CLSC Final Review Combined Set

What defines the Hellenistic world?

Monarchies, mercenaries, mobility, cultural mixing

What is a federal league?

A group of poleis sharing institutions and citizenship

What is the mercenary explosion?

Massive increase in professional soldiers after the 4th c.

What was Philip II's major contribution?

Building a professional Macedonian state and army

What makes Alexander unique?

Scale of conquest, leadership style, cultural fusion

Who are the Diadochi?

Alexander's successors competing for his empire

What is a stock character?

A recognizable personality type (e.g. grumpy father)

What is Menander's genre?

New Comedy (domestic, social)

What are the characteristics of Alexandrian poetry?

Learned, allusive, elite audience

What is the Epicurean goal?

Freedom from pain and fear

What is the Stoic ideal?

Virtue through reason

What is a Macedonian military innovation?

Sarissa phalanx + cavalry coordination

Why do monarchies thrive militarily?

Control of resources and standing armies

Why don't Greeks unite against Rome?

Rivalries, short-term gains, Roman diplomacy

Tragedy

A serious drama where noble characters face downfall due to a tragic flaw (hamartia), fate, or hubris (excessive pride).

Themes of Tragedy

Human suffering, justice, divine will, and moral responsibility.

Structure of Tragedy

Prologue → Episodes → Stasima (choral odes) → Exodus (ending).

Aeschylus

Father of tragedy, added a second actor; wrote The Oresteia trilogy.

Sophocles

Added a third actor, refined plot and character; wrote Oedipus Rex, Antigone.

Euripides

More psychological, critical of traditional religion; wrote Medea, The Bacchae.

Comedy

Humorous plays that mocked politics, culture, and society.

Old Comedy

Political satire; Aristophanes (Lysistrata, The Clouds) attacked figures like Socrates and leaders.

New Comedy

Domestic, romantic comedy (e.g., Menander).

Dramatic Irony

Audience knows something the character doesn't (Oedipus Rex).

Tragic Flaw (Hamartia)

A character's error or weakness leading to downfall.

Fourth Wall

The invisible barrier between audience and actors.

Stichomythia

Rapid dialogue exchange in verse, showing conflict/tension.

Deus ex machina

God from the machine; divine intervention resolving the plot suddenly.

Hubris

Arrogant pride against the gods leading to downfall.

Fate vs. Free Will

Can humans escape destiny?

Justice and the Polis

What does it mean to be moral in a city-state?

Pentekontaetia

Literally 'the fifty years' between the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars.

Delian League

Founded 478 BCE, led by Athens to defend against Persia.

Peloponnesian League

Led by Sparta, included oligarchic states like Corinth and Thebes.

Peloponnesian War

Tensions between Athens (imperialist democracy) and Sparta (militaristic oligarchy).

Pericles

Athenian statesman; promoted democracy and the Parthenon.

Socrates

Sought ethical truth through questioning (elenchus). Executed for impiety and corrupting youth.

Plato

Student of Socrates; founded the Academy and believed in Forms—perfect, eternal ideals beyond the material world.

Monarchy

Rule by one (kingship).

Democracy

Rule by citizens (Athens).