The Greeks and Romans are two of the greatest civilizations in world history.  The political accomplishments of the Greeks and Romans have provided a model for modern governmental systems.  The Byzantine Empire would emerge from the Roman Empire and preserve Greco-Roman culture.  This page will explore these topics in depth.  Below you will find a podcast and questions that are associated with the topics on this page.

Greece

Direct Democracy-Developed in Ancient Athens under Pericles. This allowed for all males to participate with no women participation.  This would be a time of prosperity for the Greeks.

Sparta-Sparta was a militaristic city-state in Ancient Greece. 

Hellenistic Era-This was a combination Greek, Persian, Indian, and Egyptian culture.  Alexander the Great would conquer much of the Middle East through his military leadership. 

Alexander the Great

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Early Rome-Was characterized by a Roman republic.  A republic is a representative democracy.  The representative body of the Roman republic was known as the Senate.

12 Tables-One of the greatest contributions from Rome were the 12 tables.  The 12 tables were an early system of laws. 

By 27 B.C.E., Augustus became the first Roman emperor.  Rome would experience the Pax Romana between 27 B.C.E.-180 C.E.  This was a time of peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire.

The Romans built an extensive road system that connected their empire.  In addition to their road system, the Romans constructed an aqueduct system that supplied water to the city.

Collapse of the Roman Empire-By 476, the Germanic Tribes had invaded the Western Roman Empire.  It is generally accepted that the reason for the collapse of the Roman Empire is due to a weak central government. 

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The Rise of Christianity

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The Byzantine Empire

Emperor Justinian

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Byzantine Empire-Started out as the Eastern Roman Empire and would survive the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.  The main city of the Byzantine Empire was known as Constantinople.  The Byzantines would preserve Greco-Roman culture and be known for a set of laws called the Justinian Code, named after emperor Justinian.

 

The Great Schism-Split between the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.  The Byzantine Empire would spread Eastern Orthodox Christianity throughout Eastern Europe.  On the other hand, the Roman Catholic Church would have an enormous impact on the Middle Ages in Europe.

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