Greece flashcards

Geography of Greece

mountainous terrain leading to independent city-states.

Importance of the Seas for Greeks

Seas provided trade routes.

Polis loyalty in Ancient Greece

Ancient Greeks had loyalty to their city-state, not to Greece as a whole.

Minoan Civilization

The civilization that existed on the island of Crete.

Theseus and the Minotaur

The story of Theseus who defeats the Minotaur in the Labyrinth.

Mycenaeans

Civilization that developed on the Greek mainland after the Minoans.

Trojan War

A conflict caused by the abduction of Helen and the Greek siege of Troy.

Homer

The Greek poet credited with writing the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Polytheistic faith

Belief in multiple gods, as practiced by the ancient Greeks.

Top god of Ancient Greece

Zeus

Acropolis

A high city, often containing temples and public buildings.

Agora

A central public space for assemblies and markets in a city-state.

Requirements for government participation

Free adult male citizens were allowed to participate in government.

Excluded groups in government

Women, slaves, and foreigners were not allowed to participate in the polis’s government.

Hoplite

A heavily armed foot soldier of ancient Greece.

Phalanx

A military formation of soldiers standing in close ranks.

Persian Empire

The empire that threatened Greece.

Persian Wars

A series of conflicts between Greek city-states and Persia.

Pheidippides

The Greek runner who delivered news of victory from Marathon to Athens.

Delian League

An alliance formed by Greek city-states after the Persian Wars.

Dominant polis after Persian Wars

Athens emerged as the dominant city-state in Greece following the wars.

Peloponnesian War

Conflict between the city-states of Sparta and Athens.

Causes of the Peloponnesian War

Power struggles and rivalry between Athens and Sparta.

Key events of the Peloponnesian War

the Plague of Athens and Sparta allying with Persia

Effects of the Peloponnesian Wars

Weakened Greek city-states

Due to isolation that was produced by the mountains of southern Greece, this city-state became suspicious of outsiders and their ideas.  Therefore, travel was restricted to and from this city-state.

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Due to its proximity(closeness) to the Aegean Sea, this city-state encouraged travel and trade which helped spread and bring in ideas and new goods and create relationships with other places around the Mediterranean.

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Claims to be the birthplace of democracy - “the rule of the people.”

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Had an oligarchy (rule of a few) with two kings who led the city-state as well as serving as generals in the army.

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Main law-making body was the Assembly - a gathering place for all citizens to meet, discuss, and make laws/decisions.

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Women did not participate in politics.

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City-state included a class of helots - a group of captured individuals who became slaves.  Many were needed so this city-state could concentrate their time and effort to their daily, military exercises.  

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Women has no rights and subject to the household

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Women had some rights - more than any other city-state

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Strong navy

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strong army

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Taught reading, writing, math, music, poetry, philosophy and more in schools or academies.

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Boys taken from parents at age 7 to start training for life in the military.  Learned the art of warfare and survival skills.

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Military camp for only two years from age 18-20.

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Age 20, placed in ranks of military and at age 30, could marry but still lived in army housing.

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Education was important to the people of this city-state as they believed their government was dependent on having well-prepared citizens.  Educated citizens would result in a stronger government.

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Girls received little to no education - only taught spinning, weaving and other household duties.

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Girls educated in subjects and could participate in gymnastics and other sports. This was thought to produce strong, healthy babies.

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Women enjoyed freedoms - could move around, own property and looked over property when husband was away.

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Women were kept at home and considered property of their husbands

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