Last stand of the 300 Flashcards
What was the primary duty of Leonidas of Sparta
To stop the Persians at the Thermopylae pass
Why were babies with defects left to die in Sparta
Sparta was a warrior society; essential that babies were healthy to grow strong and fight; parents had no say
At what age dud Spartan boys begin training for the military
7-8; The age of reason; able to make decisions
What three things were young Spartan boys taught to at an early age in Sparta
toughness, discipline, and military skills
What was the purpose of whipping young spartan boys as part off their training
help them to learn how to ignore pain; not to pass out; more respected if you lasted longer
At around what age do Spartan boys learn to train with swords
13
As part of training boys had to kill a helot, but could not get caught, why?
had to be stealthy; learn evasion and secrecy
Tatam e epitatis-
with this shiled or upon it
“with this shield or upon it”
come head dead fighting, or come home with a victory
In what ways were women renowned for their physical strength in Sparta?
learn to fight, workout
what challenges did a spartan man face if trying to take a women by force
she can fight back; sometimes win
According to a greek spy about how many persian soldiers were being assembled
300,000
Where did the Greeks seek spiritual guidance or consolation of an oracle
Shrine or oracle at Delphi
Why was Leonidas only allowed to select a force of 300
The elders of Sparta didn’t agree with this mission; had to have sons to continue name
Make up of the persian army?
80% infantry 20 % cavalry
Infantry
foot soldiers
Cavalry
mounted soldiers; horses or vehicles
in what way was the Ionian revolt a significant development in Greek history
brought athenains and spartans together
What was the primary reason for DArius sending a fleet of 30,00 men across the Aegean to defeat Athens
becasue The Athenians burned saridus (whatever it is) to the ground; Darius wanted revenge
Why did the Greeks choose to meet the Persians at a mountain pass (thermopylae)
Because it was narrow; the persinas could not use large force to their advantage; couldnt use cavalry
What was the standard fighting formation of the Spartan army
Pahlinx
Why were heavily armed infantrymen known as hplites
because they carried shields called hoplon; would draw designs on them
Corinthian helmet
made out of one sheet of bronze only had eye holes; hard to see weighed 10 pounds no ear holes was effective
Dory
6-9 ft spear; primary weapon
one side sharp the other blunt
Xiphos
secondary weapon; lost spear or broken spear
sword 2-3 ft
Themistocles
Athenian naval commander; somewhat credited for battle plane
responsible for holding off persian fleet at Artimesian straight; also for defeating them
how did Thermistocles get his nsvy
lied to his people that they were going to be attacked by a nearby island; they believed him
How did the greeks and persians sink eachotehrs ships
battering rams; made out of bronze
speed had to be “just right”
Trireme
athenian warship, made of pine, light, for speed and ramming, powered by 170-2– oarsmen
How are 200 PRsians warships lost teh day before they were supposed ot battle the Greek navy at Euboia
got caught in the storm and sank them
WHy the persian spears innefective
made of wood; easily pierced by spartan dory’s
How does Xerces find out about the mountain passs to use to surprise attack the Spartans
spy
Why did Phocians, the greek force of 100 men assigned by Leonidas guard the mountain pass, rettreat
phoecians retreated to protect their families
After Leonidas dies n battle, what does Xerces order of LEonidas body
put head on a stake
HOw many spartans survived
0
What does Xerces do to the city of athens
is burned
In revenge for athens…
The greeks lure persians to Salamis to kill them
The perrsian wars began an era of Greek?
Greek: 1. identifying themselves as Greeks, 2. fighting together
THe legacy of the persian wars between persia and greece was significant because
it preserved democracy
