Classical Greece

Basileus

Monarchs who ruled the city-states

These were the village mayors in Myceneaen times

Greek governments leading to democracy

Monarchy>Oligarchy>Tyranny>Democracy

Synoikism

Small villages joining together to make a city state

Acropolis

Heavily fortified place at the top of a hill

Agora

A central public space in ancient Greek city-states used for assemblies and markets.

Hoplites

Greek infantry soldiers who had heavy armor and fought in a phalanx

Phalanx

Military formation that involved closely packed together soldiers with long spears and shields. The formation didn’t work on uneven ground.

Requirements to be a citizen

1. Native born

2. Had to be male

3. Own land

4. 18-20 years old

Arkhons

Athenian governors with 1 year terms

Boule

Athenian council with the most power and decides what the assembly will discuss

Areopagos

Athenian council comprised of former Arkhons and elite with a role similar to the supreme court

Ekklesia

Athenian assembly with all citizens

Spartan social Hierarchy

Homoioi= Citizen

Perioikoi= Resident (people who didn’t get accepted to military)

Helots= Slaves

Agoge

Spartan school for military training

Ephor

Spartan political leaders who were more powerful than the kings

1 year terms, must be 60

Kings in Sparta

2 kings

Kings had religious and military power

Gerousia

Spartan government position. 28 old advisors who decided what the assembly will vote on

Spartan assembly

All citizens could vote but not propose law

First Persian Invasion

Entire fleet is lost at sea

Second Persian Invasion (battle of marathon)

Darius inavdes Greece. The Athenians try to get help from Sparta but they decline. Greeks are heavily outnumbered but win due to Phalanx formation and push the Persians back into the sea.

Third Persian Invasion (Thermopylai)

Xerxes launches a huge force to invade. This time Sparta pulls up and try to hold off a narrow passage but a traitor shows the Persians a path around. The Persians surround the Greeks/Spartans and then burn Athens and win the battle.

Third Persian Invasion (Salamis and Plataiai)

The Athenians refugees gather at Salamis. The Greek navy is hidden nearby and destroys the Persian fleet. Xerxes retreats and leaves a small army behind which is eventually defeated at Plataiai.

Results of Persian Wars

1. Athens becomes the most powerful city-state

2. Organized Delian League, an alliance with other city-states

3. Dominated alliance which slowly turned into Athenian Empire

Sparta’s Problems before Pelopennesian Wars

1. Earthquake that damages Sparta’s walls

2. Helot revolt

3. Military generals accused of helping the Persians

Kleroukhies

Military outposts created by Athens in foreign land

6 turning points in the Pelopennesian War

1. Death of Pericles

2. Failed Sicilian expedition

3. Defection of Alkibiades

4. Persian alliance with Sparta

5. Defeat at Arginusae

6. Defeat at Aegospotomi

Battle of Arginusae

Naval battle in the Pelopennesian war that Athens won but there was a big storm and they didn’t search for survivors. This led to all of the generals of the battle getting thrown in jail.

Battle of Aegospotomi

Decisive naval battle that resulted in a major defeat for Athens, leading to the end of the Peloponnesian War.

Results of Peloponnesian War

1. Greece becomes a multi-polar system

2. Democracy survives in Athens

3. Sparta declines because its social structure is not fit for the outside world

4. The real winner is Persia. They gain many Greek cities from the Spartan deal

Battle of Luektra

Thebes defeats the Spartans who only had 700 citizens that were able to fight

Sparta loses the Helots/slaves

Dracma

Coin introduced by Cimon

Demagogues

Those who “lead the mob” and help increase democracy

Tiremes

Greek naval ships with a battering ram