Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Geometric & Archaic Ages
The Dorians were an ancient Hellenic people who settled in the Peloponnese by the 8th
century BC. In the 11th or 12th century BC these warrior-like people fanned out to oc-
cupy much of the mainland, seizing control of the Mycenaean kingdoms and enslaving
the inhabitants. The following 400-year period is often referred to as Greece's 'dark age';
however, in their favour, the Dorians introduced iron and developed a new intricate style
of pottery, decorated with striking geometric designs. Significantly they were to intro-
duce the practice of
polytheism
(the worship of many gods), paving the foundations for
Zeus and his pantheon of 12 principal deities.
During the following Archaic period, about 1000-800 BC, Greek culture developed
rapidly; many of the advancements in literature, sculpture, theatre, architecture and intel-
lectual endeavour began. This revival overlapped with the Classical age (the two eras are
often classified as the Hellenic period). Advances included the Greek alphabet, the verses
of Homer (the 'Odyssey' was possibly the world's first epic work of literature), the
founding of the Olympic Games, and central sanctuaries such as Delphi. These common
bonds gave Greeks a sense of national identity and intellectual vigour.
By about 800 BC, Greece had been divided into a series of independent city-states, the
most powerful being Argos, Athens, Corinth, Elis, Sparta and Thiva (Thebes). Most ab-
olished monarchic rule and aristocratic monopoly, establishing a set of laws that redis-
tributed wealth and allowed the city's citizens to regain control over their lands.
The Histories,
written by Herodotus in the 5th century BC, chronicles the conflicts
between the Ancient Greek city-states and Persia. The work is considered to be the first
narrative of historical events ever written.
Democracy
The seafaring city-state of Athens was still in the hands of aristocrats when Athens'
greatest reformist, Solon, was appointed chief magistrate in 594 BC. His mandate was to
defuse the mounting tensions between the haves and have-nots. In a high-risk strategy
Solon cancelled all debts, liberating those who'd become enslaved because of them. De-
claring all free Athenians equal by law, Solon abolished inherited privileges and restruc-
tured political power, establishing four classes based on wealth. Although only the first
two classes were eligible for office, all four could elect magistrates and vote on legisla-
tion. Solon's reforms have become regarded as a blueprint of the ideological democratic
system aspired to in most of today's Western societies.
