social studies- Chapter 1- The Story of Ancient Greece Flashcards
democracy
a greek word meaning “rule by the people”
Describe the major geographical features of Greece
It is a mountainous peninsula in southeastern Europe that juts into the Mediterranean Sea.
It is the size of New York state- but its rocky coastline is over 2,000 miles long
There are many bays an harbors.
There are 2 main geographical areas: the southern part- called the Peloponnese (looks like a giant hand). It is connected to the northern part of Greece by a narrow strip of land- the Isthmus of Corinth.
What is Greece’s tallest mountain
Mount Olympus
What caused Greece’s hillsides to be more suitable for grazing sheep and goats than cultivating crops.
the hillsides were heavily forested- but the ancient people cut down the trees to build houses. The tree roots held the soil in place- but once they were gone, erosion depleted the land of the fertile top layer
Describe Greece’s climate
Winds from the Mediterranean Sea bring moderate rainfall during late fall and winter. They summers are hot and dry. Snowfall is rare- except in the high mountains.
How did the mountainous terrain influence the development of self-government in Greece
The mountains and seas formed barriers that made travel difficult and isolated communities. Each village had to depend on its own resources to survive. Hard work and cooperative efforts gave them a good living.
What led to the creation of the form of government called Democracy in Greece
When problems arose that affected the entire village, the different opinions of the leaders were all considered before a decision was agreed upon.
How did Greek curiosity lead to discovery
They studied the environment and were careful in their observation and experimentation. This led to discoveries in Math and Science. It also led to the creation of the study of History, Philosophy and Psychology
List some examples of Greek culture that we can see in our modern world
Theater- plays stories to read- epics and myths source of modern metaphors- like Achilles' heel and Pandora's box paintings, statues building design
What are 3 ways the Greeks have inspired the modern world (3 concepts that we still use)
Democracy
Theater
The Olympic Games
Name 4 reasons Greece is called the birthplace of western civilization
They had the first democratic government, first Olympic games, first to develop first major advances in Philosophy, Psychology, Theater and Literature
Why do historians group the isolated city-states of Ancient Greece into one civilization?
They spoke the same language, had similar customs, same style of religion and building styles.
