Origins and Evolution of Ancient Greek Civilization

The Birth of the Greek World

The Greek civilization was born in the Balkan Peninsula. The relief is mountainous with narrow valleys, which made communication difficult. The hot and dry weather led to a Mediterranean agriculture situation, and the large waterfront facilitated fishing and allowed the development of trade throughout the Mediterranean.

A Shared Civilization

Although all the poleis (city-states) were independent, the people of Greece had two fundamental pillars in common: language and religion. The Greeks were polytheistic, and their gods were represented in anthropomorphic forms. Zeus was the father of all gods, and it was believed that all gods lived on Mount Olympus.

Early Greeks

• Achaeans: These Indo-European people emerged around 2000 BC (Mycenaean period). They lived in walled cities and used bronze weapons and chariots.
• Dorians: Coming from the north, their pressure forced many Achaeans to displace towards the coasts of Asia Minor, where they founded new villages.

The Iliad and The Odyssey

• The Iliad: Recounts an episode from the Trojan War.
• The Odyssey: Explains the adventures that Odysseus (Ulysses) had to face to return to the island of Ithaca, where he was king.

The Greek Polis

The cities of Greece were organized into small independent units called polis. Each had its own laws, currency, and government.

Two Parts of the Polis

• The Bottom: Contained shops and public buildings situated around a large square called the Agora.
• The Upper Part (Acropolis): A small citadel used for shelter during attacks, which also housed religious buildings.

Governance and Social Change

In the early oligarchic polis, the government consisted of a small group of aristocrats. The remaining male citizens could meet in assemblies. During the 6th century BC, several social revolts occurred within these cities.

Prehistoric Foundations

The Paleolithic Age

During the Paleolithic, humans lived in caves and were nomads. They fed themselves by hunting, fishing, or gathering. Their tools included bifaces, spears, hooks, harpoons, and arrows with propulsion. Artistic manifestations included statues, paintings, and engravings.

The Neolithic Age

In the Neolithic, people lived in towns and were self-sufficient. Their tools included the sickle and the polished stone ax. They discovered how to make fabrics and ceramics. Their art included megaliths and Cardium pottery.

The Age of Metals

During the Age of Metals, humans lived in the first cities and remained self-sufficient. Their tools included swords and arrows. They invented metallurgy and siderurgy, employing copper and bronze. This period also saw the development of complex architecture.