Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Greeks Crucible of Civilization

Today we watched the video about Greece. I learned that in 508 BC ordinary people turned on their rulers. These rulers, and all members of the ruling class were known as Aristocrats. Common Athenians lived under the rule of aristocrats. A man named Cleisthenes wanted regular people to govern their selves. I also learned that an acropolis is an out cropping of rock, and a town was built on and around it. The life expectancy was less then 15 years for Athenians. Greece was divided into city-states, each had its own culture and history. 
The people in different city-states often hated each other- did not get along, even though that had a lot in common (same gods). In Sparta, men's lives structured around discipline and war. When the men were away fighting women had a lot of responsibilities such as men's work. A Tyrant is somebody that ceases  control (old greek definition). Pisistratus,Cleisthenes brother in law , came with a into Greece with a girl that impersonated Athena; he did this so he could be in charge. 

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