INTRODUCTION

The history of Greece can be traced back to Stone Age hunters. Later came early farmers and the civilizations of the Minoan and Mycenaean kings. This was followed by a period of wars and invasions, known as the Dark Ages.

The study of Ancient Greece is critical in understanding the foundations and legacies of Western Civilization.  For its breadth and width of contributions in Literature, Drama, Philosophy, Architecture, Science, Politics, and the Arts ancient Greece has no peer.  We can trace its legacy through the Romans and their Empire into the Middle Ages where the world of Islam was to preserve the legacies of the Greek and Roman culture while Europe fell into Darkness.

Small Greek city-states, led by Athens and Sparta, once archenemies allied together to defeat the powerful Persian Empire, documented by the world’s first historian, Herodotus.  In 600 BCE, Solon, military general and poet, introduce democratic social and political reforms  ending the monopoly of power by the Athenian hereditary aristocracy.  The small Greek city-state (deme) with its decentralized democracy survived over the centralized imperial power of Persia. 

Geography

INTERACTIVE MAP OF ANCIENT GREECE

THE LAND OF GREECE

Geography plays a significant role in the development of ancient Greek history.  The southern most peninsulas in the Mediterranean provided easy access to open waters while much of the land was difficult to farm. A myriad of mountain ranges form natural boundaries resulted in early Greek communities being segregated and often isolated from its nearest neighbors.  

Art

 GREEK ART HISTORY TIMELINE

Greek Sculpture