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World History

World History

Second Lecture – Ancient History

<br>III. Ancient Greece

'''I. Introduction'''

== Introduction ==

Last week we addressed the major early ancient cultures: Mesopotamia and Egypt.  Things become more interesting this week as we begin to address the “classical” period of world history: 1000 B.C. to A.D. 500.  During this period, five different regions of the world had civilizations that advanced the frontiers of knowledge, government and the arts.  Most of them developed independently of each other, since there was very little communication across long distances in the ancient world.

Last week we addressed the major early ancient cultures: Mesopotamia and Egypt.  Things become more interesting this week as we begin to address the “classical” period of world history: 1000 B.C. to A.D. 500.  During this period, five different regions of the world had civilizations that advanced the frontiers of knowledge, government and the arts.  Most of them developed independently of each other, since there was very little communication across long distances in the ancient world.

The five “classical” civilizations were India, China, Greece, Rome and, to a lesser extent, the Americas (in what is now Mexico and South America).  This week we learn about classical Greece.

The five “classical” civilizations were India, China, Greece, Rome and, to a lesser extent, the Americas (in what is now Mexico and South America).  This week we learn about classical Greece.

   

   

'''II. Language'''

== Language ==

The study of the development of language is a fascinating aspect of World history.  Language is extremely important to the progress and survival of a society.  Peoples who only had primitive languages were easily conquered by groups that had more powerful languages.  Language expresses and communicates ideas:  it is difficult, if not impossible, to think about and communicate powerful ideas without language to express them.

The study of the development of language is a fascinating aspect of World history.  Language is extremely important to the progress and survival of a society.  Peoples who only had primitive languages were easily conquered by groups that had more powerful languages.  Language expresses and communicates ideas:  it is difficult, if not impossible, to think about and communicate powerful ideas without language to express them.

The new language developed by the Phoenicians to facilitate their trading was based on a new alphabet of 22 letters.  All Western alphabets, such as English and French and Italian and Greek and Latin, are based on this Phoenician alphabet.  This was one of the greatest advances in the history of mankind, perhaps as great as the invention of the wheel, because now language could begin to describe powerful concepts and abstract ideas.  This laid the foundation for the accomplishments of Ancient Greece, which in turn laid the foundation for the teaching and spread of Christianity.

The new language developed by the Phoenicians to facilitate their trading was based on a new alphabet of 22 letters.  All Western alphabets, such as English and French and Italian and Greek and Latin, are based on this Phoenician alphabet.  This was one of the greatest advances in the history of mankind, perhaps as great as the invention of the wheel, because now language could begin to describe powerful concepts and abstract ideas.  This laid the foundation for the accomplishments of Ancient Greece, which in turn laid the foundation for the teaching and spread of Christianity.

   

   

'''III.  Ancient Greece'''

== Ancient Greece ==

'''A. Introduction'''

=== Introduction ===

Greece was the most significant ancient civilization, and perhaps the greatest of all time.  Intellectually, politically and militarily, ancient Greece had it all.  Their achievements are even more remarkable without the benefit of Christianity, which came hundreds of years later.  In many ways Greek culture laid the groundwork for Christianity to spread centuries later.  

Greece was the most significant ancient civilization, and perhaps the greatest of all time.  Intellectually, politically and militarily, ancient Greece had it all.  Their achievements are even more remarkable without the benefit of Christianity, which came hundreds of years later.  In many ways Greek culture laid the groundwork for Christianity to spread centuries later.  

The helots did the farming and were 4/5ths of the overall population.  The Spartans were not the brightest people in the world:  they forbade the use of gold and silver for money, and instead used heavy iron bars as money.  For most Greek city-states, trade consisted of making olive oil and wine and exchanging it with surrounding regions to obtain timber and grain in return.

The helots did the farming and were 4/5ths of the overall population.  The Spartans were not the brightest people in the world:  they forbade the use of gold and silver for money, and instead used heavy iron bars as money.  For most Greek city-states, trade consisted of making olive oil and wine and exchanging it with surrounding regions to obtain timber and grain in return.

'''B. Persia and the Persian Wars (500-479 B.C.)'''

=== Persia and the Persian Wars (500-479 B.C.) ===

Nothing unites two rivals as well as a common enemy.  In the 400s B.C. Athens and Sparta had a common enemy:  the Persian empire, located where Iran is today.

Nothing unites two rivals as well as a common enemy.  In the 400s B.C. Athens and Sparta had a common enemy:  the Persian empire, located where Iran is today.

During this period, Athens decided to take advantage of the anti-Persia sentiment that existed throughout Greece, and formed the “Delian League” (477 B.C.).  The alliance consisted of Athens and various other Greek city-states and Aegean towns.  Athens quickly assumed a leadership position and began to control the various allies by imposing taxes and using the League’s budget to fund Athenian projects.  During the Pericles Age, Athens began to aggressively expand and used bribes, trickery and often force to gain the cooperation of its allies.  This sparked internal strife amongst the Greek city-states and much animosity towards what had become an Athenian empire.

During this period, Athens decided to take advantage of the anti-Persia sentiment that existed throughout Greece, and formed the “Delian League” (477 B.C.).  The alliance consisted of Athens and various other Greek city-states and Aegean towns.  Athens quickly assumed a leadership position and began to control the various allies by imposing taxes and using the League’s budget to fund Athenian projects.  During the Pericles Age, Athens began to aggressively expand and used bribes, trickery and often force to gain the cooperation of its allies.  This sparked internal strife amongst the Greek city-states and much animosity towards what had become an Athenian empire.

 

 

'''C. The Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.)'''

=== The Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.) ===

Military success breeds abuse of power and jealousy, which leads to war.  The rivals Athens and Sparta began fighting each other in a lengthy series of battles known as the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.).  In 431 B.C. a war erupted between Athens and Sparta and its allies.  Athens controlled the sea but Sparta had a strong army, and the irresistible force had met the immovable object.  The Spartan military is famous for its tremendous discipline to this day; boys were trained to be great soldiers beginning at age seven and serving the army from ages 20 to 60.  After 27 years of fighting between Athens and Sparta, the Athenian leader Nicias negotiated the Peace of Nicias (421 B.C.).

Military success breeds abuse of power and jealousy, which leads to war.  The rivals Athens and Sparta began fighting each other in a lengthy series of battles known as the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.).  In 431 B.C. a war erupted between Athens and Sparta and its allies.  Athens controlled the sea but Sparta had a strong army, and the irresistible force had met the immovable object.  The Spartan military is famous for its tremendous discipline to this day; boys were trained to be great soldiers beginning at age seven and serving the army from ages 20 to 60.  After 27 years of fighting between Athens and Sparta, the Athenian leader Nicias negotiated the Peace of Nicias (421 B.C.).

Democracy rose up again in a few years and in 395 B.C. Sparta removed Lysander from office.  In 387 Sparta lost the favor of public opinion by surrendering Greek cities (Ionia and Cyprus) to the enemy Persia, even though Greece had been beating Persia for a hundred years.  When Sparta then tried to weaken its former ally Thebes, a battle broke out between them and Athens joined with Thebes to defeat Sparta.  

Democracy rose up again in a few years and in 395 B.C. Sparta removed Lysander from office.  In 387 Sparta lost the favor of public opinion by surrendering Greek cities (Ionia and Cyprus) to the enemy Persia, even though Greece had been beating Persia for a hundred years.  When Sparta then tried to weaken its former ally Thebes, a battle broke out between them and Athens joined with Thebes to defeat Sparta.  

'''D. Greek Knowledge'''

=== Greek Knowledge ===

Ancient Greece advanced knowledge tremendously.  The Greeks founded an Academy, considered to be the first university ever founded in the world.  In a sense, homeschoolers today are emulating the Academy in starting their own educational system, developing logical skills and knowledge through informal classes and debates.

Ancient Greece advanced knowledge tremendously.  The Greeks founded an Academy, considered to be the first university ever founded in the world.  In a sense, homeschoolers today are emulating the Academy in starting their own educational system, developing logical skills and knowledge through informal classes and debates.

Slavery existed widely in Greece, using both Greeks and non-Greeks (Russians and also African slaves bought from Egypt).  Criminals and people who could not pay their debts were enslaved.  The harshest treatment of slaves was of criminals put to work in the Athenian silver mines.

Slavery existed widely in Greece, using both Greeks and non-Greeks (Russians and also African slaves bought from Egypt).  Criminals and people who could not pay their debts were enslaved.  The harshest treatment of slaves was of criminals put to work in the Athenian silver mines.

'''IV. The Hellenistic Age'''

== The Hellenistic Age ==

The term “Hellenistic” means anything related to Greek history, culture or art after the life of a man named “Alexander the Great,” who lived from 356 to 323 B.C. and virtually conquered the world of his day.  Alexander was not himself Greek, as he came from Macedonia (the region north of Athens, Corinth and Sparta).  But he spread the Greek culture far and wide with his military conquests.   

The term “Hellenistic” means anything related to Greek history, culture or art after the life of a man named “Alexander the Great,” who lived from 356 to 323 B.C. and virtually conquered the world of his day.  Alexander was not himself Greek, as he came from Macedonia (the region north of Athens, Corinth and Sparta).  But he spread the Greek culture far and wide with his military conquests.   

In ancient Greece the common military formation was the “phalanx”, which is Greek for “finger”, composed of a rectangular formation consisting of heavily armed infantry carrying spears and shields.  Philip II was able to raise a well-trained phalanx in Macedonia at lower cost than the Greek city-states, and crushed them.  But he was assassinated in 336 B.C., leaving his throne in the hands of his 20-year-old son, Alexander.

In ancient Greece the common military formation was the “phalanx”, which is Greek for “finger”, composed of a rectangular formation consisting of heavily armed infantry carrying spears and shields.  Philip II was able to raise a well-trained phalanx in Macedonia at lower cost than the Greek city-states, and crushed them.  But he was assassinated in 336 B.C., leaving his throne in the hands of his 20-year-old son, Alexander.

   

   

Alexander the Great

=== Alexander the Great ===

Long before his death, Philip II had arranged for Aristotle to tutor his son Alexander, and the wisdom Aristotle conferred made Alexander the greatest military leader of all time.  Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.), as he is known, came closer to conquering the entire world than anyone else before or since.  He mapped out his battles with logical precision and never lost a single one.  He went to sleep at night with Aristotle’s marked-up copy of the Iliad, the great work of Greek literature, under his pillow.  He treated his conquered peoples better than Aristotle would have, because Aristotle advised Alexander to treat them like animals.  Alexander personally traveled over 22,000 miles with his troops and often knew the foreign terrain better than his enemies, even though they lived there.  He defeated the most feared empires the world had known and expanded the Greek empire from Persia to Egypt to India, before dying from swamp fever (perhaps malaria) at the tender young age of 33.  The world would never be the same again.

Long before his death, Philip II had arranged for Aristotle to tutor his son Alexander, and the wisdom Aristotle conferred made Alexander the greatest military leader of all time.  Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.), as he is known, came closer to conquering the entire world than anyone else before or since.  He mapped out his battles with logical precision and never lost a single one.  He went to sleep at night with Aristotle’s marked-up copy of the Iliad, the great work of Greek literature, under his pillow.  He treated his conquered peoples better than Aristotle would have, because Aristotle advised Alexander to treat them like animals.  Alexander personally traveled over 22,000 miles with his troops and often knew the foreign terrain better than his enemies, even though they lived there.  He defeated the most feared empires the world had known and expanded the Greek empire from Persia to Egypt to India, before dying from swamp fever (perhaps malaria) at the tender young age of 33.  The world would never be the same again.

Taught in Greek, Christianity spread like wildfire throughout the Hellenistic world in the first century A.D.  The Greek language, culture, and advances in knowledge had prepared the people well for Christianity to take root.

Taught in Greek, Christianity spread like wildfire throughout the Hellenistic world in the first century A.D.  The Greek language, culture, and advances in knowledge had prepared the people well for Christianity to take root.

Greek Contributions

=== Greek Contributions ===

What can we thank Greece for today?  For starters, the Greeks began the Olympics.

What can we thank Greece for today?  For starters, the Greeks began the Olympics.

The Greeks are not known for being very practical, but they did invent some useful devices.  They are credited with inventing soap, the shower, central heating, the alarm clock (built by Plato to signal to his students that it is time to enter the Academy), the odometer, floating bridges, the lever, the anchor, bricks, the catapult and even chewing gum.

The Greeks are not known for being very practical, but they did invent some useful devices.  They are credited with inventing soap, the shower, central heating, the alarm clock (built by Plato to signal to his students that it is time to enter the Academy), the odometer, floating bridges, the lever, the anchor, bricks, the catapult and even chewing gum.

   

   

'''V. Other Ancient Peoples'''

== Other Ancient Peoples ==

The Hittites

=== The Hittites ===

The Hittites were a northern Indo-European people who called themselves “Aryans” (like the Persians)—a term meaning “noble people”.

The Hittites were a northern Indo-European people who called themselves “Aryans” (like the Persians)—a term meaning “noble people”.

In the Old Testament, the Hittites are mentioned more than 50 times, and are described as having descended from Noah’s great-grandson Heth (descended from Ham).  Because no trace of this ancient civilization could be found for a long time, skeptics claimed it proved that the Bible was an unreliable source.  However, astounding archeological discoveries in the 19th and 20th centuries proved that the Hittites existed and the finds did much to further the credibility of the Bible as a historical record.

In the Old Testament, the Hittites are mentioned more than 50 times, and are described as having descended from Noah’s great-grandson Heth (descended from Ham).  Because no trace of this ancient civilization could be found for a long time, skeptics claimed it proved that the Bible was an unreliable source.  However, astounding archeological discoveries in the 19th and 20th centuries proved that the Hittites existed and the finds did much to further the credibility of the Bible as a historical record.

Assyria

=== Assyria ===

Assyria was a very ancient kingdom in northern Mesopotamia.  Today that would be in northern Iraq.

Assyria was a very ancient kingdom in northern Mesopotamia.  Today that would be in northern Iraq.

   

   

The Chaldeans (also spelled as “Chaldaeans”)

=== The Chaldeans (also spelled as “Chaldaeans”) ===

The Chaldeans seized the Assyrian capital, Ninevah (from the story of Jonah), in 612 B.C., and destroyed it.  They soon conquered all of Mesopotamia, as well as Judea and Syria.  Although the Chaldeans only remained in power for fifty years, they were responsible for founding what is known as the “Neo-Babylonian empire”.  Elaborate and beautiful palaces and buildings were constructed by the Chaldeans.  The famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon were made during Chaldean rule.

The Chaldeans seized the Assyrian capital, Ninevah (from the story of Jonah), in 612 B.C., and destroyed it.  They soon conquered all of Mesopotamia, as well as Judea and Syria.  Although the Chaldeans only remained in power for fifty years, they were responsible for founding what is known as the “Neo-Babylonian empire”.  Elaborate and beautiful palaces and buildings were constructed by the Chaldeans.  The famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon were made during Chaldean rule.

The Chaldeans’ short reign is chronicled in the Biblical story of Daniel.  As a teenager, Daniel was captured by the Chaldean army during its first attack on Jerusalem.  While Daniel served under Nebuchadnezzar, one of only a few Chaldean kings, he interpreted dreams, witnessed the miraculous survival of Shadrach, Meschach and Aben-nego in the fiery furnace, and accurately predicted Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall.  Under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Belshazzar, Daniel witnessed the writing on the wall, which he interpreted as a sign of Belshazzar’s imminent downfall.  The very next day, the Persians invaded, killed Belshazzar, and took over the Babylonian empire.  

The Chaldeans’ short reign is chronicled in the Biblical story of Daniel.  As a teenager, Daniel was captured by the Chaldean army during its first attack on Jerusalem.  While Daniel served under Nebuchadnezzar, one of only a few Chaldean kings, he interpreted dreams, witnessed the miraculous survival of Shadrach, Meschach and Aben-nego in the fiery furnace, and accurately predicted Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall.  Under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Belshazzar, Daniel witnessed the writing on the wall, which he interpreted as a sign of Belshazzar’s imminent downfall.  The very next day, the Persians invaded, killed Belshazzar, and took over the Babylonian empire.  

Persia

=== Persia ===

Persia was the “Land of the Aryans,” and in 1935 the name Persia was changed simply to Iran.  To this day oriental rugs from Iran are called “Persian rugs.”  They are considered the best in the world and were banned as imports for a long time after Iranian students took Americans hostage in 1980.

Persia was the “Land of the Aryans,” and in 1935 the name Persia was changed simply to Iran.  To this day oriental rugs from Iran are called “Persian rugs.”  They are considered the best in the world and were banned as imports for a long time after Iranian students took Americans hostage in 1980.

Afterwards, a Persian noble named Ardashir seized power by killing the Parthian king, and established the Sassanid empire along with the official state religion of Zoroastrianism, a polytheistic religion that had a creator (Ahuramazda) and a sun-god (Mithra).  This religion was essentially limited to Persians.  It made no attempt to convert others and it tolerated other religions in the region like Judaism.  Its greatest king was Shapure II (A.D. 309-379), who beat back the weakening Romans and also extended Persian power towards China.  This empire remained in control of Persia until Muslims took control of the region in A.D. 651.

Afterwards, a Persian noble named Ardashir seized power by killing the Parthian king, and established the Sassanid empire along with the official state religion of Zoroastrianism, a polytheistic religion that had a creator (Ahuramazda) and a sun-god (Mithra).  This religion was essentially limited to Persians.  It made no attempt to convert others and it tolerated other religions in the region like Judaism.  Its greatest king was Shapure II (A.D. 309-379), who beat back the weakening Romans and also extended Persian power towards China.  This empire remained in control of Persia until Muslims took control of the region in A.D. 651.

The Celts

=== The Celts ===

The Celts were the first ethnic group to become widespread in Europe.  Using tribes rather than stable civilizations, the Celts began in central Europe and migrated west beginning in about 500 B.C. to the British Isles (especially Ireland) and also northwest France and portions of Spain.  Their religion consisted of worshipping gods and goddesses, and their priests were called “druids”.  They had no written language but often told myths and folktales.  The Boston Celtics basketball team is named after the Celts.

The Celts were the first ethnic group to become widespread in Europe.  Using tribes rather than stable civilizations, the Celts began in central Europe and migrated west beginning in about 500 B.C. to the British Isles (especially Ireland) and also northwest France and portions of Spain.  Their religion consisted of worshipping gods and goddesses, and their priests were called “druids”.  They had no written language but often told myths and folktales.  The Boston Celtics basketball team is named after the Celts.

Central and South America

=== Central and South America ===

In Central America (including present-day Mexico), Mesoamerica (“middle America”) developed a civilization known as the Olmec (“mother civilization”) beginning in about 1200 B.C., subsequent to more primitive societies in what is called the Archaic period (2000 B.C.).  By then maize (corn) was a plentiful crop, and it was grown along the fertile rivers.  Massive stone-hewn sculptures of warriors with helmets can be found in the tropical forests off the Gulf of Mexico in eastern Mexico, San Lorenzo and La Venta.  The civilization lasted until 100 B.C., and used a numerical system having base 20 and a 365-day calendar that included 260 days of religious ritual.  Religious ceremonies were prominent in this culture.

In Central America (including present-day Mexico), Mesoamerica (“middle America”) developed a civilization known as the Olmec (“mother civilization”) beginning in about 1200 B.C., subsequent to more primitive societies in what is called the Archaic period (2000 B.C.).  By then maize (corn) was a plentiful crop, and it was grown along the fertile rivers.  Massive stone-hewn sculptures of warriors with helmets can be found in the tropical forests off the Gulf of Mexico in eastern Mexico, San Lorenzo and La Venta.  The civilization lasted until 100 B.C., and used a numerical system having base 20 and a 365-day calendar that included 260 days of religious ritual.  Religious ceremonies were prominent in this culture.

In general, the Americas did not develop civilizations as advanced as ancient Europe and Asia.  Hunting and gathering were easier in the Americas, and there was less reason to settle down into an agricultural society that could generate a surplus and enable workers to spend time on other tasks, such as building cities.  The Americas did not have use of the wheel, the plow, glass, iron, steel or horses until brought over by European explorers.

In general, the Americas did not develop civilizations as advanced as ancient Europe and Asia.  Hunting and gathering were easier in the Americas, and there was less reason to settle down into an agricultural society that could generate a surplus and enable workers to spend time on other tasks, such as building cities.  The Americas did not have use of the wheel, the plow, glass, iron, steel or horses until brought over by European explorers.

Africa

=== Africa ===

Historians emphasize three peoples in Africa.  The Bantu people spread their language through Africa by migrating to the east and south.  They benefited from the iron-smelting technology.  The Kush existed in North Africa and imitated the Egyptians.  They also had iron smelting and traded for iron, especially at their capital city of Meroe.  Finally, the Nok existed in West Africa and created terra cotta sculpture.  They also had iron-smelting technology.

Historians emphasize three peoples in Africa.  The Bantu people spread their language through Africa by migrating to the east and south.  They benefited from the iron-smelting technology.  The Kush existed in North Africa and imitated the Egyptians.  They also had iron smelting and traded for iron, especially at their capital city of Meroe.  Finally, the Nok existed in West Africa and created terra cotta sculpture.  They also had iron-smelting technology.