The History of Ancient Greece

The earliest inhabitants of Greece were Stone Age hunters. Farming began in about 6000 BC. Archaeologists divide the earliest civilizations into Helladic (mainland Greece), Cycladic (The Aegean islands) and Minoan (Crete). Between 2200 and 1900 BC, people who appear to have spoken an early form of Greek started arriving in Greece. A great civilization grew up, which we name after the city of Mycenae, and which lasted from about 1600 to 1100. The Trojan War took place towards the end of this period.

The Dark Ages

The period known as the Dark Ages began in about 1100 BC. Greece was beset by troubles. The Mycenaeans lost control and a people, called the Dorians, invaded from the north. During this period, the poet Homer composed the Iliad and the Odyssey. In the 8th century BC, the Greeks adopted a new, simple alphabet. The population increased and some people emigrated and set up colonies around the Mediterranean.

The Archaic Period

The Archaic Period was a time of political change. Kings had been replacedin power by nobles, who set up oligarchies. In many states, the oligarchies were then overthrown by tyrants, supported by the people. In 594 BC, Solon, the ruler of Athens, granted a constitution which marked the first step towards democracy.

The Classical Period

The Classical Period is the time when Athens was at the height of its power. In 499 BC, the Greek cities in Asia Minor rebelled against their persian rulers. Athens sent help, but the revolt failed and the Persians declared war against Athens. The first Persian invasion ended in their defeat at Marathon in 490 BC. In 480 BC, Sparta and its allies fought the Persians at Thermopylae, but were defeated. In the same year, the Athenians won a great naval victory over the Persians at Salamis. The wars came to an end in 479 BC, when the Persians were beaten at Plataea. In Athens, thee followed a golden age in the arts and learning. Many of the finestsculptures and painted pots were produced during this period. Athens formed the Delian League with other Greek States and dominated Greece politically. In 432 BC the building of Parthenon was completed. Between about 460 and 430 BC, Athenian politics were influenced by the brilliant and popular politician, Pericles. The Peloponnesian Wars were fought between Athens and Sparta from 431 to 404 BC. Athens was defeated and the Spartans installed their own goverment, though democracy was soon restored. The philosopher, Socrates, was forced to commit suicide in 399 BC by those seeking to blame someone for the misfortunes of Athens. Peace did not return to Greece. In 371 BC, the Thebans defeated the Spartans. Meanwhile, the power of King Philip of Macedon was growing. He fought many battles and eventually united Greece under his rule.

The Hellenistic Period

In 336 BC, Philipwas assasinated and succeeded by his son, Alexander the Graet (336-323 BC). Alexander conquered a vast empire, stretching from Egypt to India. In 331 BC, the city of Alexandria was founded in Egypt and it became a centre of learning. After Alexander's death, his generals fought each other and divided the empire between them. By this time, the Romans were beginning to acquire their own empire. First they took over the Greek colonies in Italy, then moved into Greece itself. Many Greeks were taken to Italy as slaves, and by 146 BC, Greece had become a Roman province.