Greetings to the board,
My question, is a several part question regarding Ancient Greece in the Archaic period and how it related to the nearby Middle East and surrounding world. Before someone asks, yes this is in regards to my current tl, where I would like to expand upon Europe, an area that I have little knowledge of, especially Ancient Greece.
1. Most broadly, if one was to list the major powers in Greece during the period of 650-590 BCE, which would be the case? I am under the impression, that Athens was already a democracy and under the rule of Draco or he as a legislator. Was Athens already preeminent in this period, also was Sparta of a powerful skill yet? Further, where were the most major points of Hellenic commerce in mainland Greece?
2. In the year 600 BCE, where all had Hellenic colonists spread to? I have a general idea on this, but am not entirely sure. Also, to what extent is Asia Minor hellenized? It may be conjectural, but it would be good to have some estimates. Lydia is in its dominant period in the late 600s BCE, however, it would seem likely that much of Ionia is already Hellenic by this point. Are there any ongoing colonisation attempts?
3. What was the general Greek view of the Lydian kingdom? If Lydia was to hold Asia minor, would there be the same resistance/defiance to Lydia as to the Achaemenid empire? Conversely, what might be the general view of the board on the opinion Greeks would take of the Assyrian empire, if it was to conquer Lydia or conversely, if Media is to conquer Lydia?
4. Internally, what sort of dynamics were at work in Greece at the time? Any sort of rivalries, political developments, intellectual movements of note that would be important?
5.What type of relation did the major Greek city states have with the peoples to their north, namely:
-Thracians
-Dacians
-Scythians/Cimmerians
To what degree would Greek city states be willing to support or contrast against the Scythians? Is there any sort of benefit that would lead to them aligning to a major empire and pushing out varied steppe nomads?
6. What sort of military capabilities do the Greek cities have at the moment? Any sorts of trends or styles?
7. I am sure considering the Greek objections to prostration, that the Greeks would greatly resent the idea of the Assyrian empire, and its stupendous titles. Namely, 'kings of the universe,' 'kings of all peoples,' etc... These are compounded in many ways in general court customs. How might the Greeks view such a hegemonic empire such as Assyria with its often divine connotations in kingship. Can the Greek states openly accept these?
I am aware that this is a lot of work for an answer, however, it would be much appreciated for some replies regarding these topics!
My question, is a several part question regarding Ancient Greece in the Archaic period and how it related to the nearby Middle East and surrounding world. Before someone asks, yes this is in regards to my current tl, where I would like to expand upon Europe, an area that I have little knowledge of, especially Ancient Greece.
1. Most broadly, if one was to list the major powers in Greece during the period of 650-590 BCE, which would be the case? I am under the impression, that Athens was already a democracy and under the rule of Draco or he as a legislator. Was Athens already preeminent in this period, also was Sparta of a powerful skill yet? Further, where were the most major points of Hellenic commerce in mainland Greece?
2. In the year 600 BCE, where all had Hellenic colonists spread to? I have a general idea on this, but am not entirely sure. Also, to what extent is Asia Minor hellenized? It may be conjectural, but it would be good to have some estimates. Lydia is in its dominant period in the late 600s BCE, however, it would seem likely that much of Ionia is already Hellenic by this point. Are there any ongoing colonisation attempts?
3. What was the general Greek view of the Lydian kingdom? If Lydia was to hold Asia minor, would there be the same resistance/defiance to Lydia as to the Achaemenid empire? Conversely, what might be the general view of the board on the opinion Greeks would take of the Assyrian empire, if it was to conquer Lydia or conversely, if Media is to conquer Lydia?
4. Internally, what sort of dynamics were at work in Greece at the time? Any sort of rivalries, political developments, intellectual movements of note that would be important?
5.What type of relation did the major Greek city states have with the peoples to their north, namely:
-Thracians
-Dacians
-Scythians/Cimmerians
To what degree would Greek city states be willing to support or contrast against the Scythians? Is there any sort of benefit that would lead to them aligning to a major empire and pushing out varied steppe nomads?
6. What sort of military capabilities do the Greek cities have at the moment? Any sorts of trends or styles?
7. I am sure considering the Greek objections to prostration, that the Greeks would greatly resent the idea of the Assyrian empire, and its stupendous titles. Namely, 'kings of the universe,' 'kings of all peoples,' etc... These are compounded in many ways in general court customs. How might the Greeks view such a hegemonic empire such as Assyria with its often divine connotations in kingship. Can the Greek states openly accept these?
I am aware that this is a lot of work for an answer, however, it would be much appreciated for some replies regarding these topics!