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INTRODUCTION

The ancient Greeks were a mix of peoples who had settled on the Balkan Peninsula and on the coast of Asia Minor since the 2nd millennium BC.

The Greek world was organised into independent city-states, called poleis, which ruled the surrounding territory. Each poleis had its own laws, army and currency.

Although there were rivalries between the poleis, all the inhabitants of this regions felt that they belonged to Hellas (Hélade), “The country of the Hellenes (Helenos) (Greeks)”

COMMON ORIGINS

Minoan civilisation: Crete

Mycenaean civilisation: Peloponnese

Their kings lived in fortified palaces (Mycenae and Tiryns) (Micenas y Tirinto). The civilisation disappeared with the invasion of the Dorians (Dorios)

THE SAME GODS AND RITUALS

The Greeks were polytheistic. Their gods had human form (anthropomorphic) (antropomorfos) and guided and ordered people’s lives. All the gods had passions, vices and virtues, but they were immortal and had powers. Gods lived on Mount Olympus (Monte Olimpo)

Demigods were born from a union between a mortal and a god and had extraordinary virtues

Greek myths and legends consist of the fabulous adventures of its gods and heroes.

To honour their gods, people celebrated religious, cultural and sporting festivals. Example: Panhellenic festivals (Fiestas Panhelénicas)

TWO GREAT POLEIS: SPARTA AND ATHENS

THE GREEK CITY-STATES

Each poleis was protected by walls. Poleis were divided in two parts:

Upper part: The acropolis

Composed of a walled citadel that included all the main religious buildings

Inhabitants could take refuge there

Lower part:

Contained the houses grouped into neighbourhoods

Agora: Was in the centre of the lower part. It was the market place, which was surrounded by religious, political and commercial buildings. It was the centre of community life where people met, traded and celebrated religious events

Stoa: It was a building with commerce inside

SPARTA AND ATHENS

SPARTA (In the Peloponnese)