Unit 5: Archaic Greece and Sparta

Question 1

Archaic Age

Answer 1

Lasting from circa 800 BC to the second Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BC

Question 2

Gerousia

Answer 2

Council of Elders. Share judicial function with two kings. Consists of 28 men over the age of 60. They hold their title for life. Chosen by assembly. No bill could pass without approval from gerousia.

Question 3

Greek Colonies

Answer 3

The Greeks established Emporiae (trading posts) in new colonies.
Emigration from Aegean homelands from the mid-eighth century
A mother poleis (metropolis) had to find a site for its colony, obtain divine approval, choose a founder and find a sponsor.
The oikist leads the colony assigns kleroi (allotments) and established the city’s defenses and sanctuaries of the gods.
Remains linked to metropolis by cult and kinship.
*First immigration in the 8th century towards Italy and the western Mediterranean
*Second immigration in the 7th century towards the Black Sea and North Aegean.

Question 4

Greek Homosexuality

Answer 4

Homosexual relationships were considered educational (were between an adult and a teenager).

Question 5

Helot

Answer 5

• To ensure control, inhabitants were reduced to “helot” status (subjects of the State)
• When tensions grew with Athens the Spartans would allow helots to do military service.
• Helots belong to the state, not to individuals.
• The Spartans were highly reliant on helots to provide them with sustenance and as war-slaves.
• The krypteia were hired to spy on helots and kill any of them who might rebel.
• The ephors had power to declare war against these helots yearly without any risk of religious pollution that would normally come from homicide.

Question 6

Hoplite

Answer 6

The hoplite foot soldier who fought as part of a unit.
Emerged in the Middle of the seventh century
Can only be destroyed by an opposing phalanx of hoplites.
Citizen soldiers fighting for their polis. Farmers, tradesmen…
Provide their own armour and weapons (spear, sword, hoplon shield and heavy armour) protect each other with shield formation.

Question 7

Panhellenic Institutions

Answer 7

Colonization created a sense of Greekness, spread art, ideas, monuments, Panhellenic institutions (Delphic oracle, Olympic Games), religion, language, etc.

Question 8

Polis

Answer 8

Developed during 8th century BC
City-state government began to develop in the 8th century and matured by the 7-6th centuries.
By 700BC the City-State (Polis) replaced the old chieftain system.

Question 9

Sparta

Answer 9

Patriarchal, polytheistic, and reliant on servile labour.
Their economy is based on agriculture.
Revered law and martial valor.
Invasive role of the state in the daily lives of Spartans.
Denial of individuality and a great sense of patriotism.

Question 10

Syssition

Answer 10

Dining group of about 15 members of a man’s army group
Fosters loyalty and cooperativeness essential for successful hoplite warfare.
Drink in moderation compared to typical Greek symposia
Helots were drunken consuming undiluted wine to perform for the Spartans

Question 11

Tyrant

Answer 11

Emerge between 670-500BC
Tyrant in Ancient Greece was a ruler who gained dictatorship through the unrest of people.
Gained support from those frustrated by the disruptive factions among the aristocrats or from those who felt that the aristocratic oligarchy was unresponsive to their needs.
Appealed to demos for support promising to improve their situations.

Tyrants are an important transition from oligarchy (rule of the best) to democracy (rule by the people)

Tyrants took power with the help of the people (farmer hoplites) and armed followers (sometimes other aristocrats)
Tyrants often favour the poor over the rich confiscating the land of the wealthy and redistributing it.
They made laws that limited aristocratic privilege
Initiated construction of temples, harbors, forts, improvements to water supply, drainage system, etc. providing work for the poor.