Ancient Greece

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What other two civilizations existed in the same region as Greece?

What other two civilizations existed in the same region as Greece?

Mesopotamia and Egypt

What geographic features were significant in Greece? Why?

Mountains and seas were significant because mountains (and short rivers) isolated Greeks from one another and so they developed their own ways of life. There were islands in the seas where Greeks occupied. People became seafarers and spread civilization throughout the Mediterranean world.

What two important works did Homer write? What was the Iliad about?

He wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey. The Iliad was about the Trojan War.

What was important for all citizens? Where would they meet?

Politics were important for all citizens (men). They would meet at the acropolis (upper fortified part of the city or town where there was a military fortress).

What was the largest city-state of Ancient Greece?

Athens

What was the social class system of Ancient Greece?

Citizens: adult male citizens. Citizens without political rights: women and children. Non-citizens: slaves and resident aliens.

Define phalanx;

Phalanx: a body of heavily armed infantry in ancient Greece formed in close deep ranks and files

Define helots

Helots: a member of a class of serfs in ancient Sparta, intermediate in status between slaves and citizens, they were the conquered peoples

What happened at the Battle of Marathon?

Persian ruler Darius had conquered Ionic city states. They tried to revolt and failed. Athens attacked and defeated Persian army

In what battled did the Greeks hold off Xerxes’ army?

The Battle of Thermopylae

Who won the war between the Persians and the Greeks?

the Persians eventually won

Who fought in the Peloponnesian War? Who won?

The Spartans and Athens and their allies. Sparta.

What did the war lead to?

led to years of petty fighting between states and their eventual conquering by Macedonians to their north.

What did the Greeks consider the Macedonians to be?

Barbarians

What Macedonian king in what battle crushed the Greeks?

Under King Philip 11, in the Battle of Chaeronea

How old was Alexander the Great when he took the throne?

20

What dream of Alexander’s father’s did he undertake?

His fathers dream of invading the Persian empire

Was Alexander successful in invading the Persian empire?

Yes

At what age did Alexander die?

32

What made Alexander a great leader?

He was brave, master of strategies & tactics, fought on every kind of terrain with all kinds of opponents

What did the Greeks consider religion?

A necessity for the well being of the state

Where did Greeks believe their 12 gods and goddesses lived?

Mt. Olympus

What did Greek religion focus on?

Did not focus on morality, ritual was the most important element of their religion

Why did festivals develop?

As a way to honor the god and goddesses

What was the Oracle of Delphi? When was the oracle consulted?

A temple of Apollo. Before any important undertaking (war, creating a colony, etc.)

Define Hellenic Period

five centuries preceding the conquests of Alexander the Great. Reached its height in Athens during the Age of Pericles

How did theater function in Greece?

Dramas and comedies were produced in outdoor amphitheaters; little scenery, used chorus to relate the story, all male actors

Define philosophy. What was the purpose of philosophy?

“love of wisdom”. Seeks to understand man in his relationship with god, nature and other men, seeks to uncover the meaning of human ideals such as justice, morals and success

What is the Socratic method?

Socratic method of persistent questioning led pupils to see things for themselves using their own wisdom

What school did Plato establish?

The Academy

What two works is Plato most famous for and what were they about?

Dialogues (a discussion of ethics, religion, beauty and logic) and The Republic (ideal government—an aristocracy f intelligence)

Who was a student of Aristotle?

Plato

What did Aristotle develop (and what is it)?

Aristotle developed syllogism, the basis of rational scientific thought.

Define historical writing;

a systematic analysis of past events

What is Herodotus known as and what did he write about?

Known as the father of history and he wrote about Persian invasions of Greece (fact & fable)

What is Thucydides known as and what did he write about?

Known as first scientific historian and he wrote about the Peloponnesian war

What is the most famous building of ancient Greece?

The Parthenon