HIST-1200 Flashcards
Minoa
The civilization that inhabited Crete and the surrounding islands which name was derived from the legendary King Minos, from ca. 3000 - about 1380 BC.
Mycenae
The people who inhabited Greece and called themselves “Hellenes” from ca. 1600-1100 BC
Polis
A city in classical Greece that was also an independent state, and which didn’t share citizenship with any other state.
The First Persian War
After Athens aided the Greeks in Ionia revolt against the Persians from 499-493 BC, in which the city of Sardis was burned, King Darius sent his fleet to Athens and was defeated.
The Second Persian War
The son of Darius, Xerxes, wished to avenge his father’s defeat, and invaded Greece again from 480-479 BC. After initially being defeated by the Spartans at Thermopylae, the Persian army was defeated in full during a naval battle against heavier Greek ships.
The Peloponnesian War
Sparta and its allies fought against Athens from 431-404 BC, ultimately leading to Athens defeat.
Macedonia
A kingdom in northern Greece, extending their territory into central Greece after the weakening of the Greek states after their wars.
King Philip II
Ruled over Macedonia from 359-336, expanded the territory into central Greece with the defeat of Athens.
Alexander the Great
Alexander III, son of Philip II, ruled over Macedonia from 336-323 BC. Expanded territory into Persia.
Herodotus
Known as the “father of history,” asked the question “why do events happen.”
Thucydides
Officer during the Peloponnesian War, he attempted to write the history of the war, but died seven years before it ended.
Julius Caesar
Lived from 100-44 BC. Combined with Pompey and Crassus to form the First Triumverate. Was conspired against and crossed the Rubicon River south with his army to take Rome and rule as dictator. Stabbed to death by two of his lieutenants, Brutus and Cassius on the “Ides of March,” March 15, 44 BC.
Marc Antony
Follower of Julius Caesar, helped form the Second Triumverate with Octavian and Lepidus. Had a romance with Cleopatra VII of Egypt, and after being accused of trying to take control by Octavian and was defeated in battle by him, they both took their own lives.
Octavian
Grandnephew of Julius Caesar, Octavian formed the Second Triumverate with Marc Antony and Lepidus, eventually took control and became Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome, from 27 BC to 14 AD.
Romulous
Mythical founder of Rome, after contested against and killed his brother Remus. He is also known for leading a raid against a neighbouring tribe called the Sabines, capturing and raping thirty of their women.
Visigoths
Fleeing their land due to Hunnish raids, the emperor Valens agreed to let them settle south of the Danube and admit them into the Roman Empire. After being treated poorly, they rose up and defeated the Roman army with their superior mounted troops and then went on to sack Rome itself, the first time in 800 years a foreign army had occupied it.
Attila the Hun
The scourge of God, united the Mongolian people and was forced to invade Europe because of climate change in Asia.
Joan of Arc
Believing she was instructed by heaven to rescue France in 1429, she convinced the Dauphin to give her command of the army and marched to Orleans to raise the English siege. Captured by the Burgundians in 1430 and handed over to the English, she was burned at the steak on charges of witchcraft and heresy.
Dante
Medieval author, lived from 1265-1321, exiled from Florence for political reasons in 1302. Most well known for writing The Divine Comedy.
Medici
Ruled Florence off and on in the 15th and 16th centuries. A banking family that gained control of the city’s government.
Michelangelo
An artist who lived from 1475 to 1564, he is known for such works as his painting The Creation of Man and his sculpture of David.
Martin Luther
Lived from 1483 to 1546, was going to be a lawyer but after being knocked to the ground by lightning, chose to become a monk instead. After his Experience in the Tower, he began to protest the Catholic church’s absolution as the way to achieve salvation, which brought about the Protestant reformation.
Henry VIII
King of England, wanted to divorce his wife Catherine of Aragon. Pope said no, he was convinced but Thomas Cromwell to split from the Catholic Church and declare himself head of the Church of England. Got his divorce.
Christopher Columbus
Sailed across the Atlantic in 1492 looking for Asia, but instead found the Caribbean islands.
