Chapter 5 (Ancient Greece) Flashcards
What was the geography like for Ancient Greece?
Greece was composed of around 2,000 islands.
The sea would shape Greek Civilization. The Mediterranean Sea encouraged travel and trade.
The various mountains divided the land into various regions (which is why Greece had so many city-states).
The lack of fertile land lead towards people having to live in small populations.
The moderate climate encouraged outdoor life.
Who were the Mycenaeans?
They were Indo-European people who settled in the Greek mainland around 2000 B.C.
Their main city was Mycenae, and they dominated Greece from 1600-1100 B.C.
In the Trojan War Epic, which three goddesses quarreled about who was the most beautiful? Furthermore, which one wins the competition?
Aphrodite’s, Athena, Hera.
Troy chooses Aphrodites.
In the Trojan War Epic, why do the Spartans attack Troy?
The Spartans King Menelaus’s wife Helen was taken away by Troy. As a result, the Spartans would go on to attack Troy to have Helen returned.
How did the Spartans break through the tall sturdy walls of Troy?
The Spartans left a large wooden horse where they hid inside. When the horse made it through the gates the next day the Spartans snuck out the next morning attacking Troy from he inside.
Who was Homer?
A blinds story teller who spoke of the legendary Epic of the Iliad.
Who were the Dorians?
They replaced the Mycenaens around 1200 B.C.
We know very little about them because they had no written records.
Why were myths created?
Greeks created myths to try to understand various mysteries of life.
How do Greek gods differ from the type of gods people believe in today?
The Greeks believed in multiple Gods. There gods, unlike the ones of the Abrahamic religions would interfere with human life on a regular basis. They would have intercourse with human beings, they would get jealous of each other, they would show emotions of hate and love.
What is a polis and an acropolis?
A polis is a city which has a population of under 10,000.
An acropolis is a larger city that is usually on top of a mountain surrounded by walls for protection.
What is a monarchy?
- Stated rule by a King
- Rule is hereditary
- Some rulers claim divine rights
- Practiced in Mycenae until 2000 BC
What is an aristocracy?
- State ruled by nobility
- Rule is hereditary and based on family ties, social rank and wealth.
- Social status and wealth support rulers authority.
- Practiced in Athens prior in 594B
What is an oligarchy?
- State ruled by a small group of citizens
- Rule is based on wealth or ability
- Ruling group controls military
- Practiced in Sparta by 500BC
What is a direct democracy?
- State ruled by citizens
- Rule is based on citizenship
- Majority rule decides vote
- Practice in Athens by 500BC
Define a sovereign or other ruler who uses power oppressively or unjustly.
A tyrant.
Who was Draco?
A nobleman who developed many legal codes for citizens.
What develops in Athens around 621 B.C.?
Democracy.
Although Athens was a “democracy”, many people did not have the right to participate in the decision making process.
In order to be part of the decision making process, one must be
- Native born
- Property owning
- Males
In Ancient Athens, which children received education.
The sons of rich and wealthy families.
What type of education did Athenian boys receive?
Logic and public speaking skills to help them in assemblies.
Physical/military training to help them prepare for battles.
What made Sparta unique from the rest of the Greek city-states?
- Very militaristic
- In an isolated location
Around 725 B.C. Sparta conquers Messenia, upon capturing them, the Messenians become _____, slaves.
Helots.
Describe Spartan government and society.
Four branches.
Three social classes;
- Citizens
- Free non-citizens
- Helots (slaves)
How did the Spartans have such a strong military?
The Spartans trained their boys from a young age.
At age 7 males were trained, and continued to trained until age 30.
They also were required to serve for their entire lives (until age 60).
They also held many values that would create a strong city-state. They valued strength, individuality and discipline over freedom.
How were Athenian women different from Spartan women?
The Spartan women were given some military training.
How did Spartans fight?
The Spartans used the formation known as the Phalanx.
They used bronze for their armor and would fight as a unit.
What triggered the Persian Wars?
When the Persians attacked Ionia, where Greeks lived.
How were Greek soldiers able to win at the Battle of Marathon?
They were skilled at fighting hand-to-hand.
The narrow passages left no choice, but the Persians to fight in close quarters. Something the Spartans were farm more skilled at.
Who was Pheidippides?
He was the soldier who ran to Athens following the victory at Marathon to announce Greek victory.
This run took around 25 miles long.
Legends say that he died after informing the city that Athens had won.
What is the relationship with running event, the marathon in the Olympics today and Ancient Greece?
Following the Battle of Marathon, legends say that Pheidippides (a Greek soldier) ran 25 miles to inform people in Athens about the news.
Later in 1908, the marathon was set at 25 miles, but extended to 26.2 miles because the English wanted the finish line to be in front of the Queen.
Since then, the marathon has always been 26.2 miles. Although not exact, loosely based on what Pheidippides ran over a thousand years ago.
What was the significance of the Battle of Thermoplylae?
It was a turning point in the Persian War.
Greece was split in regards to fight together or not, and the Persians were coming in with incredibly strong forces.
In the midst of all this, 300 Spartan soldiers laid their lives to stop the Persian army much larger than them in size for 3 full days. This news would spread across Greece and help unify the various city-states to fight together against the Persians.
