Chris's State Cards

Question 1

When does Hellenic history officially begin?

Answer 1

776 BCE with the first Olympics.

Question 2

What was the role of an oecist in Greek colonization?

Answer 2

The oecist was the leader of a colony and often an outcast noble

Question 3

What was the first Greek colony in Italy?

Answer 3

Cumae (Cyme) though Pithecusae was the earliest attempt.

Question 4

Which city became the largest Greek colony in Sicily?

Answer 4

Syracuse founded by Corinth in 734 BCE.

Question 5

What was the only colony founded by the Spartans?

Answer 5

Taras (Tarentum) in 707 BCE.

Question 6

Who was the legendary creator of the Spartan constitution?

Answer 6

Lycurgus in 885 BCE.

Question 7

What was the major war fought by Sparta in the late 8th century BCE?

Answer 7

The war against Messenia.

Question 8

Who was the legendary Messenian hero?

Answer 8

Aristodemus who sacrificed his daughter to save Messenia

Question 9

What happened to the Messenians after their defeat?

Answer 9

They became helots a serf-like population forced to work for Sparta.

Question 10

Why did Sparta become a militarized society?

Answer 10

Fear of helot revolts led to a focus on military discipline.

Question 11

How was the Spartan government structured?

Answer 11

Two kings and five ephors

Question 12

What age did Spartan boys begin military training?

Answer 12

Seven years old.

Question 13

What rights did Spartan women have that were uncommon in other Greek city-states?

Answer 13

They could own property manage land

Question 14

What was the Peloponnesian League?

Answer 14

A military alliance led by Sparta to dominate the Peloponnesus.

Question 15

What led to the rise of tyrants in Greek city-states?

Answer 15

Oppression by aristocratic governments led to discontent and the rise of popular rulers (tyrants).

Question 16

Who was the first tyrant of Corinth?

Answer 16

Cypselus who overthrew the Bacchiad aristocracy around 650 BCE.

Question 17

Who succeeded Cypselus as ruler of Corinth?

Answer 17

His son Periander who ruled from circa 620 BCE.

Question 18

What was Corinth’s status under Periander?

Answer 18

Corinth became the dominant naval and commercial power in Greece.

Question 19

What region was Athens located in?

Answer 19

Attica.

Question 20

What was Synoecism in Athens?

Answer 20

The process of uniting multiple settlements into one political entity granting Athenian citizenship to all of Attica’s residents.

Question 21

Who attempted to establish tyranny in Athens in 632 BCE?

Answer 21

Cylon but he was defeated and killed.

Question 22

What was the significance of Draco’s law code in 621 BCE?

Answer 22

It was known for its harshness leading to the modern term Draconian laws.

Question 23

What major reform did Solon implement in 594-593 BCE?

Answer 23

Seisachtheia which canceled debt slavery.

Question 24

What were the political parties formed after Solon’s reforms?

Answer 24

The Plains (opposed democracy) and the Coast (supported democracy).

Question 25

Who became the first tyrant of Athens in 561 BCE?

Answer 25

Pisistratus.

Question 26

How did Pisistratus contribute to Athenian growth?

Answer 26

He gave land to the Hektemoroi (poor laborers) and expanded Athenian influence.

Question 27

Who assassinated Hipparchus in 514 BCE?

Answer 27

Harmodius and Aristogiton because Hipparchus had insulted Harmodius' sister.

Question 28

What reforms did Cleisthenes introduce in 508 BCE?

Answer 28

Reorganized Athens into 3 regions 30 trittyes

Question 29

Who seized the Persian throne after Cambyses died?

Answer 29

Darius I (the Great), leader of the king’s bodyguards.

Question 30

What Greek city-states aided the Ionian Revolt against Persia?

Answer 30

Athens and Eretria.

Question 31

What Persian city was sacked by Ionian rebels in 497 BCE?

Answer 31

Sardis, former Lydian capital.

Question 32

Who led the Persian forces to punish Athens in 490 BCE?

Answer 32

Datis, a general under Darius I.

Question 33

What famous Athenian runner sought Spartan aid before the Battle of Marathon?

Answer 33

Philippides (or Phidippides).

Question 34

What was the key Athenian tactic at the Battle of Marathon?

Answer 34

Weakened center, strengthened wings, leading to a Persian encirclement.

Question 35

How many Persian and Athenian casualties were there at Marathon?

Answer 35

6,400 Persians, 192 Athenians (and Plataeans).

Question 36

What was the significance of the victory at Marathon?

Answer 36

It showed Persia’s need for a larger invasion, boosted Athenian pride, and reinforced the power of the phalanx.

Question 37

What is ostracism, and who was the first person to be ostracized?

Answer 37

Exile by popular vote; first used against Hipparchus in 487 BCE.

Question 38

What naval innovation did Themistocles push for in 483 BCE?

Answer 38

Building 200 triremes using silver from Laurion mines.

Question 39

What does 'medizing' mean in the context of Greek-Persian conflicts?

Answer 39

Siding with the Persians.

Question 40

Where did the Greeks attempt their first naval defense against Persia in 480 BCE?

Answer 40

Artemisium.

Question 41

What was the significance of the Battle of Thermopylae?

Answer 41

300 Spartans and 1,100 allies delayed the Persians, showcasing Greek valor.

Question 42

Who betrayed the Greeks at Thermopylae?

Answer 42

Ephialtes, by revealing a hidden mountain pass.

Question 43

What Athenian leader interpreted the oracle’s advice about the 'wooden wall'?

Answer 43

Themistocles, urging reliance on the navy.

Question 44

What major naval battle in 480 BCE saved Greece?

Answer 44

Battle of Salamis.

Question 45

How did Themistocles trick the Persians before Salamis?

Answer 45

He sent false information to Xerxes, luring his navy into the straits.

Question 46

What was the final battle of the Persian Wars (479 BCE)?

Answer 46

Battle of Plataea, led by Spartan regent Pausanias.

Question 47

What was the purpose of the Delian League (477 BCE)?

Answer 47

To defend against future Persian invasions.

Question 48

Where was the Delian League’s treasury originally located?

Answer 48

Delos, later moved to Athens (454 BCE).

Question 49

What happened to Themistocles?

Answer 49

Ostracized in 472 BCE, fled to Persia, and died in Magnesia.

Question 50

What was the primary cause of the Peloponnesian War?

Answer 50

Tensions between Athens (Delian League) and Sparta (Peloponnesian League).

Question 51

Who wrote The History of the Peloponnesian War?

Answer 51

Thucydides, an Athenian historian.

Question 52

What event devastated Athens in 430 BCE?

Answer 52

A plague, killing ¼ of the population, including Pericles.

Question 53

Which city revolted against Athens in 428 BCE?

Answer 53

Mytilene; its men were sentenced to death, women and children to slavery.

Question 54

What battle in 425 BCE shocked Greece?

Answer 54

Battle of Sphacteria, where 100 Spartans surrendered.

Question 55

What major Athenian loss in 413 BCE doomed the war effort?

Answer 55

Sicilian Expedition; 45,000 Athenian soldiers lost.

Question 56

Who was blamed for the mutilation of the hermae statues?

Answer 56

Alcibiades, who later defected to Sparta.

Question 57

What was the outcome of the Battle of Aegospotami (405 BCE)?

Answer 57

Spartan victory, leading to Athens’ surrender.

Question 58

What government did Sparta impose on Athens in 404 BCE?

Answer 58

The Thirty Tyrants, an oligarchy.

Question 59

Who led the rebellion against the Thirty Tyrants?

Answer 59

Thrasybulus, restoring democracy.

Question 60

Who was Philip II of Macedonia’s most famous teacher?

Answer 60

Epaminondas of Thebes, who influenced his military tactics.

Question 61

What was the Peace of Philocrates (346 BCE)?

Answer 61

A treaty between Athens and Macedonia, ending a war but proving temporary.

Question 62

What battle made Philip II master of Greece in 338 BCE?

Answer 62

Battle of Chaeronea, where Alexander commanded the cavalry.

Question 63

What happened to Philip II in 336 BCE?

Answer 63

He was assassinated, and his son Alexander became king.

Question 64

What was Alexander’s first major victory over Persia?

Answer 64

Battle of Granicus (334 BCE).

Question 65

What did Alexander famously cut in 333 BCE?

Answer 65

The Gordian Knot, fulfilling a prophecy.

Question 66

Where did Alexander win a decisive victory over Darius III in 331 BCE?

Answer 66

Battle of Gaugamela.

Question 67

How did Darius III die?

Answer 67

Murdered by his general, Bessus.

Question 68

What city did Alexander found in Egypt?

Answer 68

Alexandria, in 332 BCE.

Question 69

What happened to Alexander’s horse, Bucephalus?

Answer 69

Died in India, leading to the founding of Bucephala.

Question 70

How old was Alexander when he died in 323 BCE?

Answer 70

33 years old.