Archaic Greece

Archaic Greece

Who: Greek Mainland

When: 750 - 500 BCE

What: Greek emergence from Dark Age and a period of growth and expansion not only in Greek political arenas but also in theological and philsophical thought. Olympic Games marked the end of the Dark Age. The Archaic age marked the beginning of the Greek polis (city-state). The polis emerged because of the mountainous and fractured geograpy of Greece. There was also Greek Colonization during this age but it was done by individuals not governments. All free men were considered citizens who shared governing power. Women were not equal to men but they were allowed some rights under the law. The Hoplite Revolution and the growing number of poor citizens is attributed to the growing equally of political power. In contrast to their political freedoms during this period Greeks extended their practice of slavery. The new political ideas ushered in new thoughts and endeavors. Poets began composing again as writing reemerged in Greece. Greek Philosophers developed many new ideas including looking for a universal cause for things, rationalism, and the idea that life is not governed by the whims of the gods.

Significance: Invention of the polis would govern Greek political organization for years to come. Greek art and literature would be admired by other civilizations (especially Romans later in the century) Also Greek philosophical thought established a way to think about things (rationalism) that is still used today as a basis for scientifical and philosophical thought.