Class 1

Question 1

Minoan Civilization

Answer 1

3000-1380 BC

• Dates are not exact – based on archeology
• Bronze Age
• Society led by kings
• Society where women had important role
• Linear B - writing that represents sounds not letters (syllabic form of Greek)
• Crete

Question 2

Mycenaean Civilization

Answer 2

1600-1100 BC

• Came after the Minoans
• Trojan War (Homer’s Iliad)
• Disappear by 1100 for reasons that are unclear

Question 3

Homer

Answer 3

• A poet who wrote about the Greek attack on Troy
• The only source recording the Greek attack on Troy
• It is important to note that he was a poet and not a historian

Question 4

Iliad

Answer 4

• Written by Homer
• Tells famous story of the Trojan War
• Greek attack on Troy
• The story of a Trojan prince seducing Helen, the wife of the King of Sparta

Question 5

Dark Ages

Answer 5

1100-800 BC

- Called this because we don’t know anything about that time

Question 6

Renaissance/Great Awakening

Answer 6

800-600 BC

• Formation of urban centers (very small)
• Series of city-states independent of each other
• As the cities expand, no place to put people so they form colonies
• TB

Question 7

Polis

Answer 7

• the city-state/layout
• (these cities were self-governing and independent)
• Greek culture emerged from the Dark Age and entered a period of artistic and intellectual vitality

Question 8

Acropolis

Answer 8

• Built upon a hill
• The Acropolis contained the citadel for protection
• Had a statue of Athena

Question 9

Agora

Answer 9

• Located next to valley where people lived
• Government buildings and open spaces where people met
• Socrates approached people here

Question 10

Phalanx

Answer 10

• Military unit used in field
• Infantry unit of men with shields and spears, fighting in close quarters
• Had to be somebody of wealth to flight in a phalanx
• These soldiers were also political leaders
• Greeks often at war

Question 11

Agonistic/Olympic Games

Answer 11

• Founded in 776 BC
• First games held at Olympia and were dedicated to Zeus (games tied to religion from early on)
• Celebrated human perfection and heroism
• Originally just foot races and wrestling (but eventually added horse and chariot races, boxing, javelin, and more)

Question 12

Athens and Sparta

Answer 12

• Rivals
• Athens had more open space
• Sparta had more mountains (mountain people)
• Sparta had a severe, authoritarian government
• Athens practiced direct democracy
• Sparta was centered on warfare – women were respected for their ability to make strong son
• Athens participated in warfare, but also had intellectual, philosophical, and other pursuits

Question 13

Archons

Answer 13

• Elected officials

- Athens had 9 archons (no king, no hereditary rulers)

Question 14

Ecclesia

Answer 14

• “Counsel” in Greek
• Simply a group of people meeting together
• (evolves into a church term)

Question 15

Areopagus

Answer 15

• Counsel of older guys who guide younger guys in setting policy
• Made up of former Archons (former archons supporting current archons)

Question 16

Solon

Answer 16

• Archon in 594 BC
• Poet and statesman
• Known for his courage and compassion in Athens’ time of need
• Aware that the poor farmers could probably never repay their debts, he took the bold step of canceling all agricultural debts
• Known for making laws in a time of economic, political, and moral decline in Athens

Question 17

Ostracism

Answer 17

• In 487 BC, a man was expelled from Athens for 10 years by this process (this was the first time)
• Athens could vote once a year to expel any man whom they considered potentially dangerous

Question 18

Direct vs. Indirect Democracy

Answer 18

• Direct Democracy in Athens
• DD - represent yourself
• Must possess strong oratory skills (represent self in front of large group)
• In Athens, would go to local assembly (if man over 18) to discuss your issue
• ID - elect officials to represent you (America)

Question 19

Persian War

Answer 19

• 499, 490-472 BC
• Between Greek city-states and Persia
• 1st attack (499) - Persians went by sea, were defeated at Marathon (ran 26 miles to Athens to tell the news)
• 2nd attack (480) - 2 pronged attach from Sardis; Herodotus tells story–when Persians near, go to Oracle at Delphi who said to to behind wooden wall
• Athenians won – paved the way for the Age of Pericles
• Only accounts we have are from the Greeks

Question 20

Parthenon

Answer 20

• Sits on the acropolis in Athens

- Symbolized learning, democracy, and everything good

Question 21

Helots

Answer 21

• Enslaved Messenians
• Public slaves with no rights
• Worked the land owned by Spartan citizens
• Could not be bought and sold (like slaves in Greece)
• 6th-8th centuries BC