Trace the development of the Persian Empire’s interaction with the Greek city-states Flashcards
What was the Greco-Persian War?
A conflict between Greek city-states and the Persian Empire.
Who was the main source for information on the Greco-Persian War?
Herodotus.
What did Darius do for Persia?
Made it the first and biggest empire, building forts and supplying depots in Thrace.
What was the strongest military unit of the Persian Empire?
Cavalry.
What was the strongest military unit of the Greeks?
Infantry.
What happened at the Battle of Marathon?
Greeks rebelled against Persia, surprising them and winning the battle, symbolizing freedom.
What was one reason Herodotus exaggerated the Greek victory at Marathon?
Xerxes was more concerned about revolts in Egypt and Babylon than Greece.
Who was the main source for the Peloponnesian War?
Thucydides.
Why was the Peloponnesian War unusual?
Athens was a naval power while Sparta was an army power, and Athens had funding while Sparta was broke.
What role did Persia play in the Peloponnesian War?
Persia bankrolled Sparta to weaken Greece.
Who was Alcibiades?
An Athenian general who acted traitorously but was not convicted.
What happened to Athen’s democracy during the war?
It was temporarily replaced by an oligarchy.
What occurred on the island of Samos?
Democracy prevailed against the 400 extremists.
What was the situation in Byzantium for Athens?
Athens’ treasury was empty, and locals refused to sell them food.
What was Sparta’s strategy in the Hellespont?
Sparta tried to control the narrow channel to attack Athenian ships.
What was the outcome of the Athenian victory at Cyzicus?
Sparta offered peace, but Athenians took control of their grain route.
What was a major disadvantage for Athens in the war?
They had enough ships but not enough rowers to man them.
What was significant about the Battle of Arginusae?
It was the largest Greek naval battle in history.
What did Athens do to fund new ships for the Battle of Arginusae?
Melted the statue of Nike.
What happened at the Battle of Aegospotami?
Sparta surprised attacked Athens, winning the war.
