Western Civilization: Greece and Rome
Western Civilization
Western Civilization is located in countries in America and Europe, where two civilizations were born. In Greece and Rome, there were large cultural advances that we inherited. In Greece developed classical culture, meaning outstanding. They gave great importance to humans and nature, and developed thoughts of a humanistic culture. This gave rise to Hellenization, spreading culture to all places they conquered and founded colonies (apoikas). They also learned the culture of the peoples.
Romanization: Rome was stretched through most of the Mediterranean (Mare Nostrum, “our sea”). They also brought their culture and learned from the people they conquered. The Greco-Roman World developed on the banks of the Mediterranean, from the Iberian Peninsula through the Apennine Peninsula and the Balkan Peninsula, as well as Asia Minor and the northern Mediterranean islands. This facilitated the birth of these civilizations and sea trade, as there were floodplains of rivers.
Greek Civilization
Greek civilization originated in the Minoan or Aegean civilization (2500 BC), developing on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. Aegean people were navigators who exchanged merchandise with other people due to their island status. Its center was a cross-country town ruled by King Minos. They sailed through the Mediterranean islands, reaching the coast of Asia Minor and North Africa, where they founded colonies (apoikias). The Aegean civilization built a system of writing, which the Greeks learned.
- 1400 BC: Inhabitants emigrated to the Balkans and were called Hellenes, in honor of a character from their mythology.
- 2000 BC: People from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, nomadic pastoral tribes, came to the Balkans. The Greeks originated here, so-called by the Romans.
Mycenaean Civilization
From the 17th century BC to the 12th century BC was a dark period, so-called due to the little information available today. Its geographical nature was the polis south of the Balkans in the Peloponnese, where Mycenae was founded.
Politics: It was ruled by a council comprising chiefs and clans, and the most important militia. The assembly was made up of free men and warriors. Its pretense was making decisions, such as declaring war on another country.
Construction: Its inhabitants were warriors, with war chariots and weapons. The palaces were surrounded by high stone walls; that is, their constructions were fortified.
Economy: Agriculture and crops.
The story is known through Homeric poems attributed to Homer (about 800 BC), which tell of the struggle between gods, men, and heroes. There are also other archaeological remains of the palace walls.
Sparta
Classical Greece Period (5th to 4th century BC), founded by the Dorians (indigenous warriors). Government was advised by 2 kings, Gerousia magistrates, and the Apella Aegean.
Athens
In the Attica region (central Greece), a democratic government (demos = people) developed. Education for youth and children was highlighted as humanistic.
Sparta vs Athens
Sparta, in the Peloponnese (southern Greece): Its government was an oligarchy (for their own benefit). Their education prepared them for war.
Peloponnesian War
A war where Greeks fought against Greeks. It was decisive for the future of Greece, ending with everything weakened and in the hands of Macedonia.
- Delian League: A defensive league against Persian attacks.
- Peloponnesian League: An oligarchic league. Citizens were also known as Spartiates.