Ancient History Year 12 Study Notes

Flashcards covering the Ancient History Year 12 syllabus, centered on the cities of Vesuvius (Pompeii and Herculaneum), Persian society under Darius and Xerxes, the personality of Xerxes, and the historical period of Greece from 500-440 BC.

What does the term 'Campania Felix' refer to according to the transcript?

It means 'fortune or happiness,' describing the fertile and wealthy region surrounding Pompeii and Herculaneum.

What specific evidence suggests the AD 79 eruption of Mt. Vesuvius may have occurred in October or November rather than August?

Charcoal inscriptions, carbonised autumnal fruit, specific coins of a new Emperor, and the state of fermenting wine.

How did the destruction of Herculaneum differ from that of Pompeii?

Herculaneum was destroyed by the first pyroclastic surge of high heat ($400^{\circ}\text{C}$), whereas Pompeii was initially covered in ash and lapilli before later surges reached it.

What was Giuseppe Fiorelli's major contribution to the archaeology of Pompeii?

He introduced a systematic street-to-street excavation method, divided the site into nine regions, and developed the technique of plaster casting to preserve the forms of victims.

What are the three main social classes in Pompeii and Herculaneum?

Freeborn (ingenui), Freedmen (libertus), and Slaves (servi).

Who was Eumachia and why is she significant in Pompeii?

She was a wealthy priestess in the imperial cult who funded the 'Eumachia building' in the forum, demonstrating the status and economic influence of some women.

What was the 'Salutatio' in the context of the patron-client relationship?

A daily meeting where clients (often freedmen or lower-class freeborn) met their wealthy patron for advice or financial support.

What is the 'House of the Centenary' fresco famous for depicting?

It shows the oldest known image of Vesuvius, with the Roman god Bacchus (Dionysus) encapsulated in grapevines.

What was the primary purpose of the Behistan Rock according to the Persian history notes?

It served as royal propaganda for Darius I, written in three languages (Elamite, Old Persian, and Babylonian), to justify his claim to the throne and celebrate his victory over nine rebel kings.

What was the role of the 'hazarapatis' in the Persian bureaucracy?

The hazarapatis was the commander of the king's bodyguard and a high-ranking official often referred to as the 'commander of a thousand.'

Who were the 'Immortals' in the Persian military?

A 10,000-man elite infantry unit that served as the king's personal bodyguard; they were famously depicted on glazed brick panels at Susa.

How did Darius I modernize the Persian economy?

He introduced the gold coin known as the 'daric' and established a new system of state taxes based on cultivated land and fertility.

What was the 'Royal Road' and how long was it?

A major transport and communication route approximately $2400\,km$ long that utilized a system of horse-changing posts for rapid communication.

According to the Harem Inscription, how did Xerxes justify his right to rule?

He claimed it was the desire of Ahuramazda that his father Darius made him the greatest, highlighting his succession as divine will.

What was the significance of the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC?

Under the leadership of Miltiades, the Athenians used a phalanx strategy with strengthened wings to defeat the first Persian invasion force.

What was 'Themistocles' Wooden Wall' interpretation regarding the Delphic Oracle?

Themistocles convinced the Athenians that the 'wooden wall' mentioned by the Oracle referred to the navy's triremes, leading to the evacuation of the city and defense at sea.

Who was the Spartan king that led the 300 soldiers at the Battle of Thermopylae?

Leonidas.

What was the outcome and significance of the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC?

The Greek navy defeated the larger Persian fleet in the narrow straits, serving as a turning point that forced Xerxes to return to Persia.

Why did the Persians lose the second invasion according to the notes?

Factors included being overconfident, having unskilled or lightly armored soldiers compared to Greek hoplites, and the inability of Persian ships to maneuver in the straits of Salamis.

What is the 'Troezen Decree'?

A traditional inscription attributed to Themistocles regarding the evacuation of Athens and the coordinated Greek strategy for the defense against the Persians.