Classical Greece: Architecture, Art, and the Rival City-States

Classical Greek Architecture

The Temple, characterized by its predominantly straight lines and the support column structure (including the capital and entablature located at the top), is the most important element of Greek architecture.

Architectural Styles

• Doric
• Ionic
• Corinthian

Non-Religious Architecture

• Theater: Epidaurus
• Stadiums: Delphi and the Odeon

Ancient Greek Art

Sculpture

Notable works include:

• The Laocoön and His Sons
• The Kouros figures
• The Discobolus (attributed to Myron)

Painting and Ceramics

Works include the Mosaic of the Battle of Issus and painting on ceramics. Athenian ceramics highlight the red-figure style. Mural painting was also practiced.

The Region of Hellas (Ancient Greece)

The territory occupied by the Greeks, known as Hellas, encompassed the Balkan peninsula and islands, extending into what is now Turkey. Hellas was never a political unit but a group of independent poleis (city-states) that controlled their territory and accepted no outside power.

The Greeks considered themselves a common people because they spoke the same language, worshiped the same gods, and shared identical customs. The Romans later gave them the name "Greeks."

Sparta: Society and Military State

Location and Structure

Sparta was situated in the Peloponnese, in the south of Greece. It was a polis consisting of five villages and notably lacked defensive walls. Sparta conquered Messenia, a rich region. The land was state property, which minimized differences in wealth among citizens. With the conquered lands, Sparta produced enough to cover its needs, thus not participating in colonization efforts.

Spartan Social Classes

• Spartiates (Spartans): Children of Spartan parents. They held full rights, participated in politics, and underwent rigorous military training. They entered military school (the Agoge) at seven years old.
• Perioeci: Artisans and traders who were free but subjected to paying taxes to the Spartans.
• Helots: Descendants of the conquered Messenians. They worked land that was not theirs and gave half of the produce to the Spartans, who were the owners. They were essentially state-owned serfs, similar to slaves.

Athens: Birthplace of Democracy

Location and Rise to Power

Athens occupied a large area on the peninsula of Attica. In its early centuries, its history was unremarkable. However, during the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, Athens became the most important polis, possessing greater power and culture than the rest of the Greek city-states. It was during this era that democracy was established.

Athenian Social Classes

• Citizens (Athenians): Children of Athenian parents. They held full rights. Generally, they were the wealthy class.
• Metics: Immigrants who lived in Athens. They engaged primarily in handicrafts and trade.
• Slaves: The largest and most numerous group. They worked in homes, fields, and sometimes the military. They did not possess rights, though some could perform specialized work and potentially buy their freedom.

Athenian Democracy and Governance

Athenian democracy is a political regime characterized by the participation of citizens in governance. Athenians participated in the Assembly (Ekklesia), which all male citizens over 18 years old could attend, and they might also serve on the Council (Boule).