Summaries Flashcards
What is the Neolithic Revolution?
Transition from hunter-gatherer societies to farming and settled life.
Increased food security, population growth, and emergence of permanent villages.
When did the Neolithic Revolution occur?
Approximately 7000 - 3000 BC.
Where did the Neolithic Revolution take place?
Mainland Greece, Thessaly (Sesklo, Dimini), Aegean Islands.
What artifacts are associated with the Neolithic period?
Sesklo & Dimini settlements, Franchthi Cave evidence of early farming and obsidian trade.
What technologies were developed during the Neolithic period?
Pottery for food storage, polished stone tools, first woven textiles.
What significant development occurred in the Early Bronze Age?
Metallurgy: Copper + Tin = Bronze tools & weapons.
What cultures emerged during the Early Bronze Age?
Cycladic, Minoan, and Mycenaean cultures.
Where was the Minoan Civilization located?
Crete.
What type of government did the Minoan Civilization have?
Palace-centered redistributive economy.
What writing system did the Minoans use?
Linear A (undeciphered).
What was a key aspect of Minoan religion?
Matriarchal, Great Goddess worship, bull-leaping rituals.
What was the economy of the Minoan Civilization based on?
Maritime trade powerhouse, exporting olive oil, wine, textiles, and pottery.
What are some notable Minoan artworks?
Frescoes such as Dolphin Fresco and Prince of Lilies.
What caused the collapse of the Minoan Civilization?
Likely Mycenaean conquest and the eruption of Thera (~1628 BC).
Where was the Mycenaean Civilization located?
Mainland Greece (Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos).
What type of government did the Mycenaean Civilization have?
Centralized wanax (king) and lawagetas (military leader).
What writing system did the Mycenaeans use?
Linear B (earliest Greek script, deciphered).
What was the economy of the Mycenaean Civilization based on?
Palace-controlled taxation and extensive bronze weapon production.
What was a significant event described in the Mycenaean period?
The Trojan War, described in Homer’s Iliad.
What caused the Bronze Age Collapse?
Invasions (Sea Peoples), internal conflicts, and earthquakes.
What happened during the Iron Age (Dark Age)?
Mycenaean collapse led to poverty, depopulation, and loss of writing.
What technological advancement occurred in the Iron Age?
Iron tools replaced bronze, being stronger and cheaper.
What significant development occurred around 800 BC?
Emergence of Polis (city-states).
What major literary works did Homer compose?
Iliad & Odyssey around 750 BC.
What was Draco’s Law Code?
First written laws in Athens, known for being extremely harsh.
What were Solon’s Reforms?
Abolished debt slavery and restructured the class system in Athens.
What did Cleisthenes introduce?
Democracy, including ostracism and the Council of 500.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Marathon?
Athens won using a flanking strategy against the Persians.
What was significant about the Battle of Thermopylae?
Spartan King Leonidas led 300 Spartans; Persians won but suffered huge losses.
What was the turning point of the Persian Wars?
The Battle of Salamis, where the Greek navy trapped the Persian fleet.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Plataea?
Greeks defeated the remaining Persian forces, ending the invasion.
What political structure evolved in Athens?
Monarchy → Oligarchy → Tyranny → Democracy (Cleisthenes, 508 BC).
What was the political structure of Sparta?
Dual kingship, Gerousia (Council of Elders), Ephors (5 magistrates).
What rights did Spartan women have?
Owned land and trained physically.
What was the status of Athenian women?
Had no political rights and were restricted to domestic roles.
What was the economic activity of the Minoans?
Maritime traders between Crete, Egypt, and the Levant.
What was the economic activity of the Mycenaeans?
Palace-controlled taxation and exports of olive oil and pottery.
What was introduced around 600 BC in Archaic Greece?
Coinage, originating from Lydia to Athens.
What was the Hoplite Phalanx?
A tight formation used in heavy shield-wall combat.
What type of warships dominated the Persian Wars?
Triremes, warships with three banks of oars.
What were the Panhellenic Institutions?
Olympic Games (founded 776 BC) and the Delphic Oracle.
What styles of Greek pottery emerged?
Geometric (900 BC), Black-Figure (700 BC), Red-Figure (600 BC).
What architectural styles were prominent in ancient Greece?
Doric and Ionic Temples, such as the Parthenon and Temple of Hera.
