crops for export or in localized industries. New cities built throughout the empire with unprecedented levels of sanitation, comfort, and entertainment opportunities. Widespread dissemination of philosophical beliefs and values, like Stoicism, and religions of salvation, like Christianity. 1. Early Development of Greek Society A. Minoan and Mycenaean Societies 1) Minoan society arose on Crete, late 3 rd millennium BCE 2) Mycenaean society: named after important city, Mycenae 3) Chaos in the eastern Mediterranean after War (c. 1200 BCE) B. The World of the Polis Gradually Emerged in Greece 1) Sparta began to extend control 8 th 7 th centuries BCE a. Reduced neighboring peoples to helots, (semi-free servants) b. Maintained domination by a powerful military machine 2) Spartan society a. Discouraged social distinction, observed austere lifestyle b. Distinction drawn by prowess, discipline, & military talent SB-Q#1 How have different forms of governance been constructed and maintained over time?
2 AP World History Class Notes, Bentley Brief Edition 3) Athens gradually broadened base of political participation a. sought to negotiate order by democratic principles b. Citizenship to free adult males, but not foreigners, slaves, women 4) Athenian society a. Maritime trade brought about prosperity to Athens b. primary beneficiaries = aristocratic landowners 5) (443-429 BCE), Athens most popular democratic leader 2. Greece and the Larger World A. Greek Colonization 1) Greeks founded more than 400 colonies a. Facilitated trade among Mediterranean lands and people b. Spread of Greek language & cultural traditions B. Conflict with Persia 1) The Persian War (500-479 BCE) a. Greek cities on Ionian coast revolted against Persia, 500 BCE b. Battle of, 490 BCE, decisive victory for Athens c. tried again to seize Athens; his navy lost Battle of Salamis (480 BCE) d. Persian army retreated back to Anatolia 2) Delian League, Mil/financial alliance among Greek poleis vs. Persia 3) The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) a. Tensions led to two armed camps, led by Athens & Sparta b. Unconditional surrender of Athens, 404 BCE C. The Macedonians and the Coming of Empire 1) Philip of Macedon (r. 359-336 BCE) brought Greece under control 2) (The Great) succeeded Philip, age 20, began conquests a. By 331 BCE, controlled Syria, Egypt, Mesopotamia b. Invaded Persian homeland & burned Persepolis, 331 BCE c. Crossed Indus River by 327 BCE, army refused to go farther d. Died in 323 BCE at age 33 D. The Hellenistic Empires 1) empire: Greece & Macedon a. Continuous tension btwn Antigonid rulers & Greek cities b. Athens & Corinth s Economy flourished again thru trade 2) The empire: Egypt the wealthiest a. The rulers did not interfere in Egyptian society b. Alexandria, capital at mouth of the Nile c. Cultural center: famous Alexandria Museum & Library 3) The empire: largest, from Bactria to Anatolia a. Greek & Macedonian colonists flocked to Greek cities of former Persia b. Colonists created a Mediterranean-style urban society c. Bactria withdrew & established independent Greek kingdom SB-Q#2 How have economic, social, cultural, & environmental contexts influenced the processes of state building, expansion, and dissolution? SB-Q#3 How have conflicts, exchanges, and alliances influenced the processes of state building, expansion, and dissolution?
AP World History Class Notes, Bentley Brief Edition 3 3. The Fruits of Trade: Greek Economy and Society A. Trade and the Integration of the Mediterranean Basin 1) Trade & commerce flourished pop. growth & more colonies a. Produced olive oil & wine, in exchange for grain & other items b. Led to broader sense of Greek community 2) Panhellenic festivals (like Games) became popular B. Family and Society 1) Greek society in Homer s works a. Heroic warriors & outspoken wives in Homer s world 2) Patriarchal society was the norm a. Women couldn t own land/property but could operate small businesses b. Priestess was the only public position for women c. Spartan women enjoyed higher status than women of other poleis 3) Sappho: Talented female poet wrote poems of attraction to women a. Charged w/ homosexual activity (not acceptable for women) 4) Slavery: private chattel, property of their owners a. Worked as cultivators, domestic servants b. Educated/skilled slaves worked as craftsmen & business managers 4. The Cultural Life of Classical Greece A. Rational Thought and Philosophy 1) Formation of Greek culture: philosophy based on human reason 2) (470-399 BCE): An unexamined life is not worth living a. Encouraged reflection on questions of ethics & morality b. Condemned to death on charge of corrupting Athenian youths 3) (430-347 BCE): A zealous disciple of Socrates a. The theory of Forms or Ideas world of ideal qualities b. This world is imperfect reflection of world of Forms c. His expressed the ideal of philosophical kings 4) (384-322 BCE): Plato s student, but distrusted Forms theory a. Devised rules of logic to construct powerful arguments b. Philosophers should rely on senses to provide accurate info 5) Legacy of Greek philosophy a. Intellectual authorities for European philosophers until 17 th C b. Intellectual inspiration for Christian & Islamic theologians B. Popular Religion and Greek Drama 1) Greek deities: & scores of subordinates 2) Various types of religious cults; Cult of Dionysus most popular 3) Drama was performed at annual theatrical festivals a. Great tragedians explored possibilities & limitations of humans b. Comic drama took delight in lampooning the public figures ECON-Q#1 How and to what extent have modes of production and commerce changed over time? ECON-Q#2 How have different labor systems developed and changed over time? CUL-Q#1 How & why have religions, belief systems, philosophies, & ideologies developed and transformed as they spread from their places of origin to other regions?
4 AP World History Class Notes, Bentley Brief Edition C. Hellenistic Philosophy and Religion 1) The Hellenistic philosophers: search for personal tranquility a. Epicureans: identified pleasure as the greatest good b. Skeptics: doubted certainty of knowledge, sought equanimity c. Stoics: taught individuals duty to aid others & lead virtuous lives 2) Religions of salvation spread through trade routes a. Mystery religions promised eternal bliss(e.g. Cult of Osiris) b. Speculation about a single, universal god emerged 5. Rome: From Kingdom to Republic A. The Etruscans and Rome 1) and : legendary twins rescued by a she-wolf; founded Rome in 753 BCE 2) The Etruscans dominated Italy 8 th 5 th centuries BCE SB-Q#1 How have different forms of governance been constructed and maintained over time? B. The Roman and its Constitution 1) Establishment a. Rome nobility deposed the last Etruscan king, 509 BCE b. Republican constitution included two consuls: civil & military c. were elected by an assembly dominated by patricians d. Senate advised the consuls & ratified major decisions e. Both Senate & consuls represented the interests of the patricians 2) Conflicts btwn patricians & plebeians a. Patricians granted plebeians the tribunes b. Tribunes power to intervene & veto decisions c. Plebeians tribunes dominated Roman politics, early 3 rd C BCE SB-Q#3 How have conflicts, exchanges, and alliances influenced the processes of state building, expansion, and dissolution? C. The expansion of the Republic 1) Rome consolidated its position in Italy, 5 th -4 th C BCE 2) Conflict w/ Carthage (Punic Wars) & Hellenistic realms 3) Rome became preeminent power in E & W Mediterranean 6. From Republic to Empire A. Imperial Expansion and Domestic Problems 1) Gracchi brothers supported land redistribution; both assassinated 2) Military commanders recruited rural & urban poor loyal armies a. Gaius Marius: general who advocated land redistribution b. Conservative aristocrats supported General Lucius Cornelius Sulla 3) Civil war B. The Foundation of Empire 1) : very popular social reformer & conqueror (Gaul) a. Seized Rome, 49 BCE b. Claimed the title dictator for life, 46 BCE c. Social reforms & centralized control d. Assassinated in 44 BCE
AP World History Class Notes, Bentley Brief Edition 5 2) brought civil conflict to an end a. Senate bestowed title, 27 BCE b. Monarchy disguised as a republic c. Created a new standing army under his control d. Imperial institutions began to take root C. Continuing Expansion and Integration of the Empire 1) Roman expansion into Med. basin, W Europe, up Nile to Kush 2), Roman Peace, for ~200 years 3) Well-engineered Roman roads; postal system 4) Roman law tradition: (450 BCE) 7. Economy and Society in the Roman Mediterranean A. Trade and Urbanization 1) Latifundia owners focused on specialized production for export 2) The Mediterranean became a Roman lake a. Sea lanes linked ports of the Mediterranean b. Roman navy kept the seas largely free of pirates 3) The city of Rome a. Wealth fueled urban development (statues, pools, fountains, arches, temples, stadiums) first use of concrete as construction material b. Rome attracted numerous immigrants c. Attractions: baths, pools, gymnasia, circuses, stadiums, theaters B. Family and Society in Roman Times 1) The eldest male of the family ruled a. Women wielded considerable influence w/in their families b. Many women supervised family business & wealthy estates 2) Wealth & social change a. Newly rich classes built palatial houses, threw lavish banquets b. Cultivators & urban masses lived at subsistence level c. Poor classes became a serious problem in Rome & other cities d. No urban policy developed, only bread & circuses 3) Slavery 1/3 of the population a. uprising in 73 BCE b. Urban slaves saw better conditions & possible manumission ECON-Q#1 How and to what extent have modes of production and commerce changed over time? SOC-Q#1 How have distinctions based on kinship, ethnicity, class, gender, & race influenced the development & transformations of social hierarchies? ECON-Q#2 How have different labor systems developed and changed over time?
6 AP World History Class Notes, Bentley Brief Edition 8. The Cosmopolitan Mediterranean A. Greek Philosophy and Religions of Salvation 1) Roman deities: gods, goddesses, & household gods 2) Greek influence Stoicism a. Appealed to Roman intellectuals b. (106-43 BCE) persuasive orator & writer on Stoicism 3) Religions of salvation gave sense of purpose & promised afterlife a. Roman roads served as highways for religious spread b. Mithraism was popular w/ Roman soldiers men only B. Judaism and Early Christianity 1) Monotheistic Jews considered state cults to be blasphemy 2) of Nazareth a. Charismatic Jewish teacher, taught devotion to God & love for human beings b. Attracted large crowds w/ his wisdom & miraculous powers c. Teaching the kingdom of God is at hand alarmed Romans d. Crucifixion in early 30s CE e. Became Christ, or the anointed one 3) New Testament & the Old Testament became Christian holy book 4) of Tarsus was principle figure in spread of Christianity 5) Rapid growth of early Christianity a. Strong appeal to lower classes, urban population, & women b. Became the most influential faith in Mediterranean by 3 rd C CE SOC-Q#2 How, by whom, and in what ways have social categories, roles, and practices been maintained or challenged over time? CUL-Q#2 How have religions, belief systems, philosophies, and ideologies affected the development of societies over time?