key periods in Greek history

Question 1

Bronze Age (c. 3000–1100 BCE)

Answer 1

(c. 3000–1100 BCE)

Early Greek civilization, including Minoans and Mycenaeans.
Ends with the collapse of Mycenaean society.

Question 2

Dark Age (c. 1100–800 BCE)

Answer 2

(c. 1100–800 BCE)

Decline in population, writing lost, little archaeological evidence.
Oral tradition preserves myths and legends.

Question 3

Greek Renaissance (c. 800–700 BCE)

Answer 3

(c. 800–700 BCE)

Writing returns (adaptation of the Phoenician alphabet).
Growth of city-states (poleis) and emergence of Homeric epics.

Question 4

Iliad Composed (c. 750–700 BCE)

Answer 4

(c. 750–700 BCE)

Attributed to Homer, written down during this period.
One of the foundational texts of Greek literature.

Question 5

Archaic Greece (c. 700–480 BCE)

Answer 5

(c. 700–480 BCE)

Expansion of trade, colonization, and political changes.
Development of hoplite warfare and early democracy.

Question 6

Persian Wars (499–479 BCE)

Answer 6

(499–479 BCE)

Greek city-states unite to resist Persian invasions.
Key battles: Marathon (490 BCE), Thermopylae and Salamis (480 BCE), Plataea (479 BCE).

Question 7

Imperial Athens / Classical Period (479–431 BCE)

Answer 7

(479–431 BCE)

Athenian Golden Age, led by Pericles.
Flourishing of democracy, drama, philosophy, and the Parthenon.

Question 8

Peloponnesian Wars (431–404 BCE)

Answer 8

(431–404 BCE)

Conflict between Athens and Sparta.
Ends with Athenian defeat and decline of Athenian power.

Question 9

Presocratics (599 - 400 BCE)

Answer 9

(599 - 400 BCE)

Early Greek philosophers like Thales, Heraclitus, and Pythagoras.
Focused on explaining the natural world without mythology.

Question 10

Socrates (469–399 BCE)

Answer 10

(469–399 BCE)

Famous Athenian philosopher, known for the Socratic method.
Executed in 399 BCE for corrupting the youth of Athens.

Question 11

Plato (c. 427–347 BCE)

Answer 11

(c. 427–347 BCE)

Student of Socrates, founded the Academy in Athens.
Developed the Theory of Forms and political philosophy.

Question 12

Aristotle (384–322 BCE)

Answer 12

(384–322 BCE)

Student of Plato, tutor to Alexander the Great.
Developed logic, ethics, and the concept of the “Golden Mean.”

Question 13

Rise of Macedon (359–336 BCE)

Answer 13

(359–336 BCE)

Philip II strengthens Macedon and conquers Greece.
Forms the Corinthian League to unify Greece.

Question 14

Alexander the Great (336–323 BCE)

Answer 14

(336–323 BCE)

Conquers Persia, Egypt, and extends Greek influence to India.
Dies in 323 BCE, leading to the division of his empire.

Question 15

Hellenistic Kingdoms (323–30 BCE)

Answer 15

(323–30 BCE)

Successor states form after Alexander’s death (Ptolemies, Seleucids, Antigonids).
Blend of Greek and Eastern cultures.

Question 16

Rise of Rome (c. 8th century BCE–146 BCE)

Answer 16

(c. 8th century BCE–146 BCE)

Rome begins as a small city-state and expands.
Conquers Greece in 146 BCE, ending Greek political independence.