Greek test Flashcards
Athens
a city-state that pioneered democracy in Ancient Greece
Tyrant
In ancient Greece, a ruler who gained power by force
Legislature
The law making body of government
Shrine
Altar, chapel, or other sacred place
Citizen
A native or resident of a town or vilage
Monarchy
Government in which a king or queen exercises central power
Polis
Greek term for a city-state in ancient Greece
Acropolis
Highest and most fortified point in a Greek city-state
Aristocracy
Government headed by a hereditary land owning class
Phalanx
A massive tactical formation of heavily armed soldiers
Sparta
A Greek city-state that emphasized a militaristic society
Democracy
Government in which the people hold the ruling power
Oligarchy
Government in which the ruling power belongs to a few
Trojan War
A 10 year war between Mycenae and the city of Troy
Alliance
Formal agreement between 2 or more nations or powers to cooperate and come to one another defenses
Direct democracy
Citizens take part directly in day to day affairs of government
Stipend
Fixed salary, to men who participated in the assembly and its government council.
Jury
A panel of citizens who have the authority to make the final judgement in a trial
Ostracism
The person with the largest number of votes cast against him would live outside the city for 10 years.
What is the name for Sparta’s system of government?
Dual Monarchy
What is the name of the Athenian system of government?
Democracy
List two reforms made by the Athenian reformer Solon?
- He freed in debt slaves
2. He freed in debt slaves sold overseas
What are two reforms made by Athenian reformer Pisistratus?
- He rebuilt parts of Athens destroyed by Persia
2. Reduced taxes from 20% to 10%
What caused Sparta to develop into a militaristic society?
They needed to be sure that if there was another revolt that Sparta wouldn’t be destroyed and that they would have enough soldiers in numbers to stop the revolt
Describe the most important role for a Spartan Women
To make strong babies, to become warriors.
Why did merchants and poor people often support Athenian tyrants?
The tyrants promised them things like freedom, or freed from being in debt
Explain how geography influenced the rise of small city-states in Greece
Valleys, seas, and mountains separated small city-states
What was the main cause of the Persian Wars?
Persia took over city-states in Ionian, and the Athens and Eritrea helped out with the rebellion, causing a war with Persia.
Battle of Marathon?
In the battle of Marathon it was 10,000 Greeks against the Persian army. The Persians greatly outnumbered the Greeks, but luckily Miltiades knew the terrain. Miltiades took his men into a small mountain pass and continued to battle. Miltiades put most of his men on the wings of the formation, and let a weak center. When his men took out the outsides of the Persian army, they pushed them all to the middle and took out Xerxes army. They then sent a soldier to tell everyone the great news, he arrived, yelled NIKE (victory) and dropped dead. Persians died-6,000 Athens died-192
Battle of Thermopylae
In the battle of Thermopylae the Greeks were out numbered yet again, so they went in the Thermopylae (5 mile wide) pass and fought. On the 3rd day of fighting a Greek man told the Persians there was a passage to defeat the Greeks when Leonidas heard about this, he sent all non-Spartans away but 1,000 soldiers, 300 Spartans stayed. Sadly the Greeks lost the battle.
Battle of Salamis
Themistocles started the war at Salamis, he wanted the battle at Salamis to stop commanders from leaving without permission. When Themistocles sent a slave to tell Xerxes about Sparta at Salmon, Xerxes took the bait, and waited in the Salamis all night. The Greeks then surrounded the Persians and used underwater rams to sink the fleet. The Greeks lost 40 ships, the Persians lost 20,000 men.
What was the purpose of the Dalian League who led it?
the Dalian league was made to protect Greece from Invasion of Persia. Athens led it.
What job did the Persian General Mardonius give to the king of Macedon?
He dispatched the king of Macedon, and told him to persuade the Athenians to make an alliance with Persia.
If the Athenians joined an alliance with Persia what could they expect to gain? if they did not?
If joined they could have whatever land in Greece they desired to rebuild Athens. If not Persians would single them out at war.
Summarize the message sent from the Athenians to the king of Macedon
The Athenians said they would never join the Persians because it was unholy.
What motives do the Athenians say make it impossible that they would join alliance with Persia
The Persians were burning there temples, and the image of their gods.
What happened to Athens once thy again turned down alliance with Persia?
The Persians burned Athens once again
What did Olympius fear the most about Philip II taking a new bride?
She was afraid if he had a son with the new bride, he would take Alexander’s place.
After conquering the Greeks, who does Alexander set his sights on?
Persia
What would happen to the individual who was able to untie the Gordian knot? How does Alexander “undo” this knot?
They would become lord of Asia, Alexander cuts the know with his sword.
What strategy does Darius’ advisor tell him to follow after Alexander wins three consecutive battles?
Avoid battle and retreat, destroy food, burn crops- this is called the scorched Earth method
What does Darius offer to Alexander if he will stop his expansion?
He would give him money, half of his empire, and daughters hand in marriage.
What stops Alexander from pursuing Darius as he Fled?
His troops were failing, and needed his help
After conquering Persia, why did Alexander continue marching eastward?
He conquered the rest of the Persian empire to do things never done befre
How could one consider Alexander immortal?
He made history, combined eastern and western cultures
How did the Persian Wars Begin?
The Persians conquered city-states like Ionia in Asia Minor, and they revolted against the Persians.
Summarize the events of the Battle of Marathon
The Persian army landed near Marathon, and the Athenians asked for help from nearby city-states. The Persians outnumbered the Athenians, but the Athenians used hand to hand combat, and Persians retreated to ships.
What did Themistocles want Greeks to do after the Battle of Marathon? why?
He wanted to build a fleet of warships and prepare other defenses
What happened to Athens after the Battle of Thermopylae? Why was there no one there?
The Persians marched south to burn Athens but nobody was in the city, Athens had already fled to safety.
Outline the events of the Battle of Salamis
The Athenians lured the Persian nay into the narrow strait of salamis, and the Athenian ships drove into the Persians, and their fleet sank.
What was the Delian League and who dominated it? How would they obtain cooperation?
For Persia to stay the most powerful city-state it had to make alliances, these alliances were called the Delian League.
From what years and under whom did Athens see its “golden age”
Pericles created the golden age when he had skillful leadership, thriving economy, and democratic government.
What is the difference between a direct democracy and an indirect democracy
In a direct democracy people take part in day to day affairs, in indirect democracy they elected government leaders.
What was significant about Pericles issuing a stipend to members of government?
The stipend enabled poor men to serve in government
Explain the make-up of the Athenian jury and how long citizens would serve.
Juries were large to prevent corruption, it was usually made up of hundreds, or thousands of jurors. These citizens were over 30 years of age, and would serve for a year.
In what specific ways did Pericles turn Athens into a cultural center of Greece?
-He had skillful leadership, thriving economy, and a big government.
What two options do the Athenians have when Persia lands its army on the beaches of Marathon?
- Hide behind city walls
2. Meet the Persians to fight