Class Reporting Tool. Here we are concerned with how the Greek states coped with growing populations and limited resources?

• In particular: What are the characteristics of a polis? What were the dynamic elements (that is, what forced change? what devices were used?) in explaining the adoption of the polis model?
• There were two overlapping / complementary solutions to the dilemma; constitutional change and colonization.

Provide a succinct statement on each.

A new variant on the problem for this lecture, namely stasis = factionalism = class conflict. It refers to the readiness of one party in the state to tolerate or even support a tyrant or even to call in an outsider (or both) in order to gain an advantage over a local opponent. Note that 'compromise' assumes competing interests and that the issues can be resolved internally, and without outside intervention. When barbarians are the 'outsider', stasis is called Medism (the Medes were an Iranian group, related to the Persians).

Lydia, Persia and Marathon

The Problem: At a time when the polis system had just been established in some (but by no means in all states) the Greeks, singularly and collectively, faced a massive invasion from the outside.

• Given that the Mycenaean states had singularly failed to halt a similar invasion in the late bronze age, the outcome of this encounter was by no means clear.
• Given the resources that the Persians could bring to bear on the encounter, the Greeks had a distinct disadvantage in terms of manpower and material resources, and many did accommodate themselves by concluding un-equal alliances.
• But not (in their own estimation) in the quality of their soldiers: Aristotle. "...for while they were ruled by tyrants the Athenians were no better in war than any of their neighbors, but one they had got rid of their tyrants they became far and away the best. What this proves is that while they were oppressed they were like men laboring for a master--and unwilling to make an effort; but when they had been liberated, each man had his own incentive for working hard.

1. Croesus and Lydia
   1. The story Gyges (in Herodotus; in art and in a less flattering version). As told in the movie, The English Patient).
   2. Alyattes and the "eclipse" battle of 585 B.C. First solid date in Greek history; eclipse predicted by Thales.
   3. Relationship between Croesus and Greek cities of Ionia. Stories about Croesus. Croesus and Solon
      1. Mutual interests in that Lydia is Hellenized in cultural sense; temples, gifts to Greek gods; Thales.
      2. Greek cities introduced to money and receive protection of central power.
      3. Disadvantage was to pay tribute; un-Greek, an affront to their notion of freedom and autonomy. Hence, the Greek states may have conspired with Cyaxares (a Median king) before 585 to overthrow Lydia and re-assert their independence ==>hence, Medism.
2. Medes and Persians (Iranian peoples).
   1. The Medes had established an empire when they sacked and destroyed Nineveh (Assyria) in 612.
   2. In about 559, the Persians, under Cyrus, supplant their Median cousins, and then defeat Croesus. Sardis falls in 546; a reconstruction of the temple of Artemis.
   3. For Greeks, a crucial change: instead of the loose government of the Lydians. The Persian Empire:
      1. The Persians sent a satrap, a Persian governor and placed garrisons of [often] Greek mercenaries in the cities.
      2. The cities themselves were placed in the hands of tyrants (natives of the city, but whose authority depended on the Persian governor and mercenary garrison. 'Tribute' (aka taxes) extracted --literally the end of city-states. We will see this pattern later.
      3. Disruption of trade routes to west and decline in prosperity (also affected Athens).
3. Darius and the Greek World
   1. After the triumph of Cyrus over Croesus, his successor, Darius solidifies empire with conquest of Babylon in 538 and of Egypt in 525. Darius then turns to his northern frontier.
   2. Northern Campaign --the dangers of the steppe-peoples to the settled population of Middle East. Whatever the details, and much is fictious, it brought Darius around the Black Sea and into contact with more Greek cities around Black Sea and intoThrace.
   3. The Ionian Revolt
      1. begins with overthrow of tyrannies in cities and establishment of democracies on Athenian model (n.b..!!)
      2. Aristagoras goes to Greece to seek allies. Map. Sparta declines, but Athenians send aid. Sardis burned.
      3. Advice of Hecataeus: seize treasury of Apollo to use to fight or sail to west. Yikes!
      4. Final defeat
         1. Cyprus falls, of strategic importance to defense (495);
         2. Lack of unity among Greeks at Lade seals their fate in 493.
      5. Role of stasis and Medism in the cities (e.g., ACG 102); some oligarchs ready to make terms with Persians; the Persian preference for tyrants in their Greek cities (ACH 104); and especially the divisions among the Greek states. Note that successful compromise between these components [oligarchs, tyrants, demos] was perhaps a rare event.
4. Consequences of the Revolt
1. Persians are moderate: tribute re-assessed but at reasonable level and most important, internal autonomy conceded. More positive, the Persians enforced arbitration in disputes between Greek states. A generally benevolent policy, but Darius makes plans to take vengeance on Athens.
2. At Athens
1. Strong reaction to Sardis catastrophe, a Peisistratid elected archon while Hippias [the former tyrant] was still with Persians!
2. Themistocles became archon in 492;
   1. fortification of the Peireus instead of open beach at Phalaron and
   2. beginning of naval policy.
3. The long-standing conflict / rivalry with Aegina resolved with help of Sparta on the grounds that Aegina might Medize. Suggests much about role of Sparta, and about Athenians sense of 'freedom' at this time.
3. At Sparta. Battle of Sepeia (494) confirms Spartan domination of Peloponnesus. Note that both Athens and Sparta are taking steps to dominate their immediate neighbors.
5. The Strategic Dilemmas....
   1. of the Persians: danger on periphery; overwhelming force at specific point.
   2. of the Greeks: internal divisions--within cities, and between cities; no experience with common action, yet a readiness to defend the values of the polis (freedom and autonomy)T
6. Marathon. General Map. Darius's first attack; and second attack.
1. Persians send demand for 'earth and water' and then follow up through the Aegean with fleet and transports. Many islands fall.
2. Marathon 490. First phase of battle; second phase.