Ancient Greek terms 3

Great Rhetra

"Great statement" issued by Delphi to Lycurgus that told him how to reform sparta, also refers to Spartan consitution as a whole Around 700 Lays out the Spartan dogma and gives divine credence to reforms

Hoi mesoi

"The middle", describes middle class Phalanx warfare in 6th century allowed this class to become dominant Hoi mesoi began to take power from Aristocrats as "hoplite culture" became prominent

Bacchiads

Aristocratic family that ruled Corinth, "royal clan" 7th&8th centuries Corinth Family that claimed descendance from legendary king, took control of Corinthian government, distributed magistrate positions amongst themselves

Kakoi vs Agathoi

Aristocrats referred to them selves as Agathoi (the good) and to lower classes as Kakoi (the bad) This trend was seen in Archaic Greece This type of aristocratic arrogance eventually led to pushback from "hoplite classes"

Xenophon

Athenian historian who wrote Spartan Constitution 5th century Lived in Athens, was exiled because he favored Spartans Spartan Constitution one of the fewmajor primary sources of history written about Spartan

Politai

Citizens of a polis Synoecism of Athens was done by 8th century Polis mentality of unity and cohesion was key in Archaic Age

Phalanx

Fighting style of Hoplites Appeared in 6th century Phalanx was key part of Thermopylae Phalanx mentality changed understanding of Time, Sophrosyne was now seen as most important trait

Oligarchy

Form of Government where power is held by rich few In 594, Solon tried to change gov't of Athens from Aristocracy to Oligarchy Oligarchies took some power away from aristocratic families and were slightly more democratic

Plutarch

Greek historian Lived around 1st century AD From boeotia Wrote comprehensive historys of Sparta; Sayings of Spartans and biography of Lycurgus

Ephors

Group of 5 Spartan magistrates established by Lycurgus Lycurgus' reforms were believed to have been around 700 Ephors were important check on the power of the kings

Hoplite

Heavily armored soldier with long spear, made up phalanx 6th century Was crucial in battle of thermopolyae Changed entire undestanding of Time and had major influence on Greek culture as a whole

Lycurgus

Legendary Spartan legislator Said to have instituted reforms around 700 Sparta Lycurgan reforms created Spartan dogma

Peloponnesian League

Military league of Peloponnesian states, with Sparta as head Established in 6th century Through force, Sparta compelled its neighbors to form this alliance to help them put down helots/fight Argos

Ethnos

Political structure, differed from Polis Archaic age Aetolia was ethnos Structure that consisted of large regional territory w/o urban center, occurred in archaic age but was more like Dark age Greek culture

Sparta

Powerful Greek Polis Battled at Thermopylae in 480 Located in Peloponnese Was one of the most important Greek poleis

Synoecism

Process by which every town and village of a demos accepted a single political center Synoecism of Athens was complete by end of 8th century This acceptance of centralized power allowed poleis to form

Laconia

Region in Peloponnese that made up Spartan Polis Spartans battled at Thermopylae in 480 Laconia synoecised to form Spartan polis

aristocracy

Rule by hereditary elite families Aristocratic abuses allowed Pisistratus to become tyrant in 561 Aristocracy was primary system of rule in most Greek states in early archaic ages, spurred by Aristocratic arrogance and belief in concept of Time

Artemis Orthia

Sanctuary to Artemis Orthia Major temple was built in 8th century Near SpartaCult to Artemis was the center of Spartan religious life

Perioikoi

Second class citizens in Laconia 8th century Members of towns nearby sparta, were expected to participate in warfare but were not part of Spartan way of life/had no role in goverance

Helot

Slave underclass in Sparta, outnumbered citizens 7 to 1 Around 700 Most helots were Messenian Entire Spartan political system was based on preventing Helot uprisings

Syssition

Spartan "dining group"Reforms of Lycurgus ooccurred around 700 Acceptance was major coming of age event, fostered loyalty among units in Army, "black broth" showed idea of austerity

Krypteia

Spartan "secret police" Established by Lycurgus in 7th century Were used to spy on helots and prevent uprisings

Homoioi

Spartan citizen men, means peers Around 700 Concept of mutual brotherhood and equality that defined lycurgan Spartan state

Gerousia

Spartan council of 28 elders Lycurgan reforms were established around 700 Gerousia held most of the real power, served for life and could make laws

Tyrtaeus

Spartan lyric poet 7th century Wrote poems about Spartan military tradition, came before culture was censored

Eunomia

Spartan name for their Dogma, means "lawful order" Lycurgus' reforms occurred in 7th century Sparta Law and organization were crucial to Spartan culture

Messenian Wars

Wars between Sparta and Messenia Around 700 Peloponesse Messenian defeat in these wars allowed creation of Helot class in Sparta