ARCHAIC GREECE Meaning and
Definition
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Archaic Greece refers to a historical period in ancient Greece that spanned roughly from the 8th century BCE to the early 5th century BCE. This era marked the aftermath of the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization and the beginning of the rise of the Greek city-states.
During Archaic Greece, Greek society underwent significant changes and developments. Politically, it transitioned from a feudalistic society to a city-state model, where independent city-states, such as Athens and Sparta, emerged as political entities. The city-states were typically governed by oligarchies or tyrants, with varying degrees of political participation from their citizens.
In terms of culture and art, Archaic Greece witnessed the birth of the polis (city-state), which became the focal point of social life, artistic expression, and intellectual discourse. The poet Homer composed his epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, during this period, becoming foundational works of Greek literature. Sculpture and pottery also flourished, displaying a shift from the rigid, geometric style of the preceding dark ages to more naturalistic and humanistic representations.
Furthermore, Archaic Greece witnessed advancements in trade and colonization, leading to the establishment of Greek colonies across the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. These colonies played a vital role in spreading Greek culture and furthering commercial networks, contributing to the subsequent prosperity and influence of the Greek city-states.
Overall, Archaic Greece was a transformative period in Greek history, laying the foundations for the later flourishing of classical Greece and its contributions to Western civilization.
Etymology of ARCHAIC GREECE
The term "archaic" is derived from the Greek word "archaîos", meaning "ancient" or "old". It refers to the period of Greek history that lasted from approximately the 8th century BCE to the Persian Wars in the early 5th century BCE. The word "Greece" originates from the Latin word "Graecia", which came from the Greek word "Graikoi", the name of an ancient Hellenic tribe. Over time, "Graecia" was used in Latin to refer to the entire Hellenic world. So, when we combine "archaic" and "Greece", we refer to the ancient period in Greek history.
