Greek History and Societal Structure

Flashcards focusing on key terms and concepts related to Greek history, society, and cultural practices.

Peloponnesian War

A war fought between Athens and Sparta from 431 to 404 BCE, marking a significant conflict in ancient Greek history.

Pentecontaetia

The period between 479 and 431 BCE, “the account of the fifty years” is a term first used by Thucydides to describe the period between the Battle of Plataea in 479 BCE to the start of the Peloponnesian War in 432 BCE.

Agoge

The rigorous education and training regimen for Spartan boys, focused on military discipline and endurance.

Delian League

An alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens, originally formed to counter the Persian threat.

Hoplite

A heavily armed foot soldier of ancient Greece, known for their formation known as the phalanx.

Helots

A subjugated population in Sparta, originally from conquered Messenia, who worked the land and served the Spartan citizens.

Socrates

A classical Greek philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, known for his method of questioning.

Thirty Tyrants

A pro-Spartan oligarchic regime installed in Athens after its defeat in the Peloponnesian War, ruling from 404 to 403 BCE.

Nicias

An Athenian general who negotiated the Peace of Nicias in 421 BCE, intending to end hostilities between Athens and Sparta.

Plague of Athens

A devastating epidemic that struck Athens during the Peloponnesian War, leading to a severe decline in population and morale.

Battle of Chaeronea

The 338 BCE battle in which Philip II of Macedonia defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes.

Alexander the Great

The King of Macedon from 336 to 323 BCE, known for creating one of the largest empires in history by the age of 30.

Metics

Foreign residents in ancient Athens who had legal rights but lacked citizenship, leading to social and economic restrictions.

Demosioi

Public slaves in Athens who performed crucial administrative tasks, different from privately owned slaves.

Punic Wars

A series of three conflicts between Rome and Carthage that were pivotal to the development of Roman power.

Olympics

Ancient athletic competitions held in Olympia, dedicated to the Greek god Zeus, featuring various sporting events.

Gerousia

The Spartan council of elders, composed of 28 members plus the two kings, responsible for advising on important state matters.

Ekklesia

The assembly of citizens in ancient Athens, responsible for making decisions in the democratic government.

Periclean Democracy

A period of Athenian democracy under the leadership of Pericles, characterized by increased citizen participation and cultural flourishing.

Thucydides

An ancient Greek historian known for his work 'History of the Peloponnesian War,' which provides a detailed account of the conflict.

Lycurgus

laid the foundation for the entire Spartan way of life, including: the state laws, the military institution, and the communal dining practices.

Phalanx

A military formation of heavily armed foot soldiers standing close together in rows, which was effective in battles of ancient Greece.

Eratosthenes

An ancient Greek mathematician, geographer, and astronomer, known for calculating the circumference of the Earth.

Sysaitia

Shared dining halls in Sparta where men gathered to eat and socialize, integral to maintaining camaraderie and military discipline.

Homoioi

Spartiates or full citizens of Sparta, who were known for their rigorous military training and social equality.

Oliganthrôpia

scantiness of men

Thirty Years’ Peace

A treaty between Athens and Sparta that aimed to end hostilities and maintain peace for thirty years after the First Peloponnesian War.

Lacedaemonians

Messenia

a region in the Peloponnese, conquered by the Spartans, leading to the establishment of helotry. Neighbor of Thebes.

Laconic

a term related to the concise and breif style of speech used by the Spartans, reflecting their culture of brevity.

Spartian Women can…

could inherit property, own land, make business transactions, and were better educated.

Spartan Constitution

a unique system of governance established by Lycurgus, combining elements of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, aimed at maintaining social order and military readiness. It included a council of elders (Gerousia) , the assembly of citizens (Ekklesia), and dual kingship (Dyarchy).

Spartan Kings

were not absolute monarchs, their main role was as military commanders, could not declare war or even muster an army on their own, could be fined, exiled, and deposed

Ephors

were a group of five elected officials in Sparta who held significant power, overseeing the education of youth, the conduct of citizens, and serving as a check on the kings' authority.

Sophocles

was a prominent ancient Greek playwright known for his tragedies, particularly "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone." He introduced innovations in drama including the use of more complex characters and the third actor.

Piraeus

was the main harbor of Athens, Sparta poisoned the wells there so that Athenians were sickened by drinking contaminated water

Latomia

an ancient quarry near Syracuse, known for its vast underground caves used as prisons and for stone extraction.

Aegospotami

was a naval battle in 405 BC during the Peloponnesian War, where the Spartan fleet defeated the Athenians, leading to the fall of Athens.

Aristophanes

was an ancient Greek playwright known for his comedies that often satirized contemporary society, politics, and philosophers. The Clouds.

Kapeleia

small shops

Emporia

larger enterprices

Battle of Leuctra

made Thebes the leading military power among the Greek city-states, ending the long dominance of Sparta. The battle also marked a revolutionary advance in battlefield tactics, lead by the general Epaminondas

Verghina

site of ancient royal tombs in Macedonia, significant for its archaeological discoveries and the burial site of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.

The Phalanx

organized Spartan battle line

Sarissa

a long spear used by Macedonian infantry in battle, characteristic of the Macedonian phalanx formation.

Battle of Chaeronea

338 BCE decisive battle where Philip II defeated the Greek city-states, establishing Macedonian dominance. Along the road from Thermopylae to Thebes. The end of Greek independence

Lysippus

ancient Greek sculptor known for his bronze works and influence on later generations of artists. worked in Alexander the Great’s court.

Battle of Issus

a pivotal battle in 333 BCE between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia, resulting in a decisive victory for Alexander, furthering his conquest of the Persian Empire.

Roxana

she was captured and married by Alexander during his conquest of Asia. She gave birth to Alexander’s son; who was later executed.

The Diadochs

the rival generals, families, and friends who fought for control over Alexander the Great's empire after his death.

Hellenistic Kingdoms

Egypt, Syria, Macedon, and Pergamon that emerged after the death of Alexander.

Pergamon

The last of the Attalids left his reign as inheritance to Rome in 133 BCE. This was a major cultural and political center in the Hellenistic period, known for its advances in art, architecture, and scholarship.

Parchment

charta pergamena, invented in Pergamon, was a writing material made from animal skin.

Alexandria

A prominent city founded by Alexander the Great in Egypt, known for its great library and as a center of learning and culture during the Hellenistic period.

Bellum Alexandriunum

48 BCE a fire destroyed the harbour and, possibly, the library (or at least the scrolls housed there before their transfer to the library)

Greek Italy

The regions of Southern Italy and Sicily influenced by Greek colonization, known for their rich cultural and historical significance during ancient times.

King Pyrrhus

A king of Epirus known for his victories against Rome during the Pyrrhic War, which ultimately came at a devastating cost.

Pyyric Victories

a success that brings such significant harm to the victor that it differs little from defeat

Punic Wars

3 wars, fought between Rome and Carthage from 264 to 146 BC, significant for their role in establishing Rome's dominance over the Mediterranean.

Hannibal

A Carthaginian general who is renowned for his tactics during the Second Punic War, particularly his famous march across the Alps to invade Italy.

Triumph

a parade, led by a victorious military commander, into and through the city of Rome, culminating with sacrifices

Zama

Located in Northen Africa. The final battle of the Second Punic War, fought in 202 BC, where Roman forces, led by Scipio Africanus, defeated Hannibal's army.

Third Punic War

First Macedonian war

215-207 BC was fought while Rome was already dealing with Carthage and Hannibal.It was between Rome and Macedonia, led by King Philip V, as part of a broader power struggle in the Mediterranean.

Secon

Titus Quinctius Flaminius

“Declaration of Freedom for the Greek Cities”, and was seen on the coinage of Macedonia

Third Macedonian War

171 - 168 BC was fought between Rome and Macedon, led by Perseus. This conflict marked the end of the Macedonian Kingdom as a significant power in the region. Divided into 4 regions, separated from one another

The Fourth Macedonian War

150 - 148 BC was fought against the Romans, led by Andriscus, who claimed to be the son of Perseus. This war ultimately resulted in the complete destruction of the Macedonian state and its incorporation into the Roman Republic.

Metellus

was a Roman general involved in the Third Macedonian War, known for his decisive victories against Macedonian forces. Recieved the honorific last name, Macedonicus

Porticus Metelli

was a prominent public building in Rome, built in honor of the general Metellus, serving as a marketplace and gathering place for citizens during the Roman Republic.

Destruction of Corinth

146 BC It was razed to the ground, its inhabitants were enslaved and its artistic treasures were shipped to Rome, Carthage was also destroyed

Athletes

means "one who competes for a prize" and was related to two other Greek words, athlos meaning "contest" and Athlon meaning "prize."

Pindar

A famous ancient Greek lyric poet known for his odes celebrating athletic victories and composed during the 5th century BC.

Panhellenic Games

Ancient Greek games held every four years, including the Olympics, that united various city-states in competition.

Panathenaic Games

A major athletic festival held in Athens, honoring the goddess Athena, featuring sporting events, music, and poetry competitions.

Pankration

An ancient Greek martial art combining boxing and wrestling, NO SWIMMING.

Andron

a decorated floor and/or walls, a decorated anteroom, a marked border for couches, an off-centre doorway to allow for positioning of couches around the walls

Gunaikon

the women's quarters in a Greek household, often separate from the men's area.

Peplos

a traditional garment worn by women in ancient Greece, typically made of wool and pinned at the shoulders.

Chiton

a loose-fitting garment worn by both men and women in ancient Greece, made from a rectangle of cloth secured with pins or belts.

Himation

Synoikiai

poorly constructed apartment blocks or small clusters of dwellings that formed the basis of urban living in ancient Greece, often housing multiple families and facilitating community life.

Delos

slave port, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis

Hippocrates

first physician known as the "Father of Medicine," he established a system of medical ethics and practices that laid the groundwork for modern medicine.

Freed Slave

Mostly non-Greek, Limited estate inheritance rights, Harder to become citizens, Risk of being reclaimed as slaves, social stigma attached

Freeborn

Mostly of Greek origin, Could leave estates to anyone, Mostly worked as traders and craftsmen, More likely to be naturalized or become a citizen, Greater social mobility

Dēmosioi

Greek term for public slaves, typically used in households and public works, who had some legal rights but were still owned by the state.