What Happens in Athens

How it all Began

Long Ago, When Civilization first started in Greece, the land was divided into small, isolated regions because of mountains, waterways, and other landforms. The sea connected the people and allowed trade. The First Civilization was of the Minoans. They had writing, plumbing, and good architecture. The Mycenaean civilization came next. They conquered the Minoans, adopting their writing and architecture. In 1100 BCE the civilization declined for unknown reasons. Invasions Began, trade stopped, and writing ceased to exist. All the villages became isolated once again; this was known as the Dark Age.

After the Persian war, Athens grew strong again. One Athenian who helped this was Pericles, a persuasive speaker who had a goal to beautify, protect, and strengthen the democracy of Athens. Also, after the By Ishani Singh Persian war, the Dalian League was started. The Dalian League was an alliance between city-states to help protect against the Persians. Athens took over the Dalian League and turned it into an empire, making Sparta feel threatened. Athens refused to free the citystates, starting the Peloponnesian War. Athens faced some problems such as the plague, the slaves running away, and the Persians helping Sparta. At the end, the Athenians were trapped and forced to surrender.

Come Watch a ComedyON Saturday in the agora right after the Olympic games

The Conquering King The Great City-States

Slowly, the small isolated villages of the Dark Age began to trade again. These villages grew bigger and soon became city-states. The two largest city-states were Athens and Sparta. Athens had the most successful democracy of Greece and the economy was based on farming. Sparta had the most successful oligarchy of Greece and life was based on the Army and protection. Alexander the Great took the throne when he was only 20 years old, after his father, King Philip, was murdered. Alexander the Great was from Macedonia, and his fathers goal was to destroy Persia with the help of his skilled, professional army. Alexander the Great conquered many lands during his rule, including Tyre, Egypt, and Persepolis. Alexander turned back from his journey to India, and died from the fever on the way back. His empire fell apart but the Greek culture that Alexander was remembered for stayed in THE LANDS FOREVER.

A common Enemy Makes Everyone Friends

There was a time when Persia was very strong and was focused on conquering Greece. At First Persia went after some of the smaller city-states, and Athens Protected them. Later, When Persia Came after Athens for Revenge, All of the city-states, including SPARTA, THE RIVAL OF ATHENS, came together to protect Greece and return the favor. ALL THE CITY STATES FOUGHT IN THE PERSIAN WAR TOGETHER AS A TEAM. Although they lost some wars, the Spartans, Athenians, and other city-states stayed together and won in the end, showing that coming together and putting aside differences can help to achieve great things.

Next Wednesday come to the Parthenon to see the first predicted solar eclipse during a reading of Greek Myths

The war between the city-states