Context - Greece

Question 1

Athenian Empire

Answer 1

Begins to emerge in the 5th century BC – it is less of an empire and more of a military treaty akin to the Warsaw Pact. Athens much stronger militarily than the other powers and polis’ that are part of the ‘empire’. They tend to have control in the sense of political ideology that everyone follows and they collect tribute from some of the polities.

Question 2

Achaemenid Empire

Answer 2

The empire that is in East of Athens, stretching from Asia Minor to India. This is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic empire and they are core rivals of Athens. They are defeated in the Greco-Persian wars and the Achaemenid Empire ends after the conquest of Alexander the Great.

Question 3

Ionia

Answer 3

An Eastern polity that lies within Asia Minor. Is under the influence of the Persian empire and is the least ‘Greek’ of the polities. Is the most Persian. They often have allegiances with the Persians and the Athenians see them as somewhat of an other.

Question 4

Lydia

Answer 4

A kingdom within Asia minor that becomes absolved into the Achaemenid empire. In the 6th century BC becomes part of Achaemenid empire and is thus another constituent of the overall empire.

Question 5

Miletus

Answer 5

A polity that had fallen under Persian rule in 499BC. They were treated very harshly by Darius who tried to ensure that they never had any offspring again. Part of Ionia.

Question 6

Paros

Answer 6

An island that sided with the Persians in the Greco-Persian war. Eventually became a democracy after the Athenians realised it was an oligarchy and deposed the oligarchy.

Question 7

Lacedaemonia

Answer 7

Also known as Sparta. Around 650 BC, it rose to become the dominant military land-power in ancient Greece. Sparta was recognized as the leading force of the unified Greek military during the Greco-Persian Wars, in rivalry with the rising naval power of Athens. Sparta was the principal enemy of Athens during the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC), from which it emerged victorious after the Battle of Aegospotami. The city-state maintained its political independence until its forced integration into the Achaean League in 192 BC