Online Textbook for History 1111

Learning Objectives

(Included in PowerPoint)

Upon successful completion of this lesson, students should be able to:

• Describe the art and culture of Minoan and Mycenaean Greece.
• Compare and contrast Sparta and Athens, demonstrating an understanding of life in the Greek city-states.
• Explain the concept of Greek democracy, using primary sources.
• Discuss Greek literature and poetry, using plays, political speeches, and epic poetry.
• Analyze both the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars using primary sources.
• Detail the works of key Greek philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Zeno, and Epicurus.
• Trace the career and impact of Alexander the Great in spreading Hellenistic culture.
• Explore the various artistic, political, and written contributions of Greece that have endured and influenced other cultures. 

Terms to Know

Thought Questions

1. Using the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations as a basis of study, give at least three examples for how historians can discern important features of culture. Consider both written and non-written artifacts in your answer.

2. Describe Greek philosophy by comparing and contrasting (finding similarities and differences) between the five philosophers discussed in this lesson: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Zeno of Citium, and Epicurus.

3. Using the governments of Athens and Sparta as your evidence, discuss both democracy and oligarchy in ancient Greece. How did it function to be inclusive, and how did it change over time, such as via the reforms of Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles?

4. Consider the long history of ancient Greece, from the Minoan era to the Hellenistic era. What, in your historical opinion, was the most influential contribution to civilization as a whole? Once you make your choice, provide evidence to support your claim, using specific examples. 

Discussion Questions

1. View the samples of Minoan art in the online content and via the link to the Metropolitan Museum in your syllabus. Describe the colors, styles, and themes of the art. What do the depictions tell you about Minoan life and culture? By this, I would like you to consider what was important in the life of the Minoan people. What did they find important and valuable?

2. Pericles had several reasons for his funeral oration at the end of the first year of the Peloponnesian War. What, besides the obvious reason of mourning the dead, were his purposes in the speech? Name at least three "goals" Pericles accomplished in this speech. The link is in your syllabus, and as always, you can Google the speech if the link is not working.

3. What was the role of the Oracle of Delphi? How did the position come to hold influence in Greek society? Use the link in your syllabus to learn more about the Oracle.

4. Use the link in the syllabus to explore daily life for men and women in ancient Athens and Sparta. Compare (talk about similarities) and contrast (talk about differences) and write up your findings. Bullet points are fine.

5. Describe the major accomplishments of Alexander the Great. How did he spread Greek culture across much of the western world? The online content and the link in your syllabus discuss Alexander and his legacy.

Further Explorations

• A Quick Tour of Apollo’s Delphi
• A Quick Tour of the Classical Athenian Agora
• Tour of Olympia
• Mycenae
• Delphi
• Olympia
• Zeus seduces Helen’s mother Leda
• Helen’s mother Leda with Castor, Pollux, Clytemnestra, and Helen
• Helen page
• The first meeting of Helen and Paris
• The Acropolis Museum
• Acropolis Tour
• Ancient Athens virtual tour
• Rise of City-States: Athens and Sparta
• Sparta Virtual Tour
• Alexander the Great
• Ancient Greece
• Greek Theatre
• Greek Democracy
• Pericles

NOTE: From time to time, these web pages may "disappear." Please send an email to library@ega.edu if you find broken links, so they may be replaced.