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About 1400 B.C. the Minoan civilization disappears. Archaeologists aren't sure why, but they think a volcanic eruption or earthquake was the cause.
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The Mycenaean civilization conquered the Greek mainland before overrunning the island of Greece. They were sea traders.
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The conflict may have begun with the Troy civilization over an economic rivalry. Some say that the war had a romantic cause.
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Many Greeks had to leave their homes due to rapid population growth. The Greeks expanded overseas. Greek settlers took their ideas and culture to other civilizations.
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The first government was by a king, called a monarchy. Eventually the power shifted to the class of noble landowners. Then the middle class challenged the landowners for power, and the result was an oligarchy.
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The Athenian government evolved from a monarchy to an aristocracy. Landowners held power and chose chief officials, judged major court cases, and dominated the assembly. Merchants and soldiers were unhappy with the power of nobles. They slowly moved to democracy.
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Iron weapons replaced bronze ones because they were cheaper. More people could afford helmets, shields, and swords. A new method of fighting emerged. It was called the phalanx, a massive tactile formation of heavily armed foot soldiers. This reduced class differences. This lead to Athens and Sparta to develop different military styles.
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Each side had to commit serious acts against each other in order to get ahead. Athens faced a serious geographic disadvantage. Sparta was inland so Athens couldn't use the Navy to attack. Sparta allied with Persia, and finally they captured Athens.
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A Greek physician, Hippocrates, studied the causes of illness and then looked for a cure. The Hippocratic oath gave him credit for ethical standards for doctors. Doctors had to take the oath to help the sick. Doctors today still do this.
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Phillip II gained the throne in 359 B.C. He dreamed of conquring many city-states. He formed many alliences and took many others. When Athens and Thebes joined forces against him, Philip II defeated them at the battle of Chaeronea. He was assassinated at his daughter's wedding.