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The first Olympic games took place. They would continue every four years. The Olympics is meant to honor the Greek god Zeus.
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The Messenian War starts as a fight between Sparta and Messenia. It lasted many years. It is actually the first war. (their is more than one).
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The Greek poet Homer began to write the famous stories the Iliad and the Odyssey. These stories are some of the most famous literacy works.
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Athens was the first city state to experiment with democracy. It was introduced by Cleisthenes. Their democracy is actually quite a bit different from our democracy.
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The Persians wanted to expand their empire into Europe and conquer Greece. They failed and Greece won the war. The battle of Thermopylae and the battle of Marathon are two of some of the most important battles in the war.
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The Parthenon is completed in Athens on the Acropolis. This temple was built in honor for the goddess Athena. This building has survived and is able to be viewed today.
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Sparta and Athens have a war that lasts 27 years! Sparta won and conquered Athens changing Athens completely. The Athenians knew that Sparta didn't want a long war so they gave it to them!
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Socrates was one of the greatest Greek philosophers. He is known for the Socratic method and his teachings were carried down by Plato. He was put to death for "corrupting the young men of Athens."
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Plato the student of Socrates developed the academy. Some of the greatest philosophers went to the academy. It lasted for more than 900 years, but the Roman emperor Justinian closed it because it didn't teach Christianity.
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Alexander already conquered Persia and also Egypt. Greek culture was spreading wherever he went and Alexander already conquered most of the known world!
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Like all the greats, they are gone too soon. Alexander died starting the Hellenistic Period. Generals fought over who the the throne goes to because all Alexander said when he died was the throne would go "to the strongest."
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Rome conquered Greece ending the Greek empire and making it apart of the great Roman empire.
