HELLAS, 1000(?)-338 B.C. PERIODS OF HISTORY.1 A. Homeric, Heroic, Legendary Age before 776. C. Struggle with the Persians, 500-479. D. Athenian Leadership, 479–431. E. Peloponnesian War, 431-404. F. Spartan, Theban, and Macedonian Leaderships, 404-338. G. Macedonian Conquest, 338. "For the whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men; not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions in their own country, but in foreign lands there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone, but in the hearts of men. Make them your examples, and, esteeming courage to be freedom, and freedom to be happiness, do not weigh too nicely the perils of war." — - PERICLES. Note on Map of Greece. The purple fish, which the Phonicians used in dyeing their linens and wools, was found along the eastern shore of Greece; this shore abounded in deep and sheltering bays, while the western coast was mostly composed of steep rock or flat marsh. Iron was found in Euboea, Boeotia, Melos, and Laconia, copper in Cyprus and Euboea, silver in Attica, gold and silver in Thrace, Macedonia, and Epirus; marble was found in the mountains and islands, the best coming from Paros and Pentelicon. Nearly every state and island had its own fertile wheat-fields, its own mountain-forests, and sheep-pastures; while the soil was favorable for vine and olive culture. The people dressed in wool or linen, and ate either barley or wheat bread, with olive oil for a relish, and wine for their drink; in Arcadia, pork, in Attica, fish, was generally added to this diet. 1 Dates all B.C. STUDY ON MAP AND NOTE. What natural boundaries has Greece in each direction? Give the geographical reasons for the boundary of Thessaly. How far do these reasons apply to the boundaries of other Greek states? What advantages are there in such boundaries? How far are the Greek states able to supply their own needs for clothing, food, weapons, and shelter? What effect will this have on the independence of the various states? Compare the size of the Greek states with other ancient and modern states. Make a list of the occupations which you think the Greeks may have. Which of these occupations will be common to all Greece? Which will be found in Attica? In Arcadia? In Laconia? Will it be easier to get to Asia or to other parts of Europe from Greece? Why? Why was it more desirable to go to Asia than to Europe easily? From which state of Greece is that way easiest? Make a list of reasons why the geography of Greece is favorable to an early civilization. To which state of Greece do these reasons most strongly apply? A. STUDY ON HEROIC AGE. Chief contemporary sources of its history: Homeric poems, the Iliad, Odyssey, and Hymns; the monuments at Mycenæ, Tiryns (in Argos), and in the Troad. Other original sources: Hesiod and the Greek tragedians, Herodotus. Chief modern authorities: Grote, Curtius, Duncker. 1. Some of the More Famous Events, Men, and Works of the Heroic or Mythical Age. The Settlement of Greece. In the Greek myths regarding the earliest settlement of Greece, we find it told that the founder of Athens came from Egypt; that the rulers of Argos were partly of Egyptian race; that the founder of Thebes was Cadmus the Phoenician; and that Pelops, whose descendants became the kings of the Peloponnesus, was of Asia Minor. The walls and sculptures of Mycena were said to have been built by Asiatic help; the introduction of the alphabet was ascribed to Cadmus; while wheat was said to have been introduced from Libya. In the Greek language, the following words are of Phoenician origin linen, sack-cloth, myrrh, frankincense, cinnamon, soap, lyres, wine-jars, cosmetics, writing-tablets. The Expedition of the Argonauts. - In Colchis, on the Black Sea, there was, it was said, a fleece of pure gold. To obtain this prize, Jason, a Thessalian Greek, sailed with a band of heroes through the Hellespont to Colchis, whence they brought this golden fleece. |