Lesson 3 Athens' Age of Glory

Athens Rebuilds

The Greeks defeated the Persian army and began the "Golden Age" of Greece. The navy of Athens helped the city become a leader in Greek affairs and brought wealth through trade with Greek colonies. Athenians rebuilt their city on a grander scale. The Parthenon was built on the Acropolis to honor the goddess Athena . Its ruins still stand today.

The Parthenon in Athens as seen today

Government and Culture in Athens

Athens was a democracy. An assembly of citizens voted on issues that concerned their city. Pericles saw to it that any citizen could serve in the assembly or sit on a jury. Those who did were paid. Athens had schools to teach philosophy, the search for wisdom and the right way to live. Socrates, a teacher, was brought to trial for "urging young people to revolt." He was sentenced to death. Plato wrote down Socrates' ideas and also became a famous teacher. Sophocles and Euripides pioneered forms of drams that are a part of modern western theater.

Plato teaching

The Peloponnesian War

Sparta formed a union with other jealous city-states and began the Peloponnesian Wars by attacking Athens. The fighting dragged on for 27 years. Many lives were lost due to battle and plague. Athens finally surrendered, but the wars had taken their toll on all Greeks.

Acibiades      Pericles

Return to the menuQuiz yourself on Lesson 3 then move on to lesson 4

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