Rise of the Greek City States and Democracy

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to the rise of Greek city-states, types of government, democracy in Athens, and historical figures and events.

Polis

A city-state in ancient Greece.

Acropolis

The higher part of a city, typically the site of important temples and buildings.

Agora

The public space in a city-state used for assemblies and markets.

Monarchy

A form of government with a hereditary ruler holding power.

Aristocracy

A government ruled by the elite, typically landowners.

Oligarchy

Rule by a small group of wealthy individuals.

Ephors

Five elected officials in Sparta who oversaw the government and education.

Helots

Conquered peoples in Sparta, forced to work the land.

Spartan Citizen

Men who were at least 30 years old and born in Sparta.

Athenian Democracy

A system of government where citizens participate directly in decision making.

Draco

A legislator in Athens known for creating harsh laws.

Solon

An Athenian statesman who reformed Draco's laws and outlawed debt slavery.

Pericles

A prominent Athenian leader known for expanding democracy and the Golden Age.

Cleisthenes

An Athenian leader who established a form of direct democracy.

Direct Democracy

A political system where citizens directly participate in decision-making.

Limits to Athenian Democracy

Only male citizens over 30 could participate, and laws were slow to pass.

Role of Women in Athens

Women were primarily responsible for home and religion and had limited public roles.

Education in Athens

Focused on teaching reading, writing, and arts to males only.

Golden Age of Pericles

A period marked by cultural and architectural achievements in Athens.

Causes of the Persian Wars

Revolts in Ionia and Athenian support angered the Persian Empire.

Effects of the Peloponnesian War

Athens emerged as the most powerful Greek city-state but faced decline post-war.

Herodotus

Often called the 'Father of History' for his works on historical events.

Thucydides

An ancient historian who wrote about the Peloponnesian War, focusing on cause and effect.