History Alive 25-30 Study Guide
28-3. Why did Athens and Sparta join forces to fight the Persians?
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Know the information from our geography quiz a few weeks ago (names of lines, continents, oceans, regions, degrees of certain lines, definition of desert, definition of desertification, and where deserts lie).
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Know where Sparta and Athens are on the map of Greece.
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29-2. What were the major characteristics of Greek sculpture during this period?
...Colorful, lifelike, marble
30-5. Why was adopting the culture of those he conquered a successful tactic for Alexander?
...The third part of Alexander's plan was to show respect for the cultural practices of the people he had conquered. He did this by adopting some of these practices himself. Finally, Alexander encouraged marriage between the people of Macedonia and Persia. He himself married the eldest daughter of Darius III, a Persian king he had defeated.
28-5. What was the significance of the Battle of Plataea? Another way to ask this is, why was the Greek victory at Plataea so important?
...When spring arrived, the Persians approached Athens once more. The Spartans feared that the Athenians, with their city already in ruins, would surrender to Persia. But the Athenians proudly declared their "common brotherhood with the Greeks." They joined with the Spartans to fight the Persians once again. The decisive battle took place outside the town of Plataea (pluh-TEE-uh), in 479 B.C.E. Led by the Spartans, a force of 80,000 Greek troops destroyed the Persian army. The alliance between the Athenians and Spartans was a key factor in winning the Battle of Plataea. Most importantly, the Greek victory ended the Persian wars and any future threat from the Persian Empire. The Greeks paid a high price for their defeat of the Persians. Thousands of Greeks were dead, and the city of Athens had been destroyed. But the Athenians would soon rebuild their city and raise it to an even greater glory.
29-4. What is philosophy? How did Socrates practice philosophy? What happened to him and why?
.Athenians, like other Greeks, loved to talk and argue. In the sheltered spaces to one side of the agora, men often gathered to discuss the world around them. They talked about nature, often trading ideas about the natural world, such as what it was made of and how it worked. They also talked about things they couldn't see, such as the meaning of life, justice, truth, and beauty. This kind of thinking is called philosophy, which means "the love of wisdom." Socrates (SAH-kruh-teez). Socrates encouraged people to question the very things they thought they knew. He taught others by asking them such questions as, What makes a good life? What is truth? How do you know? In this way he led his students to think about their beliefs... this constant questioning got Socrates into trouble. His enemies accused him of not honoring the gods and of leading young people into error and disloyalty. In 399 B.C.E., Socrates was brought to trial for these crimes. In defending himself, Socrates said that he was the wisest man in Greece because he recognized how little he knew. The jury found Socrates guilty and sentenced him to death. Friends encouraged him to escape from Athens, but Socrates insisted on honoring the law. He died by drinking hemlock, the juice of a poisonous plant.
29-5. Why did the Greeks hold athletic events? I n what sports did athletes compete?
.The Greeks often held athletic events to honor their gods and goddesses. In Athens, games were held as part of a festival called the Panathenaea (pan-ath-uh-NEE-uh), which honored the goddess Athena. The high point of the festival was the procession, or solemn parade. The Athenians attached a new robe, as a gift for the statue of Athena, to the mast of a ship and pulled it through the city to the temple. There were horse races and chariot races, including one event in which men jumped on and off a moving chariot. Men also competed in footraces. In one race, men ran in their armor. The games also included combat sports, such as boxing and wrestling. In an event called the pancratium, men were allowed to punch, kick, and even choke each other. The event ended when one fighter surrendered, lost consciousness, or died...
28-4. What tactics did the Greeks use to defeat the Persians at the Battle of Salamis?
.Themistocles had to get the Persian ships into a channel near a place called Salamis (SAL-uh-mis). So he set a trap. He sent a loyal servant to Xerxes' camp, with a message saying that Themistocles wanted to change sides and join the Persians. If Xerxes attacked now, the message said, half the Greek sailors would surrender. Believing the message, Xerxes ordered his ships to attack. They quickly sailed into the narrow waterway between Salamis and the mainland. As the Persians approached, the Greek ships appeared to retreat. But this was another trick to draw the Persians farther into the channel. Soon, the Greeks had them surrounded. The Greeks had attached wooden rams to the front of their ships. They rammed into the Persian boats, crushing their hulls and sinking 300 ships. The Greeks lost only 40 ships.
30-6. What happened to Alexander's empire after his death? Why might this situation have encouraged a neighboring empire, such as Rome, to consider conquering Greece in the future?
After his death, Alexander's empire fell apart. Settlers left the cities he had built, and the cities fell into ruin. His generals fought to control the empire. Eventually, his land was divided into three kingdoms. Egypt became one kingdom. Syria in the Middle East was the second kingdom. Macedonia and Greece made a third kingdom. Alexander had spread Greek ideas throughout a vast area. In the centuries to come, Greek power would slowly fade away. But Greek culture would continue to influence the lands that Alexander had once ruled.
30-3. How did Alexander spread Greek ideas?
Alexander thought that the building of Greek-style cities would be one way to accomplish his goal. He established many cities in different parts of the empire. Like the cities in Greece, they had marketplaces, temples, and theaters. People from Greece flocked to settle in Alexander's cities. They brought with them their Greek laws, art, and literature. Alexander insisted that local soldiers and government officials speak only Greek.
25-3. Why did some Greeks establish colonies?
As the populations of Greek communities increased, the existing farmland no longer produced enough food to feed all of the people. One solution was to start colonies, or settlements in distant places. Many Greek communities sent people across the sea, in search of new places to farm so that they could ship food back home. People who set up colonies are called colonists. The Greeks established colonies over a period of more than 300 years, from 1000 to 650 B.C.E. The first group of settlers started a colony called Ionia, in Asia Minor, in what is present-day Turkey. Later groups started colonies in Spain, France, Italy, and Africa, and along the coast of the Black Sea.
28-1. Who were the Persians, how did they build their empire, and at its height, what regions did they control?
At that time, Persia was the largest empire the world had ever seen. Its powerful kings ruled over lands in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. During the 400s B.C.E., the Persians invaded Greece, and the Persian wars began.
27-1. How did geography affect the development of Athens as a city-state? How did geography affect the development of Sparta as a city-state? What was the relationship between the two city-states for most of their histories?
Comparing Two City-States Its location near the sea made it easier for Athens to develop relationships with other city-states. Sparta's inland location and its culture made it more isolated than Athens. The people of Athens valued art, culture, and education. The people of Sparta valued strength, simplicity, and military skills. For most of their histories, these two city-states were bitter rivals. As you will see, the major differences between Athens and Sparta were reflected in almost every part of life.
Chapter 27 Summary
Comparing Two City-States Its location near the sea made it easier for Athens to develop relationships with other city-states. Sparta's inland location and its culture made it more isolated than Athens. The people of Athens valued art, culture, and education. The people of Sparta valued strength, simplicity, and military skills. Government Athens was a democracy, though only free men could take part in government. Sparta was primarily a military state. Its government was an oligarchy in which a few men held most of the power. Economy The economy of Athens relied on trade with other city-states and several foreign lands. The Spartan economy relied on farming and conquest. Sparta depended on slaves and other noncitizens to provide for many of its needs. Education In Athens, boys were educated to be good citizens. Education balanced book learning and physical training. Girls learned skills for managing the household. In Sparta, boys and girls alike were educated to protect the city-state. Spartan boys began their military training at age 7, and men served in the army until age 60. Women and Slaves In Athens, women and slaves had far fewer rights than men had. Spartan women had more rights than other Greek women, such as owning property.
26-2. What is the difference between a direct democracy and a representative democracy?
Direct is where everyone gets to vote on everything. Representative Democracy is where you vote for someone to represent you and they get to vote on matters.
27-2. Using 3 of the 4 areas (government, economy, education, and women/slaves), describe how Athens and Sparta were different. ** Possible Essay **
Government Economy Education Women/Slaves
30-1. What happened during the Peloponnesian War? What role did Athens and Sparta play? How did this conflict encourage the expansion of Macedonia under Philip?
In 431 B.C.E., the quarrel between Athens and Sparta grew into a conflict called the Peloponnesian War. The name comes from the Peloponnesus, the peninsula that extends south from mainland Greece. Sparta was located here. Other city-states were drawn into the war as allies of either Athens or Sparta. The war lasted for 27 years, from 431 to 404 B.C.E. Sparta won. It became the most powerful Greek city-state, until it was defeated by Thebes. While the Greek city-states fought one another, Macedonia grew stronger. For a long while, the Macedonians had lived in scattered tribes. Then King Philip II took the throne. He unified the warlike tribes of the north and created a well-trained army. Philip then looked south to mainland Greece. Years of war had left the Greeks divided and weak. Philip used this weakness. By 338 B.C.E., King Philip had conquered most of mainland Greece. He let the Greek city-states keep many freedoms. But Philip now ruled them. Never again would a Greek city-state become a great power. Philip wanted to attack Persia next, but, in 336 B.C.E., he was murdered. His son, Alexander, was the new Macedonian king.
Chapter 29 Summary
In this chapter, you explored major achievements in ancient Greek culture during the Golden Age of Athens. Athens After the Persian Wars Pericles was a great leader who promoted both the rebuilding of Athens and the growth of Greek culture and democracy. Greek Religion The Greek worship of gods and goddesses was part of everyday life. Athens was named for the goddess Athena. The Parthenon honored her. The temple at Delphi honored the god Apollo. The Greeks told myths, or stories, about their many gods. Greek Architecture and Sculpture The temples on the acropolis in Athens were examples of the Greek talent for architecture. The lifelike marble statues made in workshops displayed the art of sculpture. Greek Drama and Philosophy Athenians enjoyed dramas staged in large open-air theaters. Only male actors performed. The Greeks also enjoyed discussing philosophy. Socrates was one of the greatest philosophers in Athens. Greek Sports The Greeks competed in athletic events at the Panathenaic Games and the Olympics. Events included races and combat sports.
Chapter 28 Summary
In this chapter, you learned about the factors that helped the smaller Greek forces defeat the powerful Persian Empire during the Persian wars. The Persian Empire and the Ionian Revolt The vast Persian Empire extended from Egypt east to the Indus River. In 546 B.C.E., the Persians conquered the Greek settlements of Ionia. The Ionians revolted, and in 493 B.C.E., the Persians defeated them. This triggered the first of the Persian wars in 490 B.C.E. The Battle of Marathon In 490 B.C.E., the Persian king Darius invaded Greece. At the Battle of Marathon, better Greek weapons and strategy defeated the Persians. The Battle of Thermopylae In 480 B.C.E., the Persian army used a secret mountain path to surround a small Spartan force and win the Battle of Thermopylae. Then the Persians advanced to Athens. The Battle of Salamis In the same year, 480 B.C.E., the Persian king Xerxes burned down Athens. The Persian navy was later defeated at the Battle of Salamis, when Greek ships rammed and sank the Persian vessels. The Battle of Plataea In 479 B.C.E., an army of 80,000 allied Athenian and Spartan troops destroyed the Persian army in this decisive battle that ended the Persian wars.
Chapter 25 Summary
In this chapter, you learned about the ways in which geography influenced settlement and way of life in ancient Greece. Isolated Communities and the Difficulties of Travel Greece's steep mountains and surrounding seas forced Greeks to settle in isolated communities. Travel by land was hard, and sea voyages were hazardous. Farming in Ancient Greece Most ancient Greeks farmed, but good land and water were scarce. They grew grapes and olives, and raised sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens. Starting Colonies Many ancient Greeks sailed across the sea to found colonies that helped spread Greek culture. Colonists settled in lands that include parts of present day Turkey, Spain, France, Italy, and northern Africa. Trading for Needed Goods To meet their needs, the ancient Greeks traded with other city-states, their colonies, and with other peoples in the Mediterranean region. They exchanged olive oil and pottery for such goods as grain, timber, and metal.
Chapter 30 Summary
In this chapter, you learned how Alexander the Great built and ruled his empire. The Peloponnesian War and the Rise of Macedonia Athens and Sparta and their allies fought one another in the Peloponnesian War, lasting from 431 to 404 B.C.E. Then, King Philip II of Macedonia took advantage of the Greeks' weakness after years of warfare and conquered most of Greece. Alexander Creates and Unites an Empire Alexander, son of Philip, became king. Educated by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, Alexander enlarged his empire by invading Asia Minor. He conquered Persia, Egypt, Central Asia, and western India. He planned to unite his vast empire by spreading Greek culture, by inspiring loyalty through religion, and by adopting some of the customs of conquered peoples. Spreading Greek Ideas, Using Religion, and Adopting the Ways of Conquered Cultures Alexander built Greek-style cities, such as Alexandria, in Egypt. Greeks settled in these cities and brought their laws and arts. Alexander made Egyptian and Persian gods equal to Greek gods. He also encouraged the idea that he himself was a god. He adopted customs from the cultures of the people he had conquered, such as the Persian system of government. Alexander's Empire Crumbles After Alexander's death in 323 B.C.E., his generals fought among themselves for control of the empire. Settlers left the cities Alexander had built. The empire divided into three kingdoms. But the Greek culture that he had spread would continue to influence the lands Alexander had ruled.
Chapter 26 Summary
In this chapter, you read about four forms of government used by ancient Greek city-states. Monarchy: One Person Inherits Power Most Greek city-states were monarchies until about 800 B.C.E. In a monarchy, one person, usually a king, holds the power. Ancient Greek kings had councils of aristocrats to help them rule. Oligarchy: A Few People Share Power Between about 800 and 650 B.C.E., most Greek city-states were ruled by oligarchies, in which power is held by a few people. Most oligarchs were wealthy aristocrats who ignored the needs of poor people. The poor eventually turned to leaders who promised to improve their lives. Tyranny: One Person Takes Power by Force From the mid-600s to about 500 B.C.E., many Greek city-states were ruled by tyrants. Tyranny is a form of government in which a person who is not a lawful king holds the power. Democracy: All Citizens Share Power The people of Athens were the first Greeks to develop a form of democracy, known as a direct democracy, in which every citizen was allowed to vote on every issue.
30-2. Name the two tactics Alexander used to create his empire and why/when he would use each. Explain Alexander's 3-point plan (using examples) to unify his large empire? ** Possible Essay**
Kindness and Meaness Alexander created a plan to achieve his goals. The plan had three key parts. First, he would spread Greek culture and ideas. Second, he would use religion to inspire loyalty. Third, he would show respect for the cultures he had conquered, and even adopt some of their customs. Let's look at each part of his plan.
25-4. Why did many Greek settlements rely on trade?
Many Greek settlements on the mainland relied on trade with each other to get needed goods. Some had enough farmland to meet their own needs, so they were less dependent on trade. The Greeks traded among the city-states, with Greek colonies, and in the wider Mediterranean region. Olive oil and pottery from the mainland were exchanged for such goods as grain, timber, and metal. Most goods were carried on ships owned by merchants.
26-1. Explain how and why the ancient Greeks progressed from a monarchy to a democracy. ** Possible Essay **
Monarchy is ruled by one and many had advisors (aristocrats), whom the monarch needed support of in time of war, eventually aristrocrats overthrew Monarchs and ruling became by Oligarchy. An Oligarchy is rule by a few wealthy individuals who ignored the needs of the masses. Most often backed by the army as the enforcers as they got richer and the poor got poorer. Eventually they were overthrown by a military leader and this became Tyranny (rule by one who in not a lawful King) and generally through power and control of the army. Eventually people got tired of being controlled and wanted a say and from that Democracy was born.
25-2. What did ancient Greeks choose to farm and what techniques did they use due to their geography?
Most people in ancient Greece made their living by farming. But farming wasn't easy in that mountainous land. Even in the plains and valleys, the land was rocky, and water was scarce. There were no major rivers flowing through Greece, and the rains fell mostly during the winter months. With limited flat land available, Greek farmers had to find the best ways to use what little land they had. Some farmers built wide earth steps into the hills to create more flat land for planting. A few farmers were able to grow wheat and barley, but most grew crops that needed less land, particularly grapes and olives. Greek farmers produced a lot of olive oil, which was used for cooking, to make soap, and as fuel for lamps.
29-1. How did religion influence architecture and daily life?
The Olympian gods and goddesses were part of everyday life in ancient Greece. For example, before setting out on journeys by land or sea, the Greeks would ask them for help. The Greeks dedicated their festivals and sporting events to their deities. Greek artists decorated the temples with images of them.
Know when each Greco-Persian war took place.
The Persian Empire and the Ionian Revolt The vast Persian Empire extended from Egypt east to the Indus River. In 546 B.C.E., the Persians conquered the Greek settlements of Ionia. The Ionians revolted, and in 493 B.C.E., the Persians defeated them. This triggered the first of the Persian wars in 490 B.C.E. The Battle of Marathon In 490 B.C.E., the Persian king Darius invaded Greece. At the Battle of Marathon, better Greek weapons and strategy defeated the Persians. The Battle of Thermopylae In 480 B.C.E., the Persian army used a secret mountain path to surround a small Spartan force and win the Battle of Thermopylae. Then the Persians advanced to Athens. The Battle of Salamis In the same year, 480 B.C.E., the Persian king Xerxes burned down Athens. The Persian navy was later defeated at the Battle of Salamis, when Greek ships rammed and sank the Persian vessels. The Battle of Plataea In 479 B.C.E., an army of 80,000 allied Athenian and Spartan troops destroyed the Persian army in this decisive battle that ended the Persian wars.
Know who won each Greco-Persian war.
The Persian Empire and the Ionian Revolt The vast Persian Empire extended from Egypt east to the Indus River. In 546 B.C.E., the Persians conquered the Greek settlements of Ionia. The Ionians revolted, and in 493 B.C.E., the Persians defeated them. This triggered the first of the Persian wars in 490 B.C.E. The Battle of Marathon In 490 B.C.E., the Persian king Darius invaded Greece. At the Battle of Marathon, better Greek weapons and strategy defeated the Persians. The Battle of Thermopylae In 480 B.C.E., the Persian army used a secret mountain path to surround a small Spartan force and win the Battle of Thermopylae. Then the Persians advanced to Athens. The Battle of Salamis In the same year, 480 B.C.E., the Persian king Xerxes burned down Athens. The Persian navy was later defeated at the Battle of Salamis, when Greek ships rammed and sank the Persian vessels. The Battle of Plataea In 479 B.C.E., an army of 80,000 allied Athenian and Spartan troops destroyed the Persian army in this decisive battle that ended the Persian wars.
28-2. How was the Persian Empire organized (hint: think "provinces")?
The Persians started out as a small group of nomads, in what is now Iran. They built a large empire by conquering neighbors. By unleashing a storm of arrows that surprised their enemies, Persian archers won many battles, often before their opponents could get close enough to use their lances, or spears. At its height, the Persian Empire extended from Egypt, in North Africa, east to the Indus River in present-day Pakistan. The empire was ruled by powerful kings who conquered Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Egypt, and parts of India and Europe.
29-3. Explain one way ancient Greek theater was similar to modern theater and one way it was different.
The Same: They gave awards, were part of life Different: There were no women actors in ancient Greece
25-1. Why were settlements isolated from one another in ancient Greece?
The mountains and the seas of Greece contributed greatly to the isolation of ancient Greek communities. Because travel over the mountains and across the water was so difficult, the people in different settlements had little communication with each other. Travel by land was especially hard. People mostly walked, or rode in carts pulled by oxen or mules. Roads were unpaved. Sharp rocks frequently shattered wooden wheels, and thick mud could stop a wagon in its tracks. Only wealthy people could afford to ride horses.
30-4. In what ways did Alexander use religion to unify his empire?
The second part of Alexander's plan—to inspire loyalty among his followers and the people he had conquered—involved religion. Alexander used religion in two ways. First, he honored Egyptian and Persian gods, with the same respect he paid to Greek gods. To show his respect, he visited oracle sites, made sacrifices, and had temples built to honor these gods. On one occasion, he visited the oracle site of the Egyptian god Ammon. When he arrived, an Egyptian priest welcomed him as "God's son." The priest's words helped Alexander gain the loyalty of the Egyptian people. Second, Alexander promoted the idea that he himself was a god. After his visit to the Egyptian oracle, he began wearing a crown with two ram's horns. This crown looked much like the sacred headdress of Ammon. Seeing Alexander wearing the crown encouraged the Egyptians to accept him as a god.
