Dark ages of ancient greece

The age after the Mycenaeans, before the Archaic age.

1. Why Study Dark Ages? Patterns of social and political integration occurred A new kind of state Government would arise. “The cradle of western democracy”

2. The “Dark Age” of Greece

3. Decline and Recovery Near total absence of finely made and expensive artifacts. The course of decline and recovery is charted mainly through pottery. 1125 – 1250 “submycenaean” Low amount of pottery as well as low quality. Graves and above ground. This shows a _______ and _______ decline. Population levels dropped 60 to 90% Large Movements/ Relocation / Emigration of Peoples. Centralized political and economic organization disappeared with palaces.

4. Change and Continuity Daily life at the level of household and village remained very similar. Foods, wine, cheese Spun wool and flax Pottery Centralization had changed.

5. Recovery Large permanent Greek settlements occur in Asia Minor. Mastery of smelting and working iron. (Borrowed from east) Protogeometric Pottery.

6. Society In the Early Dark Age Villages on their own politically and economically. Reverted to a government of local chiefs. Little Social differentiation.

7. The Basileus Had been mayors of town or village. The title survives into dark ages. Centralized village life Tells us about lack of change in economy, government, and social institutions. Created and preserved rules for social conduct. Ancient traditions.

8. Late Dark Age (Homeric) Society How powerful were Basileus ? Judicial System? Diplomatic relations between chiefdoms

9. Revival Material Progress Geometric Vases Gold Jewelry, ivory carvings Availability of Raw materials. What does this show?

10. Social Values and Ethics Warriors Bravery, skill, athletics, competition. Public Speaking, debate. Honor gods, honor promises. Self-control. loyalty, Respect. Hospitable Respect to women and elders. Pity to beggars

11. Women Housewife / mother. Value beauty and skill Household management Weaving Practical sense Modesty, Chase.

12. Religion Formal, Ritualistic, and communal. No official set of doctrines or compulsory beliefs Various gods mirror the human environment and conditions Mortals are playthings of the gods. limited concern with morality. Afterlife? Psyche and Hades

13. The gods and goddesses Aphrodite The sensual goddess of love and beauty Apollo The youthful god of the sun and the music Ares The fierce god of war Artemis The wild goddess of the hunt Athena The sophisticated goddess of wisdom and Arts Demeter The natural goddess of the harvest Dionysus The joyful god of the wine Hades The gloomy god of the Underworld Hephaestus The ill-favored god of Metallurgy Hera The mature goddess of the family Hermes The cunning god of the trade Hestia The calm goddess of the hearth Poseidon The moody god of the seas Zeus The superior King of the Gods and ruler of mankind

14. Community, Household, and Economy in the late Dark Age Village life Customary Law / public disappoval Demos Patrilineal & Patriarchal Large Families Kleros – ancestral plot of land Small social class distinctions

15. End of the Greek Dark Age Rise in population Pastureland to agricultural land Land distribution problems and effects Need for raw materials (metal) The Alphabet and writing Borrowed from Phoenecians Easy to learn / phonetic History, drama, philosophy, math, science, law, medicine