Athens/ Sparta/ Persian & Peloponnesian wars

Cyrus the Great

founder of the Persian Empire

Darius the Great

King of Persia who expanded the empire and invaded Greece but was defeated at the Battle of Marathon (550-486 BC). Created roads & provinces to improve the empire

Xerxes

son of Darius; became Persian king. He vowed revenge on the Athenians. He invaded Greece, but failed

Ephors

a group of 5 officials that helped govern Sparta and made sure Spartan law was followed

Helot

Spartan slave from Messenia who was forced to produce crops for Sparta

alliance

An agreement to work together

innovation

a new way of doing things

Oligarchy

A government ruled by a few men or families

Tyranny

In ancient Greece it was a rule by one strong leader usually through force

Democracy

a government where citizens hold the power " Rule by the people"

Direct Democracy

a government where citizens have a direct vote on evry issue every time

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

citizenship

membership in a state or community that gives a person civil & political rights & responsibilities

Solon

started the process of Democracy in Athens; he canceled all debt, ended slavery & added 3 bodies to the govt.

Peisistratus

reformer in Athens who redistributed lands and gave loans to farmers to get them out of debt. (land & money)

Cleisthenes

reformer in Athens, some consider the " Father of Democracy" who divided the citizens into 10 tribes to disperse the wealth & power, expanded the council to 500 and introduced ostracism.

Ostracism

to exile or banish someone for up to 10 years from Athens if they were deemed a threat

Pericles

reformer in Athens who made all govt. offices payable and elected which allowed the poor to be involved. Ruler who created the "Golden Age" of Athens

Lycurgus

legendary lawgiver of Sparta, established the military-oriented reformation of Spartan society

cavalry

soldiers on horseback

Delian league

Alliance between Athens and many of its allied cities following the first attempted invasion of Perisa into Greece. Caused a lot of wealth to flow into Athens and thus contributed to the Athenian "Golden Age."

Peloponnesian League

League created and led by Sparta that consisted of Spartan and their allies

Macedonia

An ancient kingdom north of Greece, whose ruler Philip II conquered Greece in 338 B.C.E and when Phillip died was led by his son Alexander the Great

Thucydides

ancient Greek historian remembered for his history of the Peloponnesian War

Herodotus

"Father of history" who coverd the Persian war

Ionian Revolt

Ionian cities revolted against Persian Rule, helped by Athens. At first it was a success, then crushed by Persians. This was the "spark" that started the Persian war.

Thermopylae

a famous battle in 480 BCE, where the Persians attacked the Spartans, battle held in a mountain pass. After 3 days the Spartans fell, but was considered the most glorious defeat in Greek history

Two kings of Sparta

generals of the army

Marathon

a battle in 490 BCE in which the Athenians and their allies defeated the Persians. Forced the Persians to retreat for 10 years and Athens to build the strongest navy in Greece

What seas surround Greece?

Ionian( West), Aegean (East), and Mediterranean(South)