From the Early Iron Age into the Archaic Period: Rise of the Polis

Flashcards covering the transition from the Early Iron Age to the Archaic Period in ancient Greece, focusing on the rise of the polis, social divisions, political forms, overseas colonization, and Panhellenic institutions.

What are the date ranges for the Early Iron Age and the Archaic Period in ancient Greece?

The Early Iron Age spanned 1200 – 750/700 BCE, and the Archaic Period spanned 750/700 – 480 BCE.

What is a polis, and when was it well established in ancient Greece?

A polis (plural: poleis) is a self-governing political unit consisting of a city, adjacent territory, and population (a "city-state" or "citizen state"). It developed during the latter part of the Early Iron Age and was well established by the early 7th century BCE.

What did the term dēmos denote in early Greek political organization?

A dēmos (plural: demoi) referred to a territorial community that included both the land and its inhabitants.

What was the role and power of a basileus during the latter Early Iron Age and early Archaic Period?

A basileus (plural: basileis) was a leading noble or "chief" (sometimes translated as "king") who required the support of a council of nobles or elders to rule.

How did political power shift across Greek territories by the 8th century BCE?

There was a diminishing influence of individual basileis, accompanied by the growing collective power of nobles and an increased importance of councils of elders.

From which Greek root words do "aristocracy" and "oligarchy" derive, and what do they mean?

"Aristocracy" derives from aristoi (meaning "best men"), and "oligarchy" derives from oligoi (meaning "few").

What are two examples of political magistrates in the Archaic Greek polis?

The archon and polemarch.

What were the four primary social divisions in ancient Greek society, ordered from largest to smallest?

The tribe (phyle), the brotherhood (phratria), the clan (genos), and the household (oikos).

What constituted the ancient Greek oikos, and what does oikonomia mean?

The oikos (plural: oikoi) was the basic social and economic unit of Greek society, consisting of a husband, wife, children, dependent relatives, livestock, lands, buildings, tools, and other property. Oikonomia means "regulation of the household."

How did the status of slaves within an oikos contrast with that of hired laborers?

Slaves could be recognized as members of an oikos, whereas hired laborers were not considered members of an oikos.

What is synoecism, and how did its method of achievement differ among poleis?

Synoecism was the process of political unification of a capital city and surrounding territory (a demos) where subsidiary communities gave up independence to unite under a central government. It was achieved peacefully in Corinth and Megara, but through force in Sparta.

What was an ethnos in ancient Greece, and what held it together?

An ethnos (plural: ethnē), meaning "tribe," "nation," or "people," was a demos without a capital city or central government. It was often unified by the common worship of patron deities and arrangements for common defence.

Which region, characterized as an ethnos of scattered rural villages without large cities, is circled on this map?

Aetolia (the ethnos of the Aetolians).

What was an acropolis, and what was typically located on it in an Archaic polis?

An acropolis ("high town") was the part of a polis situated on high ground or a rocky outcrop, where temples were frequently situated.

What prominent high-ground religious and fortified center of a polis is shown in this aerial view?

The Acropolis (specifically the Acropolis of Athens).

What were the function and primary architectural features of an agora?

The agora was an open square that functioned as a meeting place and market, typically surrounded by civic buildings and stoas (sheltered promenades).

What type of building—defined as a sheltered promenade commonly surrounding an agora—is shown here?

A stoa (specifically the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos in Athens).

Which civic and commercial gathering area is laid out in this archaeological site plan?

The Athenian Agora.

What was an apoikia, and when did the Greek overseas settlement period take place?

An apoikia (plural: apoikiae) was a permanent overseas settlement or "home away (from the old home)." The overseas settlement period lasted from the mid 8th century to around 500 BCE.

Along which major regions were Greek apoikiae established, and what are examples of modern cities with apoikia origins?

Apoikiae were established along the coasts of Italy, Sicily, north Africa, the Black Sea, southern France, and Spain. Examples of modern cities include Istanbul, Marseilles, Naples, and Syracuse.

What were the primary motives for Greek overseas settlement during the Archaic Period?

An expanding population and the need for more land; economic/trade reasons (such as searching for metals); and political or social ambition.

What was the political status of most apoikiae after their founding?

Most apoikiae became independent poleis.

Who was the Pythia in the context of Panhellenic institutions?

The priestess at the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi who communicated the god's messages.

Which Delphic figure is depicted on this vase seated on a tripod to communicate divine messages?

The Pythia (priestess of the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi).

What were the four Panhellenic athletic festivals, to whom were they dedicated, and when were they founded?

The festivals were dedicated to: Zeus at Olympia (776 BCE); Apollo at Delphi (582 BCE); Poseidon at Isthmia (581 BCE); and Zeus at Nemea (573 BCE).

Which ancient Panhellenic venue, home to games established in 776 BCE, is shown in this image?

The Stadium at Olympia.

What shared cultural factors unified the Greek world despite deep political fragmentation?

A shared linguistic, religious, aesthetic, and athletic identity (Panhellenism).