More on the PowerPoint (March 20)

Here are some of the notes from today’s class:

• Hippias was a tyrant who ruled from 527 to 510 BCE
• Cleisthenes' supporters- and the ordinary Athenian citizens- revolt against Isagoras' tyranny
• they trap Isagoras on the acropolis for two days- on the 3rd day he fled and was banished 
• 508 BCE
• Cleisthenes was a member of the elite, very rich, insulated from the "hoi polloi", and saw craft politician
• saw value in tapping the intelligence, talents, and energies of non- aristocrats (middle class)
• didn’t realize the value of women
• citizens could participate- but only one fifth of Athenians were citizens (free, adult, male, property owners born in Athens)
• after several years, Athens practiced a direct democracy
• Direct democracy:
• where the state is rule by its citizens
• rule is based on citizenship
• majority rule decides vote
• in the agora, citizens argued, made speeches, then voted with white stones (yes)/ black stones (no)
• first practiced in Athens under Cleisthenes by around 500 BCE
• what is unique with the Greek relationship with their gods is the interaction with humans
• Poseidon (sea God) interfered with Odysseus trying to return home
• Aphrodite (love goddess) had lovers of both gods and men
• Dionysus (wine God0 was son of Zeus (a god) and of Semele (human princess)
• Zeus- ruler of heaven and earth; father of Athena; god of sky, weather, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice. had a temper and threw thunder bolts
• Athena goddess of wisdom, skill, warfare, and peace, intelligence, battle strategy and handicrafts. Born from Zeus' head fully formed and armored. Patron of Athens
• Greeks were war like people- especially the Spartans
• Spartans were known for their tough, ruthless infantry: soldiers who fought on land
• spartan boys trained from the time they were seven 
• Athens had a great infantry, but nothing could compare with their navy
• Most effective weapon was the trireme:
• technological marvel
• fastest ship in the world at the time
• rowed by up to 170 men on three levels
• used as a battering ram agile, fast
• Phalanx:
• close-rank defense grouping of warriors
• armed with long spears and interlocking shields
• soldiers advanced slowly toward enemies