Ancient Greece and Empire Development

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, historical figures, and political definitions from the lecture notes on Ancient Greece and early empires.

Socrates

Greek philosopher known as 'The Gadfly' who never wrote anything down, used a question-asking method, and was sentenced to die by drinking hemlock for corrupting youth and disrespect to Gods.

Socratic Method

A practice of asking questions to eliminate nonsense.

Hemlock

The poison used in the execution of Socrates.

Plato

Student of Socrates who dedicated his life to government, rejected democracy, wrote The Republic, started the Academy, and believed in an ideal society and higher reality.

The Republic

Books written by Plato about government and ideal society.

Academy

The school established by Plato.

Aristotle

Realist philosopher and biologist who tutored Alexander the Great, set up a school, promoted reason, and wrote books on science, politics, and math.

Old World

A historical region identifier referring to Afro-Eurasia.

New World

A historical region identifier referring to North America.

Administrative innovations

Changes in leadership government, such as transitioning from Pharaoh to King, hierarchy systems, deportations, and trade management.

Garrisons

Soldiers stationed in a specific location.

AD

Anno Domini ('Year of our lord'), measuring years after the birth of Jesus Christ.

Polis

A Greek city-state.

Acropolis

The elevated level of a Greek polis that contained high temples.

Monarchy

A government system ruled by a single king or Pharaoh.

Aristocracy

A government ruled by wealthy, noble individuals.

Oligarchy

A government ruled by a small group of wealthy men.

Soil exhaustion

Depletion of soil quality due to overplanting, contributing to migration and imperial declines.

Peloponnesian War

The conflict that left both Athens and Sparta weakened, allowing King Philip to take control of Greece.

Herodotus

Known as the 'father of history', he gathered historical events from first-person views.

Alexander the Great

Son of King Philip and Olympias born in Pella, nicknamed 'King of Kings', who conquered the Persian Empire, founded Alexandria, was proclaimed Pharaoh, and died on June 10th at age 32.

Barbarians

The term used by Ancient Greeks to describe foreigners.

Helots

Slaves in Spartan society.

Phalanx

A Greek military fighting style using iron weapons.