Chapter 9: the 4th century BC changing ideas, continuing warfare Flashcards
A philosophical school founded by Plato in Athens around 387 BCE. It was one of the most famous schools of philosophy in ancient Greece, where Plato and his followers engaged in discussions about ethics, politics, and metaphysics.
Academy
A philosophical school founded by Aristotle in Athens around 336 BCE, shortly after Alexander the Great’s ascension. Aristotle taught and wrote on a wide range of subjects, and the Lyceum was known for its more empirical and scientific approach compared to Plato’s Academy.
Lyceum
An ancient Greek philosopher, a student of Socrates, and teacher of Aristotle. He is best known for his works on philosophy, political theory, and ethics, including the Republic, which outlines his vision of an ideal state and the role of justice in society.
Plato
A philosophical concept introduced by Plato. It posits that the physical world is not as real or as true as the unchanging, eternal world of “Forms” or “Ideas.” According to this theory, the things we experience in the material world are mere reflections or imperfect copies of these perfect Forms.
Theory of Forms
An ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, a student of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great. His works in logic, metaphysics, ethics, politics, and natural sciences laid the foundation for much of Western philosophy and science.
Aristotle
A monumental tomb, most famously the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, built for Mausolus, the ruler of Caria, by his wife Artemisia. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World due to its grandeur and architectural design.
Mausoleum
A philosophical dialogue by Plato, in which he outlines his vision of a just society, exploring themes of justice, the role of the philosopher-king, the nature of the soul, and the ideal organization of the state.
Republic, The
A short-lived oligarchic regime in Athens after the Peloponnesian War, installed in 404 BCE with the help of Sparta. It was known for its brutal rule and the execution or exile of many democratic leaders. It was eventually overthrown in 403 BCE, leading to the restoration of democracy.
30 Tyrants
A conflict fought between Sparta and an alliance of Thebes, Athens, Corinth, and Argos from 395–387 BCE. The war was sparked by tensions arising from Spartan domination after the Peloponnesian War and was a significant event in the Greek struggle for power.
Corinthian War
A famous hetaera (courtesan) in ancient Athens, whose story is partially preserved in a speech by the orator Apollodorus. She was known for her relationships with powerful men and her legal battles.
Neaera
An elite military unit of Thebes, made up of 150 pairs of male lovers, known for their loyalty to one another. The Sacred Band played a pivotal role in Theban victories, especially in the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE, where they helped defeat the Spartans.
Sacred Band
The popular courts in ancient Athens, where large juries of citizens (usually 500+) decided legal cases. These courts played an important role in Athenian democracy by giving citizens a direct role in the legal and political system.
Dicasteries
A Theban statesman and general, known for his role in the overthrow of the Spartan-dominated oligarchy in Thebes and his leadership in the battle of Leuctra, where the Thebans defeated the Spartans and shifted the balance of power in Greece.
Pelopidas
A military and political alliance formed by Athens in 378 BCE, aimed at countering Spartan power following the Peloponnesian War. It was similar to the Delian League but had less central control from Athens. The league was eventually weakened by internal conflict and external pressures.
Second Athenian League
A Theban general and statesman who played a central role in the defeat of Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE. His victory broke the Spartan military supremacy and established Thebes as a leading power in Greece for a brief period.
Epaminondas
