More Subjects
Trace The Evolution Of The Greek Empire From 500 B.C. TO 30 A. D.
Trace the Evolution of The Greek Empire from 500 B.C. to 30 A. D.
[Name of the Writer]
[Name of the Institution]
Trace the Evolution of The Greek Empire from 500 B.C. to 30 A. D.
Archaic Greece or term “Ancient” indicates the era between 700-480 B.C. Initially people lived in small villages and farming was the main source of livelihood. This time period is known as "Greek Dark Ages." This period started after the abolition of Mycenaean palatial civilization. However, with time, small villages began to evolve and people changed their living style. The main purpose of the essay is to trace the evolution of the Greek Empire by analyzing different occasions and circumstances. Greek empire started from small villages which turned into big state-cities. These state-cities help rich families to increase their power and make governance on citizens. The struggle for power and evolution from agriculture to big cities fall of the Greek empire came.
Small village to city-states rise and fall of oligarchs
People developed large cities and marketplace for economic interaction. Walls were made around the cities for protection while organization and government were developed to set the constitution in the cities. With time, economic activities became complex and state introduced taxes and armies for economic growth. These new cities were known as ‘Poleis’, because people believed that god and goddess were protecting these cities. People constructed large temples and put idols of god and goddess for prayers. They followed rituals and customs to select the way of life. However, the difference between poor and power people who were controlling the cities increased that resulted in fall of oligarchy in Greek cities.
Tyrants predominance of Athens
There were various enlightened leaders as well like Pheidon of Argos. He helped the state to develop a system for orderly measures and weights. In addition, Theagenes was another leader who worked for water supply within the city. These leaders helped state-cities to improve their living standard. While, Tyrants used the land for their power and wealth. In the region, two or three most powerful people had control over the people. They offered the policies and laws for the citizens. These powerful families start fighting for power and controlling in the region. Athens was trying to become the most powerful in the Greek city-state. They started increasing their control and army to the area which was under control for Sparta.
Sparta pact between Athens and Sparta vs invading Persians
Conflicts between two powerful city-states increased which resulted in war. Spartans were unable to get success and Athens increased their power. Though, Athens suffered during the Sicilian expedition. The Sicilian expedition resulted in a rearrangement of power and Sparta renewed the war. However, even after getting power from Athens, Sparta was unable to control most of the region and Athens successfully spent seven more years of power. Three treaties were made between Persia and Sparta. The first treaty was made in 412 between Spartans and Tissaphernes and Persian king. The second treaty was made between the allies and Spartans with king Darius, Tissaphernes, and son of the king during winter 412/13. While the third treaty was made in late spring 411 among Spartans and sons of Pharnaces, Hieramenes, Tissaphernes, and their allies. All three treaties were made to make the position of Spartans strong and to avoid future conflicts and war between Spartans and Persians.
Pact collapses- Peloponnesian war
After conflicts between Sparta and Athens, treaties helped to ensure the peace and safety of the state-cities. However, during this peace, Athens took some steps which were against the treaty. They ignored the treaty and made strategies for undermining the truce. They also got involved in the dispute over Corcyra and Epidamnus. Participation of Athens in conflict made Sparta angry. Sparta claimed that Athens had violated the treaty and declared war against them. The treaty was made for thirty years but due to the activities of the Athens, war started between them. Sparta and allies got the victory while Athens lost most of their land. However, the result of the war was not good for any state. This is because war divided the land into two pieces which resulted in weak economic and social growth. A number of human deaths made the condition worst and those who remained alive faced financial issues due to the large loss of farms in the cities. In addition, Sparta faced the loss of political hegemony and the demise of Athenian naval all around the Mediterranean. On the other hand, due to the poor handling of the Peloponnesian war, Athens’ democracy was overthrown.
Greek Struggles-Conquest by Macedonia
Sparta remained in power till 371 BCE and after that Thebans defeated them to acquire the hold on the region. They fought the battle of Leucta against Sparta and then permanently crippled Sparta. Later, Macedon appeared as one of the most dominant rulers. They came from a small kingdom and achieved high power and command over the region. They remained in power for twenty-five years started from 359 BCE and ended in 336 BCE. They provided numbers of efficient policies in their time which brought positive impact in the society. Macedon's main rivals were Athens' second confederacy who tried to take control of the lands of the north Aegean. Philip of Macedon was an educated and intelligent ruler. He got education from Epaminondas and worked for the expansion of Macedonians. He arranged a powerful army and fought against Illyrians and got the victory. In the third sacred war, Phillip got immense prestige which enables him to make Macedonians stronger. Their political and economic activities were influenced by Persian. With time Macedon became most powerful in the region where the kingdom was served by Philip II and Alexander the Great.
Life and career of Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great ruled over the Greek empire and served as king of Macedonia. He ruled between 336 B.C and 323 B.C. He not only united the Greece land but also conquered the Persian Empire. He also became ruler of Asia, Persia, and Babylon where he started the colonization. After the death of the father, Alexander became the king at the age of 19 with the support of the Macedonian army. Alexander got the leadership but he acquired the power with his own strategies. He sent his army to the south and conquered the Thessaly region. Later, he moved towards Asia and made his empire. Next, he set the agenda to raise his power in the region of Egypt. In 331, Alexander conquered Egypt and constructed the city of Alexandria. This city later became the hub of Greek culture and economic activities. He then fought against the Persians and got the victory. He became the king of Babylon, Asia, and four quarters of the world. This is why he is known as Alexander the Great.
He was considering Rome and conquests of Carthage as his next target but due to malaria, he died at the age of 32. After his death power of Greek start decreasing and culture of Greece collapsed. The land turned into the battleground for the power. Political, economic and social life became weaker with time. After Alexander, no such leader appeared who could maintain the Greek empire as he did.
More Subjects
Join our mailing list
© All Rights Reserved 2024