Unit 2 Questions

How were the city-states of ancient Greece organized?

A city-state was called a Polis by the Greeks. The central meeting places of most Polis' were at the top of a hill there was an Acropolis that served as a place of refuge during an attack and occasionally a religious center on which temples were built. Below the acropolis was an agora which was an open area that served as a market and an open area that people could assemble at.

How did Athens's growing power lead to conflict with Sparta?

After the defeat of the Persians, the Greeks divided into two sections. There were the supporters of Spartan rule and the supporters of the Athenians. Neither party was able to support or respect the other's system which lead to a massive war.

How did the rule of Alexander the Great affect Greek culture?

Alexander had extended Greek and Macedonian over a large area and due to this more areas were influenced by Greek language, architecture, literature, art, and religious diversity in parts of Asia and North Africa. Alexander's rule created a new era called the Hellenistic era which means "to imitate the Greeks" many cultures were influenced by this era.

What was the significance of Hellenistic cities as a result of Alexander the Great's conquests?

Alexander the Great was determined to spread the Greek culture and language throughout the world, some historians say that some of his cities may have developed as far as modern Afghanistan and India. Unity was the biggest idea throughout the Hellenistic era, it was a success until the death of Alexander the Great and the Kingdoms that emerged as the successors to Alexander fell, and were all eventually conquered by the Romans.

What is an oracle, and why was it important to the Greeks?

An oracle is a sacred shrine dedicated to gods or goddesses who were said to reveal the future priest or priestess. These were important to the Greeks because without it they wouldn't know who to chose as a priest and usually helped them receive answers they might have had.

Identify the similarities and differences between the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Both the Iliad and the Odyssey were written by Homer as well Homer used the trojan war in these epic poems. Although the Odyssey focuses on the hero's journey home and the Iliad focuses on the hero's actions that led to disaster but both epic poems focus on courage, and honor.

How did the geography of Greece contribute to its development?

Greece is a small area, it is about the size of Louisiana. Greece is a mountainous peninsula with several islands, 80% of Greece is made up of mountain ranges that surround plains and river valleys, causing Greeks to be isolated from one another. Because Greece is a peninsula, Greece has long sea coasts, the coastline is 8,500 miles long. Greece had many seafarers because the amount of water available.

What groundbreaking art and literature were produced during the classical period in Greece?

Greek art was based on the balanced and harmony of all things, one of the best examples of classic Greek architecture and art is the Parthenon in Athens dedicated to Athena. Drama was founded in ancient Greece and some of them are described as great works and still read today. Greek societies believed in making art after the human ideal of beauty, that is why there are so many nude statues in Greek culture, because that is how the Greeks saw the ideal human.

How was Greek religion an essential part of Greek society?

In Greek life they believed that religion was essential to the" well -being of the state" so religion was in every aspect of Greek life. Temples and major buildings were dedicated to the gods and goddesses as well as major celebrations to honor the gods and goddesses. Infact Greeks were so eager to please the gods and goddesses oracles were created to learn the will of the gods/ goddesses.While religion is a part of our society in the USA we do not take religion and incorporate it into every aspect of life as a whole society.

How did the Greeks spread their culture and political ideas throughout the Mediterranean?

Large numbers of Greeks left their homelands to settle in lands with better farming, better trade, and more space between 750 BC and 550 BC. As these people settled down, which formed colonies. These new colonies started to spread their culture throughout the Mediterranean.

What different systems of government did Sparta and Athens have?

Spartans had a militant government and every year they elected five men called ephor who were responsible for education of the youth and conduct of the citizens. While the Athenians had a oligarchy which was where the male landowners had power in making laws and controlled money.

What was the Age of Pericles, and how did it involve direct democracy?

The Age of Pericles was between 461 B.C and 429 B.C when Pericles overtook Athenian politics and involved direct democracy because by expanding the government and involvement of the Athenian people it made every male citizen take part in mass meetings for government decision making.

Identify the good that Greeks exported to and imported from their colonies.

The Greeks exported their pottery, olive oil, and wine to the colonies and, in return for this, they received metals, grains, timber, wheat, fish, and slaves from the West and Black Sea regions.

What characterized the first Greek civilization of the Mycenaeans?

The Mycenaean state flourished in Greece between 1600 BC and 1100 BC. The Mycenaean Greeks came from people who spread into Europe and Asia. The civilization reached its peak between 1400 BC and 1200 BC, and it was made up of powerful monarchies that resided in a fortified palace center. These centers were built on hills and they had high stone walls. The Mycenaeans were a civilization that prided themselves on their deeds in battle and their successes in hunting.

What were the philosophical ideas that came out of ancient Greece?

The Sophists, who were philosophers that traveled around Greece, rejected speculation. They believed that it is beyond the human mind to understand the universe, and that it is far more important for individuals to improve themselves. The philosopher Socrates taught his pupils for free, because he believed that the goal of education was to improve the individual, not monetary gain. He believed that all real knowledge is already in each person, and that they only need critical examination to bring it out. Plato was taught by Socrates, and was another philosopher. He believed that a higher world of eternal, unchanging Forms have always existed. The Forms make up reality, and only a trained mind could be aware and understand them. Aristotle was taught by Plato. He believed that there is another, higher, world of reality beyond material things, and that forms are a part of the things themselves.

How are the arts and sciences of the Hellenistic age connected?

The arts and science of the Hellenistic age are connected in that during this age, they both grew at an astronomical rate. Science was making incredible advances, while at the same time, artists were moving away from idealism and into realistic and emotional art. This is evident due to the statues of elderly women and young children. These incredible advances lead to the formation of different schools established by various philosophers. This era instilled the thought that knowledge is power.

What did the Greek city-states do to defend themselves against Persian invaders?

Under the direction of Themistocles Athenians built a navy of 200 vessels which later helped them win the war. Also Athenians followed a new military policy, and the Greeks formed a defensive league under the spartas.

Why was the expansion of Athenian democracy by Pericles a turning point in history?

Under the leader Pericles Athens, expanded its empire abroad while democracy flourished at home. What is called the Age of Pericles was the height of Athenian power and brilliance.