Ancient Greece | Can’t Sleep? Learn Where Democracy Began

Ancient Greece shaped much of the modern world despite rarely being united about anything. This episode covers the rise of Greek civilization, the city-states of Athens and Sparta, mythology, religion, warfare, philosophy, politics, art, and everyday life. You’ll learn how ideas about democracy, literature, science, and philosophy developed, along with the people and events that helped turn a collection of fiercely independent communities into one of history’s most influential civilizations.
It’s steady and consistent, with no whispering and no sudden changes, just enough to give your mind something to follow as you wind down. Happy sleeping!
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Transcript

Welcome to the I Can't Sleep Podcast, Where I help you drift off one fact at a time. I'm your host Benjamin Boster, And tonight's episode is about Ancient Greece. Ancient Greece was an ancient civilization existing from the Greek Dark Ages of the 12th to 9th centuries BC to the end of classical antiquity, Circa 600 AD, Comprising a loose collection of culturally and linguistically related city-states and regions, Primarily centered in the northeastern area of the Mediterranean Sea. Prior to the Roman period, Most of this area was officially unified only once, From 338 to 323 BC under the Kingdom of Macedon. In Western history, The era of classical antiquity was immediately followed by the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine period. Scholars mark ancient Greece as beginning with Mycenaean Greece, Which declined during the Bronze Age Collapse circa 1100 BC. Three centuries later, Greek urban city-states, Or poleis, Began to form in the 8th century BC. Ushering in the archaic period in the Greek colonization of the Mediterranean basin. This was followed by the intellectual flourishing of the classical period of Ancient Greece, From the Greco-Persian Wars to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, Which included the Golden Age of Athens, The Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, The short-lived Spartan and Theban hegemonies, The creation of the Hellenic League led by Philip II, Of Macedon, And the subsequent conquest of Persia's Achaemenid Empire by his son Alexander the Great. Alexander's territorial conquests led to the spread of Greek culture into northern Africa and West Asia, The Hellenistic period ending circa 30 BC, When the Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt, Centered in Alexandria, Was annexed by Rome. Classical Greek culture, Especially Greek philosophy, Had a powerful influence on ancient Rome, Which propagated variants of it throughout the Mediterranean and much of Europe. For this reason, Classical Greece is generally considered the cradle of Western civilization. The seminal culture from which the modern West derives many of its founding archetypes and ideas in politics, Philosophy, Science, And art. The territory of Greece is mountainous, And as a result, Ancient Greece consisted of many smaller regions, Each with its own dialect, Cultural peculiarities, And identity. Regionalism and regional conflicts were prominent features of ancient Greece. Cities tended to be located in valleys between mountains or on coastal plains, And dominated a certain area around them. In the south lay the Peloponnese, Consisting of the regions of Laconia, Southeast, Messania, Southwest, Elis, West, Achaea, North, Corinthia, Northeast, Argolis, East, And Arcadia, Center. These names survive to the present day as regional units of modern Greece, Though with somewhat different boundaries. Mainland Greece to the north, Nowadays known as Central Greece, Consisted of Aetolia, Acarnania in the west, Locris, Doros, And Phocis in the center, While in the east lay Boeotia, Attica, And Megaris. Northeast lay Thessaly, While Epirus lay to the northwest. Epirus stretched from the Umbracian Gulf in the south to the Saronian Mountains and the Aos River in the north, And consisted of Chaonia, North, Melasha, Center, And Thesprosia, South. In the northeast corner was Macedonia, Originally consisting of Lower Macedonia and its regions, Such as Amasya, Macedonia, Pyrrhia, Ambatiae, And later Almopia and Phaxitis. The original capital of Macedon was Aegei, And then moved to Pella in the 4th century BC. Around the time of Alexander I of Macedon, The Argeid kings of Macedon started to expand into Eordea and the rest of Upper Macedonia, Lands inhabited by independent Upper Macedonian tribes like the Lincesti, Orestei, And the Elimioti, And to the east beyond the Axeus River into Mektonia and regions settled by three Shin tribes. To the north of Macedonia by various non-Greek peoples, Such as the Paeonians due north, The Thracians to the northeast, And the Illyrians, With whom the Macedonians were frequently in conflict to the northwest. Chalcidice was settled early on by southern Greek colonists and was considered part of the Greek world. While from the late 2nd millennium BC, Substantial Greek settlement also occurred on the eastern shores of the Aegean and Anatolia. During the Archaic period, The Greek population grew beyond the capacity of the limited arable land of Greece proper. Resulting in the large-scale establishment of colonies elsewhere. According to one estimate, The population of the widening area of Greek settlement increased roughly tenfold from 800 to 400 BC, From 800, 000 to as many as 7. 5 to 10 million. This was not simply for trade, But also to found settlements. These Greek colonies were not, As Roman colonies were, Dependent on their mother city, But were independent city-states in their own right. Greeks settled outside of Greece in two distinct ways. The first was in permanent settlements founded by Greeks, Which formed as independent poleis. The second form was in what historians refer to as Emporia, Trading posts which were occupied by both Greeks and non-Greeks, And which were primarily concerned with the manufacture and sale of goods. Examples of this latter type of settlement are found at Almina in the east and Pithecusa in the west. From around 750 to 500 BC, Greeks settled colonies in all directions. To the east, The Aegean coast of Asia Minor was colonized first, Followed by Cyprus and the coasts of Thrace, The Sea of Marmara, And the south coast of the Black Sea. Eventually, Greek colonization reached as far northeast as present-day Ukraine and Russia. To the west, The coasts of Illyria, Southern Italy, Called Magna Graecia, Were settled, Followed by southern France, Corsica, And even eastern Spain. Greek colonies were also found in Egypt and Libya. Modern Syracuse, Naples, Marseilles, And Istanbul had their beginnings as the Greek colonies Syracuse, Neapolis, Massalia, And Byzantium. These colonies played an important role in the spread of Greek influence throughout Europe, And also aided in the establishment of long-distance trading networks between the Greek city-states, Boosting the economy of ancient Greece. Ancient Greece consisted of several hundred relatively independent city-states, Poleis. This was a situation unlike that in most other contemporary societies, Which were either tribal or kingdoms ruling over relatively large territories. Undoubtedly, The geography of Greece, Divided and subdivided by hills, Mountains, And rivers, Contributed to the fragmentary nature of ancient Greece. On the one hand, The ancient Greeks had no doubt that they were one people. They had the same religion, Same basic culture, And same language. Furthermore, The Greeks were very aware of their tribal origins. Herodotus was able to extensively categorize the city-states by tribe. Yet, Although these higher-level relationships existed, They seem to have rarely had a major role in Greek politics. The independents of the poleis were fiercely defended. Unification was something rarely contemplated by the ancient Greeks. Even when during the second Persian invasion of Greece, A group of city-states allied themselves to defend Greece, The vast majority of Poles remained neutral. And after the Persian defeat, The Allies quickly returned to infighting. Thus the major peculiarities of the ancient Greek political system were its fragmented nature, And that this does not particularly seem to have tribal origin. And the particular focus on urban centers within otherwise tiny states. The peculiarities of the Greek system are further evidenced by the colonies that they set up throughout the Mediterranean, Which, Though they might count a certain Greek polis as their mother and remain sympathetic to her, Were completely independent of the founding city. Inevitably smaller poleis might be dominated by larger neighbors, But conquest or direct rule by another city-state appears to have been quite rare. Instead, The poleis grouped themselves into leagues, Membership of which was in a constant state of flux. Later in the Classical period, The leagues would become fewer and larger, Be dominated by one city, Particularly Athens, Sparta, And Thebes. And often poleis would be compelled to join under threat of war, Or as part of a peace treaty. Even after Philip II of Macedon conquered the heartlands of ancient Greece, He did not attempt to annex the territory or unify it into a new province, But compelled most of the Poleis to join his own Corinthian League. Initially, Many Greek city-states seemed to have been petty kingdoms. There was often a city official carrying some residual ceremonial functions of the king, E. G. The Ark on Basilius in Athens. However, By the archaic period and the first historical consciousness, Most had already become aristocratic oligarchies. It is unclear exactly how this change occurred. For instance, In Athens, The kingship had been reduced to a hereditary, Lifelong chief magistracy, Archon, By circa 1050 BC. By 753 BC this had become a decennial elected archonship, And finally an annually elected archonship by 683 BC. Through each stage, More power would have been transferred to the aristocracy as a whole, And away from a single individual. Inevitably, The domination of politics and concomitant aggregation of wealth by small groups of families was apt to cause social unrest in many Poles. In many cities a tyrant, Not in the modern sense of repressive autocracies, Would at some point seize control and govern according to their own will. Often a populist agenda would help sustain them in power. In a system wracked with class conflict, Government by a strongman was often the best solution. Athens fell under a tyranny in the second half of the 6th century BC. When this tyranny was ended, The Athenians founded the world's first democracy as a radical solution to prevent the aristocracy regaining power. The Citizens' Assembly, The Ecclesia, For the discussion of city policy, Had existed since the reforms of Draco in 621 BC. All citizens were permitted to attend after the reforms of Solon early 6th century. But the poorest citizens could not address the assembly or run for office. With the establishment of the democracy, The assembly became the de jure mechanism of government. All citizens had equal privileges in the Assembly. However, Non-citizens, Such as medics, Foreigners living in Athens, Or slaves, Had no political rights at all. After the rise of democracy in Athens, Other city-states founded democracies. However, Many retained more traditional forms of government. As so often in other matters, Sparta was a notable exception to the rest of Greece, Ruled through the whole period by not one, But two hereditary monarchs. This was a form of diarchy. The kings of Sparta belong to the Adjids and the Europontids. Descendants respectively of Urysthenes and Procles. Both dynasties' founders were believed to be twin sons of Aristotamus, A Heraclit ruler. However, The power of these kings were held in check by both the Council of Elders, The Gerousia, And magistrates specifically appointed to watch over the kings, The Ephors. Only free landowning native-born men could be citizens entitled to the full protection of the law in a city-state. In most city-states, Unlike the situation in Rome, Social prominence did not allow special rights. Sometimes families controlled public religious functions, But this ordinarily did not give any extra power in the government. In essence, The population was divided into four social classes based on wealth. People could change classes if they made more money. In Sparta, All male citizens were called homoioi, Meaning peers. However, Spartan Kings, Who served as the city-state's dual military and religious leaders, Came from two families. Women in ancient Greece appear to have primarily performed domestic tasks, Managed households, And born and reared children. Slaves had no power or status. Slaves had the right to have a family and own property subject to their master's goodwill and permission. But they had no political rights. By 600 BCE, Chattel slavery had spread in Greece. By the 5th century BC, Slaves made up one-third of the total population in some city-states. Between 40 and 80% of the population of classical Athens were slaves. Slaves outside of Sparta almost never revolted because they were made up of too many nationalities and were too scattered to organize. However, Unlike later Western culture, The ancient Greeks did not think in terms of race. Most families own slaves as household servants and laborers. And even poor families might have owned a few slaves. For most of Greek history, Education was private, Except in Sparta. During the Hellenistic period, Some city-states established public schools. Only wealthy families could afford a teacher. Boys learned how to read, Write, And quote literature. They also learned to sing and play one musical instrument, And were trained as athletes for military service. They studied not for a job, But to become an effective citizen. Girls also learned to read, Write, And do simple arithmetic so they could manage the household. They almost never received education after childhood. Boys went to school at the age of seven, Or went to the barracks if they lived in Sparta. The three types of teachings were Grammatistes for arithmetic, Kitharistes for music and dancing, And Paitotribe for sports. Boys from wealthy families attending the private school lessons were taken care of by a Paidagogos, A household slave selected for this task, Who accompanied the boy during the day. Classes were held in teachers' private houses and included reading, Writing, Mathematics, Singing, And playing the lyre and flute. When the boy became 12 years old, The schooling started to include sports such as wrestling, Running, And throwing discus and javelin. In Athens, Some older youths attended academy for the finer disciplines, Such as culture, Sciences, Music, And the arts. The schooling ended at age 18, Followed by military training in the Army, Usually for one or two years. Some of Athens' greatest such schools included the Lyceum, A so-called peripatetic school founded by Aristotle of Stagira. And the Platonic Academy, Founded by Plato of Athens. The education system of the wealthy ancient Greeks is also called Paideia. At its economic hide in the 5th and 4th centuries BC, The free citizenry of classical Greece represented perhaps the most prosperous society in the ancient world. Some economic historians considering Greece one of the most advanced pre-industrial economies. In terms of wheat, Wages reached an estimated 7 to 12 kilograms, Or 15 to 26 pounds daily for an unskilled worker in urban Athens. Two to three times the 3. 75 kilograms or 8. 3 pounds of an unskilled rural laborer in Roman Egypt, Though Greek farm incomes, Too, Were an average lower than those available to urban workers. Ancient Greek philosophy focused on the role of reason and inquiry. In many ways, It had an important influence on modern philosophy, As well as modern science. Clear unbroken lines of influence led from ancient Greek and Hellenistic philosophers, To medieval Muslim philosophers and Islamic scientists, To the European Renaissance and Enlightenment, To the secular sciences of the modern day. The first known philosophers of Greece were the pre-Socratics, Who attempted to provide naturalistic, Non-mythical descriptions of the world. They were followed by Socrates, One of the first philosophers based in Athens during its Golden Age, Whose ideas, Despite being known by second-hand accounts instead of writing his own, Laid the basis of Western philosophy. Socrates' disciple Plato, Who wrote The Republic and established a radical difference between ideas and the concrete world, And Plato's disciple Aristotle, Who wrote extensively about nature and ethics, Are also immensely influential in Western philosophy to this day. The later Hellenistic philosophy, Also originating in Greece, Is defined by names such as Antisthenes, Cynicism, Zeno of Sidium, Stoicism, And Plotinus, Neoplatonism. The earliest Greek literature was poetry and was composed for performance rather than private consumption. The earliest Greek poet known as Homer, Although he was certainly part of an existing tradition of oral poetry. Homer's poetry, Though was developed around the same time that the Greeks developed writing, Would have been composed orally. The first poet to certainly compose their work and writing was Archilochus, A lyric poet from the mid-7th century BC. Tragedy developed around the end of the archaic period, Taking elements from across the pre-existing genres of late archaic poetry. Towards the beginning of the Classical period, Comedy began to develop. The earliest date associated with the genre is 486 BC. When a competition for comedy became an official event at the city of Dionysia in Athens. Though the first preserved ancient comedy is Aristophanes' Icarnians, Produced in 425. In ancient Greece society, Music was ever-present and considered a fundamental component of civilization. It was an important part of public religious worship, Private ceremonies such as weddings and funerals, And household entertainment. Men sang and played music at the symposium. Both men and women sang at work. And children's games involved song and dance. Ancient Greek music was primarily vocal, Sung either by a solo singer or a chorus, And usually accompanied by an instrument. Purely instrumental music was less common.