Aldworth Greece Unit

What were the types of government in the poleis?

- Monarchy: like Kings -Oligarchy: rule by local nobles -Tyrants: ambitious politicians (good or bad)

How long was Pericles reign? How did he widen democracy?

-32 years and was elected 30 times -Widened democracy by severing ties with Sparta and introducing pay to public office

What was the Hellenistic Age? Describe the accomplishments of Greeks during this time. (Be sure to include accomplishments in the arts, sciences, mathematics, etc.)

-After Alexander's death, his empire is split into 3 and these expand, combine, and extend Greek and Persian culture -huge cultural accomplishments such as architecture, art, math/science, literature, etc.

What is meant by saying that the D.L. was an instrument for the Athenian empire?

-Athenians wouldn't allow other cities to leave because they benefitted from the wealth the league brought them

What is democracy? What's the difference between direct and representative democracy?

-Democracy is when all members have an equal share to power -Direct: Polis ruled by assembly of all citizens, every citizen votes on every issue -Representative: elected officials represent a group of people (43,000 citizens could vote but only 6000 did)

How and why did Athenian democracy emerge?

-Every citizen votes on every issue -made it so all citizens (adult free males) voted on every issue

What story the did Iliad tell? Odyssey? What lessons were taught by these epics?

-Iliad: story of the Trojan War -Odyssey: story of return home of Odysseus to his wife, Penelope

Who was Oedipus Rex? Where was he king? Why is his story a tragedy?

-King of Thebes -accidentally kills his father and marries his mother -tragedy because he ends up blinding himself in the end

Where were the earliest civilizations located?

-Minoans located in Crete

Why did Athens face bad times during the last 30 years of the 5th century?

-Peloponnesian War (Athenians lose) -Plague in Athens

Who was Plato? What was his most famous work called? What was it about?

-Plato: prized student of Socrates, Most famous work: The Republic - about an ideal society in which people fulfilled every role they were best suited for and there would be no luxury and a philosopher king would rule

Who was Aristotle? What is a syllogism?

-Prized student of Plato (but usually disagreed with him) and believed reason was the ultimate source of good, and established his own school called The Lyceum. He also studied numerous subjects such as science, math, physics, biology, etc. -Syllogism: if a=b and b=c then a=c

What was the battle of Troy? Who was fighting whom? Who won the war? (be able to name warriors on Trojan and Greek side)

-The battle was Mycenaeans vs. Trojans -Greeks (Mycenaeans) won Notable warriors: -Troy-:Paris, Hector, King Priam -Greek: King Menolaus, King Agamemnon, Odysseus

Who was Alexander III of Macedon? Why was he called 'The Great'? When did he reign? Who, what and where did he rule? Where did he conquer?

-The son of Philip II -called "The Great" because he conquered most of the known world -conquered: Anatolia, Tyre, Egypt (becomes Pharaoh), Persepolis (becomes king of Persians)

What was the significance of the Greeks adopting the Phoenician alphabet?

-They were able to better communicate with one another -easier to read/write

Who was Arthur Evans? What did he discover?

-a British man who discovered and named the Minoans and Knossos

Who was King Minos?

-a mighty king and a great warrior, rumored to be a son of the Greek god Zeus -Minoans named after him

Who was Homer? Why is he important?

-believed by the ancient Greeks to have been the first and greatest of the epic poets (Iliad and Odyssey) -poems that taught lessons bigger than the story itself (mostly about heroes, bravery, and duty)

Why was Philip of Macedonia able to conquer Greece?

-better army (phalanx)

Describe the lifecycle of a Spartan from baby to adult.

-birth: judged to be fit or not (if not, abandoned or made a helot) -7: taken away from home to train with harsh discipline and live in barracks -20: must pass test to become full citizens- if passed, required to live in barracks and marry to produce new Spartan babies -30: could vote and live with their families -60: could retire from military/army

What was the Greek Dark Age? What was happening in Greece during this time?

-declining population and falling food production -few records exist from this time -time of great migrations to islands in the Aegean (especially Ionia, or Western Asia Minor) -Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet using 24 letters which made reading/writing easier -Homer's works began to spread at end of DA

Why did Greek isolation lead to wars?

-didn't know each other, or like each other. -wanted each other's territories -They became isolated due to the geography around them. When attacked, they were often trapped by the high mountains around them and were often caught with no room to escape.

Who was Heinrich Schliemann? What did he discover?

-discovered Mycenaeans, Troy, and Tiryns -German businessman and a pioneer of archaeology

Who were the Minoans? Where did they live?

-early inhabitants of the Greek Peninsula -earliest civilization in Aegean region -> emerged on Crete -named after King Minos -discovered by Arthur Evans -influenced by Phoenicians, Egyptian, and Mesopotamians

Achievements of Alexander the Great

-ending the era of independent Greek city-states -creating a blend of Greek and eastern culture called Hellenism -establishing a center of Hellenic civilization in Alexandria, Egypt

What were the 3 core values of the Spartan polis?

-equality (among citizens) -military fitness -spending reduction

What were some of the events? Who could participate? What did the winners get?

-events: javelin, boxing, wrestling, running -only free-born Greek men could participate -winners got the prestige of victory and a crown of olive leaves

Where did the Mycenaean's influence spread?

-expanded influence all over Mediterranean, Anatolia, Sicily, and Italy

What's a fresco? What did the frescos at Knossos reveal about Minoan culture?

-fresco= painting on plaster -they revealed Minoan lifestyle (good relationship with sea, animals) -showed that the civilization was grander and more complex than any of the others known.

Who were the Dorians?

-helped begin GDA -people of Northern Greece who migrated through central Greece and into the Peloponnesus -defeating and displacing the Mycenaeans

How and why were the early inhabitants of the Greek peninsula influenced?

-influenced by surrounding people because of their extensive use of trade, which both spread their influence and led them to be influenced

What is Knossos?

-legend of labyrinth and minotaur -palace complex with an elaborate structure

In Sparta, which two people would have their name on a grave stone? Why these?

-men who die in battle -and women who die in childbirth (they give their lives to the state)

Sappho

-most famous woman with a reputation for literary talent -charged with homosexual activity -only fragments of her poetry survive

Who were the Mycenaeans?

-named after the city of Mycenae -peak: (1500-1100 BCE) -strong warriors, built wooden horse to destroy/sack the town of Troy

What is meant by "golden age of Athens?"

-period of Athenian political hegemony, economic growth and cultural flourishing -at its "peak" -Greeks defeat Persians -Athens-> Delian League-> $$$-> navy, power, building

What's a polis? When and where were they developed?

-polis: small but autonomous political unit in which all major political, social, and religious activities were carried out at one central location -developed during the Greek Dark Ages in Greece

Why did the Greeks use the sea so much?

-sailed extensively in Aegean Sea and Ionian Sea -had colonies throughout the Mediterranean and beyond -sea trade-routes enabled foreigners to travel to Greece

What is Linear A?

-script devised by officials in which written symbols stood for syllables rather than words, ideas, vowels, or consonants. -Cretan admin used the script to keep detailed records of economic and commercial matters.

Describe the geography of Greece

-small mountainous peninsula -many small plains and river valleys -most famous mountain: Mt. Olympus -mountain ranges (8000-10,000 ft); leaves Greeks isolated from each other

What is the legend of the labyrinth?

-that a minotaur lives in the labyrinth on Crete and its inhabitants

Why did the ancient games come to an end? When were the modern games revived? Where was the 1st modern Olympic games held?

-they declines in importance as Romans gained power (games were seen as a pagan, not Christian, festival) -1st modern Olympics revived in the 1896 in Athens

Why weren't the Spartans in the same alliance with the Athenians?

-they opposed Athens (which ultimately led to war)

Why did so many Athenians die of the plague? Approximately how many died? (fraction)

-they were in too close of quarters in the city -1/3 of population dies

What did the Minoans trade? With whom?

-traded wine, olive oil, textiles -with Mainland Greece, Anatolia, Phoenicia, throughout Mediterranean

What is meant by the Spartan quote, "With this shield or on it"?

-you would come back alive with your shield or dead being carried on it

Describe the process of ostracism in Athens.

1. Assembly members write name of harmful politicians on a piece of pottery (ostrakon) 2. If majority, that one named-> exiled 1o years (some were recalled)

When was Greece's Heroic Age?

1200 BCE- 700 BCE

How big is Greece?

45,000 squared miles (about the size of Louisiana)

When were the 1st Olympic games held?

776 BCE

Describe the name and structure of the Spartan fighting formation

A phalanx or a rectangle of fighters "human tank" of compact fighters all close together with their spears and shields pointed outward

What is the Parthenon?

A temple in the Athenian acropolis, dedicated to goddess Athena

The name of the sea around which Greek civilization developed is the....

Aegean

Who were the first Greek playwrights?

Aeschylus and Aristophanes

Give an example from the Iliad of the gods intervening in the affairs of humans.

Apollo guiding Paris' arrow to Achilles heel

The greek ideal of excellence was ....

Arete

difference between Athenian and Spartan govt.

Athenian- democracy Spartan- imposed order by military means

What were the greatest Greek city-states?

Athens, Sparta

Summarize (including: who, what when, where, why, significance) the Greco-Persian wars:

Battle of Marathon: -Greece vs. Persia -Greece wins -beginning of 5th century BCE -they were lead my Miltiades. -It was a defensive by the Athenians hoping to protect Athens from Persian invasion. -proved that the mighty Persians could in fact be beaten -Persians didn't launch another expedition for 10 years. Death of Darius/rise of Xerxes: -Darius Dies, son takes over-> wants to expand and take revenge for Marathon -beginning of 5th centry Persian invasion under Xerxes: -Xerxes undertook a vengeful invasion -beginning of 5th century -used over 150,000 troops and 700 ships -built a bridge over the Hellespont into mainland Greece. -the army was to pass through Thermopylae, which was to create Greece's last stand. Battle at Thermopylae/The Spartan 300: -Spartans vs. Persians -Persians win -beginning of 5th century BCE -greek force: small but determined, led by Leonidas -300 Spartans (Greeks) block wall to stop the Persian invasion of Athens -occurred at the pass of Thermopylae -the brave Spartan 300 and the Athenians fought to the last man to stop the Persians -heroic Greek loss at that battle caused a need for Athens to be evacuated as the Persians advanced. Evacuation of Athens: -occurred because the Persians were advancing towards Athens after the Battle at Thermopylae -led to the navy staying near the Salamis island where the Athenians were evacuated and staging the Battle of Salamis. Battle of Salamis: (name of the Greek War ship?) -Greek city-states vs. Persia -beginning of 5th Century BCE -Greek commander: Themistocles -Persian commander: Xerxes -Greece wins -Athenian navy staged the Battle of Salamis in the waters near the Salamis islands to order to try and stop the Persian Navy -Athenians were able to outmaneuver the Persians and deciviely beat them. Though much of his force was intact, Xerxes returned his forces to Asia. Greek defeat of Persians army and navy at Plataea and Mycale: -Greeks assembled their largest force yet and took on the retreating Persians on land and sea at Plataea and Mycale. -This was to liberate the rest of the Greek areas from Persian control. -significant because it drove the Persians and destroyed much of the Persian fighting force. The remnants of which returned to Asia.

Why were Athens and Sparta the most important poleis?

Because they held the most power -Sparta: military center -Athens: cultural center

Who was Cleisthenes? What were his reforms? Successful? Helpful?

Cleisthenes: noble Athenian of the Alcmaeonid family Biggest Contribution: broader representation Reforms: -changed Athenian political organization from 4 traditional tribes into 10 -established legislative body to help make laws (members chosen by lottery) -reorganized assembly to 500 members -reorganized court system

What were the opposing schools of political thought in Athens during the 5th century? Who won out?

Conservatives: -wanted more rights for property owners -Pro-Spartan foreign policy -led by Cimon Liberals: -wanted democracy for all citizens -sever ties w/ Sparta to expand Athenian power Liberals won out

The largest island near the Greek mainland is ....

Crete

What was the Peloponnesian War? Who fought whom? Who won? Why? How long did it last? Where was the deciding blow?

Delian League vs. Peloponnesian Leagues (Athens vs. Sparta) -Sparta won because of powerful army -lasted 29 years -deciding blow= in Syracuse

What was the Delian League? When was it created and why?

Delian League: Defense mainly provided by Athenian navy -Created in 477 BCE to defend Athens and other poleis against another Persian invasion

Describe the difference between the 3 types of Greek columns.

Doric- most plain Ionic- famous for its scrolls (Princess Leia) Corinthian- very fancy

What's the deal with Sparta? Where did they live? Describe their type of government?

Extended control over Peloponnesus Dual King System: -Hereditary in nature -Came from two powerful families -Solely military and religious leaders -Governing body made up of 28 men (plus 2 kings)

Who was Thucydides? Why is he so important?

Greek historian; known for his book The History of the Peloponnesian War which details the war between Sparta and Athens in the 5th Century

The culture that spread to lands conquered by Alexander the Great was ...

Hellenism

What is a helot? What is their purpose? How did they help the Spartans?

Helot: agricultural servants of the Spartan state; free, but didn't have rights like actual citizens -helped the Spartans with agriculture (but could keep what they grew)

The empire of Alexander the Great reached from Greece and Egypt on the west to ______ on the East

Indus Valley

where did the Greeks 1st revolt? Was it successful?

Ionia; yes but only temporary

Who is credited for the foundation of militarism of Sparta?

Lycurgus

who led the Greeks at Marathon?

Militades

What is an Olympiad? How long are they?

Olympiad: time between the celebrations (4 years)

How could an Athenian protect against an ambitious politician?

Ostracism

What was the name of the alliance that Sparta was in?

Peloponnesian League

Who was the strongest enemy of the city-states by 500 BCE?

Persia

Who was Philip II of Macedon? When did he rule? How did he die?

Philip II of Macedon: ruled around the time of the Peloponnesian War -strengthens unity -stronger military (uses Phalanx- fighting unit) -defeats Greeks -Goal: Persians

What was one major contribution the ancient Greeks made to science?

Pi

What was one major contribution the ancient Greeks made to art?

Sculptures/ Columns

Where did Greek influence reach its greatest extent?

Seleucid realm

Who was Socrates? Why was he considered a threat to the Athenians? How did he die?

Socrates: famous teacher in Athens at the time who taught by asking questions (socratic method) and was accused of corrupting the youth and being anti-Athenian -died by being forced to commit suicide by drinking hemlock

What was one major contribution the ancient Greeks made to philosophy?

Socratic Seminar

Who was Solon? What were his reforms? Were they successful? How and for whom were these helpful

Solon: Athenian statesman, lawmaker, and poet. Reforms: -canceled land debts -outlawed selling self into slavery, free those who had -divided athenian citizens into four classes based on wealth -opened assembly to any citizens wealthy enough to devote -time to public affairs -encouraged trade, mostly through olives (successful for the Athenians citizens, not women/children/slaves/etc, because they gained greater democracy)

who won the Peloponnesian war?

Sparta

Why was there a strain between the rich and poor in 7th century Athens?

Strain caused by population growth and economic development -(rich get richer, poor stay poor)

What were top officials in Athens called?

Strategos

Why would Athens not let members leave the League?

The income from the states was great so if a state wanted to withdraw Athens would destroy their defenses

Who was the hero of the Athenian naval fleet during the Greco-Persian wars?

Themistocles

What was the purpose of the polis in Greek life?

To create a central meeting place for all major religious, political, and social activities

What was one major contribution the ancient Greeks made to drama?

Tragedies

Who was a citizen in the Greek polis? Who wasn't?

Was: male adults Wasn't: women, children, slaves

In Greece, the political unit of which people were citizens was

a city-state (polis)

What is a minotaur?

a monster, half-man, half-bull, that devoured sacrificial victims thrown into the Labyrinth -killed by Theseus

What was the initial purpose of the Olympics?

as a religious festival to honor Zeus

How and why did the existence of these two alliances (Spartans and Athenians) lead to war?

both wanted to dominate Greece and in order for both of the city-states to expand one had to give in

In a Greek city-state, citizens included ...

free, native-born men

How did the conquests of Alexander the Great spread Greek culture?

he brought Greek ideas/ideals with him as he conquered

The result of the Persian wars was ....

increased power and pride for Athens

The people of Sparta had the major objective of ....

keeping their city-state powerful

who led the Greeks at Thermopylae

king leonidas

What were some of the flaws with Athenian democracy?

only 10 percent of entire population could vote leaving minimum input from the public

In the religion of ancient Greece ....

people thought the gods were like humans in many ways

what did the Persians so after the first revolt?

sacked Miletus and re established control

who became the leader after the Marathon? Athens? Persia?

themistocles; xerxes

What is the difference between a tragedy and a comedy?

tragedies follow a general progression (strength ->pride-> committing sin->punishment by Gods) while a comedy makes fun of politics, people, ideas of the time (satire), etc.