Classical Greek civilization developed from Homeric and Archaic Greece, where heroes demonstrated excellence through struggle and conflict upholding values of heroism, honor, and nobility. This was followed by the Trojan War around 1200 BCE where Greek city-states fought for control of the Aegean Sea. Homer's writings like the Iliad and Odyssey documented this war and shaped Greek mythology. Afterwards, the Dorians collapsed the Mycenaean civilization around 750 BCE. City-states then rose as the dominant political unit, with Sparta focusing on its military and Athens becoming more democratic.
2. Homeric/Archaic Greece Authentic work of history. Arete: Excellence befitting a hero; result of a struggle or conflict. Heroism, honor, nobility.
3. The Trojan War Fight a ten-year war against Troy, an independent trading nation in Anatolia. 1870: Schliemann finds evidence of cities mentioned in the tale. 1988: Korfmann finds Troy. Fight over control of a crucial waterway in the Agean Sea?
4. The Trojan War Homer, The Illiad and The Odyssey . Gives us the history of the Trojan War. In the myth, main characters evoke Greek values.
5. Dorians 1200 BCE: Dorians collapse Mycenaean civilization. Less civilized. How? No written records!
6. The Rise of City-States 750 BCE: The Polis: City and surrounding countryside on an acropolis (fortified hilltop). Monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy. Defended by citizens.
7. Sparta v. Athens Military. Assembly and Council of Elders. Citizens, non-citizens, helots (peasants), slaves. Military training. Women manage estates. Democratic. Free, adult, male citizens. Citizens, women, foreigners, slaves. Solon vs. Draco. Trade, education. Women raise children.
