Classical Greece Flashcards
Information on the Classical period in Greece comes to us from different types of sources. To a large extent, however, we must rely on a number of historiographers (historians). Name at least two important historiographers for the period in question. When did they live (approximately), and to which eras and events are their writings significant? What is problematic about this situation in terms of our understanding of the Classical period?
- Herodotus (485-425): main source for everything before 430 in Greece and far beyond, including the Persian Wars (p.147). Lengthy prose account of the Greco-Persian Wars as well as of the events leading up to them namely the rise of the Persian empire. He also recorded the customs, traditions and histories of many different peoples and states in Asia that the Persians subdued, and of the foremost Greek city states
said he researched but he liked stories his reliability is questionable - Influenced by homer focused on heroic deeds
- Thucydides (460-400): Peloponnesian Wars (431-404) (p.148). Described it as the fiercest war ever fought in Greek history
- Xenophon (420-355): final years of the Peloponnesian Wars and fourth-century history (NB book barely mentions him).
- Problematic: in addition to imperfections in the personal working method we have hardly any information about the various authors and their informants independent confirmation of the stories being told.
Moreover, they write about events that occurred much earlier took place (this applies especially to Herodotus). - Greek historiography had been a form of literary art, written in carefully moulded prose.
The Athenian state is regarded as the first historical example of a democracy. However, compared to our modern democracies, there were important exceptions to this ‘rule by the people’. Which social groups were excluded from it? And what additional restrictions applied to them?
- Metoiken (immigrants; p. 135): had no citizenship rights, but were obliged to
pay taxes and serve in the military. - Slaves (p. 135-136): very large part of the population. Had none personal freedom but could sometimes buy their freedom or be released.
- Women (p. 136-137): were also not seen as ‘capable of acting’: the husband represented them in everything (judiciary, politics, economics).It is important that this image is increasingly being called into question more the work of Josine Blok.
-Also mention that slavery continued in many Western countries until well into the nineteenth century century, and women’s suffrage is often of a much later date (Netherlands 1919, Australia 1962)! Immigrants also do not have the right to vote in the Netherlands (except for EU immigrants in the municipal council). - Metics/ Perioikoi, Under 30 year olds, Wealth based restictions
Why were the Greco-Persian Wars fought? Within those wars, which separate conflicts can be distinguished? Why were these conflicts important?
-To keep Greek independence from the Persians
- Ionian revolt 499-494 bce beginning of conflict where Greek cities in Asia Minor revolted against Persian rule which was supported by Athens and Eretria Persians retaliated
- First Persian invasion against the Greeks 492- 490 Darius I wanted to punish A+E for involvement which caused the battle of Marathon 490 where the Greek won again Miltiades
- Second Persian invasion 480-479 Xerxes launched the battle of Thermopylae, Salamis and Platea. Athens and Sparta form Hellenic League
- Significant for conserving Greece, helping develop Athens but also mistrust between the city-states
During the Classical period, the Greek city we know the most about—Athens— experienced a time of prosperity and a time of decline. Create an overview in which you indicate the major characteristics of both its prosperity and decline, along with potential historical factors for each.
Prosperity:
-Intellectuals like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
-Maritime empire
-Direct Democracy
Factors for Prosperity:
- Leadership of Pericles
-Wealth ie from Delian League to fuel culture and military
Decline:
-Peloponnesian war 431-404 bce
-Plague
-Oligarchic rule
-Loss of maritime empire
Characteristic Bloom (highlight 446-431)
•Delian-Attic Sea Alliance = money flows to Athens
•Democracy
•Philosophy
•Drama
•Architecture (e.g. Acropolis).
Characteristics decline (431-323)
•Delian-Attic union dissolved at the end of the fifth century.
•Athens male population declines from 50,000 to
25,000 between 432-400
•Long walls are demolished.
Possible historical factors Bloom
Military hegemony through victory in the Persian Wars Made possible by building up the fleet by Themistocles
Stagnation in Sparta due to low birth rates and
relegation of second class citizens
Important trade network, control of the
supply of goods from Thrace and the Black Sea
region.
Silver mines of Laurion
Historical Factors decline
Peloponnesian Wars
Cause of problems with allies Corinth and Megara Athenian fleet defeated at Aigospotamoi in 405
Internal political struggle (oligarchic coup)
Plague epidemic
Political intrigues of the Persians (divide and rule technique)
Rise of Thebes in fourth century.
Rebellion allies in 357-355
Rise of Macedonia
Define Delian League
The Delian League was formed by Athens in 477 BC against Persia, which included Greek Islands, Greeks on the west coast of Asia Minor and other Greek cities and mostly contributed financially. It was not dissolved in 446 BC when hostilities against Persia ended. Instead, Athens used it for power politics, particularly when Pericles was the leading politician. The league was used for colonisation and to meddle in members’ internal affairs. It ended in 404 BC during the Peloponnesian wars.
Define polis
A polis translates to “city-state,” but in Ancient Greece, a polis was a political and social unit too. A typical one comprised of a relatively small territory and an administrative centre, usually urban, which contained the chief sanctuary and a meeting place. More important than the city was the ‘citizens’, the politai. The polis was the community of the politai. Greek authors speak of ‘the Athenians’ rather than of ‘Athens’. The first poleis appeared in the late Bronze Age in Greece, around 1200 BC.
Define Parthenon
The Parthenon is a renowned ancient Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, located on the Acropolis in Athens. It was built in the mid-5th century BCE. It exemplifies Doric architecture and is celebrated for its aesthetic perfection and symbolic significance in Greek culture. The Parthenon is often regarded as a monument to democracy, which was founded in Athens during this period, as well as a tribute to the Athenians’ victory in the Greco-Persian Wars (492–449 BCE).
Define Demosthenes
Demosthenes, who was born in 384 BCE and died in 322, was an Athenian statesman. He was recognised as the greatest of ancient Greek orators, who roused Athens to oppose Philip of Macedon and, later, his son Alexander the Great because Demosthenes wanted Athens to remain entirely independent and to retain all her power. His speeches provide valuable information on the political, social, and economic life of 4th-century Athens.
Define Peloponnesian war
A protracted conflict (431-421 then 413-404 BCE) Athens and Sparta, this war was fueled by power struggles, differing political ideologies, and territorial ambitions. It ultimately led to Athens’ defeat, marking the decline of Athenian dominance in ancient Greece.
Define sophists
In the second half of the fifth century and in the early fourth century, Sophists were itinerant teachers who gave paid lessons in rhetoric. Eloquence was a great advantage in democracy, celebrations, and other public events. Athens became one of the most important centres of their activities. Here, they found a wealthy public for whom eloquence was of the greatest importance. The sophists’ lessons gave rich young men who could afford to pay for this form of education a competitive edge in democratic politics.
‘‘The Thirty’s” rule of terror over Athens; civil war; reestablishment of democracy
404-3: The eight-month period following the end of the Peloponnesian War when Athens was ruled by a pro-Spartan oligarchy known as “The Thirty Tyrants.” Their rule was characterized by brutal repression and purges. In 403 BCE, opposition and civil war led to the overthrow of The Thirty, and democracy was reestablished with the help of figures like Thrasybulus. This marked the return to democratic governance and reconciliation after a dark period of authoritarian rule.
Battle of Marathon
490: In Attica the Persians were defeated by the Athenian hoplites and a small contingent of hoplites from neighbouring Plataea under the command of Miltiades (490). This battle won Athens fame throughout the entire Greek world. Persians attacked because In 499 bc the Greeks of Asia Minor tried to depose their tyrants and break away from the Persians and Athens had sent a small fleet to assist the rebels.
Battles of Thermopylae and Salamis
Thermopylae 480: Spartans were defeated but held of the Persians for three days which allowed Athens to be evacuated
Salamis 480: Persians defeated in navy battle narrow waters Persian ships had difficulty manoeuvring. The Greek commander was Themistocles.
Battle of Plataeae
479: Xeres had left but his general Mardonius remained in Northern Greece to fight. Crushing vicotry for Greeks
Socrates’ death
399: Charged with impiety (disrespecting the gods of the city) and corruption of youth Athenians themselves wanted Socrates to stand trial, and it was the Athenian democratic system that condemned him to death saw him as a cause of losing Peloponnesian war
