Great events, furious battles, and literary geniuses are just some of the things that have helped shaped the cultures of the ancient past. When it comes to the ancient Greeks, you will find that there is much more to this civilization than democracy and characters like Alexander the Great. If you’re an ancient Greek history buff, then most of the milestones listed in this article may come as no surprise to you. If not, enter the world of ancient Greek history.
Throughout the ancient times of Greece, a great deal of milestones have taken place, including:
· The Rise and Fall of the Minoans (3000 – 1500BC): In the beginning of Greek culture, the Minoans were the most prominent , setting an example for the rest of the culture to follow.
· Trojan War Legends: During a hiatus of the Mycenaean rule, this time period saw the Trojan War take place, where plenty of myths and heroes emerged.
· Doric Greek Invasion: Even though they are responsible for establishing the base for Classical Greeks to flourish, the Dorians initially gained a reputation for being barbaric. Evidence shows that the Dorians led a way of life that was filled with impressive social organization and lifestyle habits. They cultivated the thriving trade center of Corinth, which earned high marks for its elaborate art and architecture.
· Colonization of Asia Minor: Modern Turkey was colonized by the Greeks colonized modern Turkey. In later years, the Turks would colonize the Greek Peninsula nearly 2,000 years later.
· The Spark of Western Philosophy , With an overwhelming flow of ideas and theories, the Greeks embraced knowledge and gave birth to Western philosophy. Over time, the Greeks produced great minds, such as Pythagoras, Zeno, and Socrates.
· The Development of City-States: As the Classical Period started to take off, so did the establishment of city-states. The most powerful regions at the time were Athens, Sparta, Megara, Corinth, and Argos.
· The Persian Wars: Before the Greeks were heralded as the greatest, they fought the Persian Empire in a series of battles that started in 499 BC and continued until 448 BC.
· Playwrights Rule: The Greeks approached plays as a work of art, and the city-states produced great literary heroes, such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes.
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The Golden Age: When the philosopher king known as Pericles took over Athens, Greece enjoyed what was referred to as the “The Golden Age.” During this time, great strides in history, literature, sculpture, architecture, politics, and philosophy took place.
· The Peloponnesian Wars: During this war, Athens (the smarter of the two) and Sparta (with more brawn) engaged in conflict. In the end, the strongest in arms and physical strength won.
· The Macedonians: From the North, the Macedonians emerge and with them, a new wave of control takes place. The Macedonians are noted for their achieving a high level of greatness with notable representatives, such as Philip and Alexander.
· Alexander the Great: With an impressive list of conquests, Alexander the Great quickly became the most accomplished military commander in Greek history. As a successful leader, he grew in power and became the nightmare for the Persians.
· The Hellenic Period , After Alexander the Great is dead and gone; the Greek culture begins to spread to other regions. The generals under Macedonian rule also divide the Empire at this time.