Ancient Greece and Persia

Vocabulary flashcards covering key figures, battles, and concepts from Ancient Greek and Persian history, as well as mythology and rhetoric.

Alexander the Great

Responsible for creating one of the largest empires in ancient history and spreading Greek culture and influence across three continents.

Peloponnesian War

A conflict that resulted in the defeat of Athens and the end of the Golden Age of Ancient Greece, leading to the rise of Sparta.

Hellenistic Age

The period following the death of Alexander the Great, characterized by the spread of Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean and Near East.

Ionian Rebellion

A revolt of Greek city-states against Persian rule which prompted the Persian Wars.

Darius III

The last king of the Persian Empire who fought against Alexander the Great and ultimately lost his empire to him.

Battle of Marathon

A pivotal battle in the Greco-Persian Wars where the Athenians achieved a surprising victory against the Persians.

Leonidas

The Spartan king who led a small Greek force against the much larger Persian army at Thermopylae, becoming a symbol of courage and sacrifice.

Pericles

A prominent leader of Athens at the start of the Peloponnesian War known for using naval power and fortifying the city.

Battle of Salamis

A naval battle where the Greek fleet defeated the Persian navy, marking a turning point in the Greco-Persian Wars.

Phidippides

The Athenian messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory over the Persians, inspiring the modern marathon race.

Sicilian Expedition

An ambitious military campaign by Athens during the Peloponnesian War that ended in disaster and significantly weakened Athenian power.

Hoplites

Heavily armed foot soldiers of ancient Greece known for their distinctive armor and fighting in phalanx formation.

Delian League

An alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens formed to continue the fight against Persia and protect against future invasions.

Xerxes

A Persian king known for his massive invasion of Greece during the Persian Wars, ultimately ending in his defeat.

Immortals

An elite unit of the Persian army known for their strength and effectiveness, often serving as the king's personal guard.

Antigonus

One of Alexander's generals who became a prominent figure in the power struggles and wars of the Diadochi after Alexander's death.

Battle of Gaugamela

A decisive victory for Alexander the Great leading to the fall of the Persian Empire and the capture of Darius III.

Olympius

The mother of Alexander the Great known for her influence on his early life and her role in Macedonian political dynamics.

Socrates

One of the founders of Western philosophy who emphasized ethics and the Socratic method of questioning.

Peloponnesian League

A military alliance led by Sparta.

Themistocles

An Athenian general and politician who played a crucial role in the naval victory at the Battle of Salamis.

Ptolemy

An ancient figure who made contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and geography.

Phalanx

A military formation of soldiers arranged in lines, typically armed with spears.

Seleucus

One of the generals of Alexander the Great.

Tyre

A city known for strong defenses that had never been defeated until the conquest of Alexander.

Sparta

A Greek city-state known for having a super military reputation.

Crete

The largest island in Greece.

Aristotle

A philosopher who served as the tutor for Alexander the Great.

Democracy

An ancient Greek concept involving people voting on laws.

Folktale

A fictional story that often conveys cultural values.

Herodotus

Known as the father of history.

Legend

A narrative based on truth but often exaggerated.

Monarchy

A form of government where a family rules.

Myths

Narratives that explain the unknown and provide cultural context.

Poseidon

The Greek god of the sea.

Zeus

The Greek god of the sky and heavens.

Bucephalus

The famous horse of Alexander the Great.

Thera

An island in the Aegean Sea known for its volcanic history.

Cleisthenes

Known as the father of democracy in Athens.

Troy

The historical site famously associated with the Trojan War.

Ethos

A rhetorical concept referring to ethics and credibility in persuasion.

Hades

The Greek god of the underworld.

Homer

A writer known for the 'Iliad' and the 'Odyssey'.

Logos

A rhetorical concept referring to logic and reasoning in argumentation.

Pathos

A rhetorical concept representing emotional appeal.

Pisistratus

A tyrant who helped develop the city of Athens.