Greece Quiz Study Guide

Aristocracy

A form of government in which power is held by nobles and rich people.

Oligarchy

A system of governance where power resides with a small number of people, typically the wealthy or influential.

Monarchy

A form of government in which a single ruler, often a king or queen, holds supreme authority and power is usually inherited.

Direct Democracy

A system of government where the power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Athenian Democracy

Had three main institutions: an assembly, the Council of 500, and the courts

Spartan Government

It was an oligarchy, had 2 kings, a council of elders, and a small assembly of citizens

4 Reformers of Athens

Draco, Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles

Draco

Developed legal code in Athens that said that all Athenian citizens were equal, added debt slavery, and punished criminals harshly, with the death penalty nearly every time.

Solon

Outlawed debt slavery, organized Greece into four social classes, and only the top three could hold political office. Also said that all citizens could bring legal charges against anyone.

Cleisthenes

Split Athens into 10 groups based on where they lived allowed all citizens to submit laws for debate and passage, but also reduced the number of citizens in Athens. Women and slaves had reduced rights

Pericles

Skillful Athenian politician, inspiring speaker, and respectful general, had three goals: to strengthen the Athenian government, hold and strengthen the empire, and glorify Athens

Trojan War

A legendary 10-year conflict between the ancient Greeks and the city of Troy, sparked by the abduction of Helen by the Trojan prince Paris, ended with the Greeks’ use of the deceptive Trojan Horse.

Persian War

Greeks in the Persian-controlled territory rose in the Ionian Revolt. Athens and other Greek cities assisted these rebels and they ended up defeating the Persians.

Peloponnesian War

Conflict between the major Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta that ended with a Spartan victory and the decline of Athens' golden age, caused by Spartan’s fear of Athenian control of the Delian league.

Delian League

An ancient Greek alliance formed in 478 BCE, led by Athens, to defend against Persia and other invaders. Athens took control and used it to fuel their Golden Age.

Phalanx

an ancient Greek military formation of heavily armed infantry standing in close, rectangular ranks with shields joined and spears or pikes at the ready

Athenian Golden Age

Led by Pericles, this Greek city-state experienced significant developments in the arts, theatre, and architecture, while also establishing direct democracy and encouraging civic participation. they also made many large monuments, such as the Parthenon

Fall of Greece

Following the Peloponnesian War, the internal weaknesses caused by the fall of Athens allowed for invading armies to take control and conquer Greece, in this case, the Macedonian Empire.

Alexander the Great

A king of Macedon who built one of the largest empires in ancient history, stretching from Greece to India, by conquering the Persian, Greek, and Egyptian empires.

Egyptian Alexandria

An ancient Egyptian city founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, which became a major center of commerce, culture, and learning in the ancient Mediterranean world

Hellenism

The era of Greek cultural influence that spread across Alexander the Great's vast empire, blending Greek and local traditions. Culturally diffused the many different empires under the control of Alexander the Great.

Fall of Macedonia

Following the death of Alexander the Great, there was no major successor to rule Macedonia, leading to the Romans conquering and taking control.

Results of the Persian War

Reshaped Greece's power dynamics, with Athens and Sparta rising to dominance. This conflict sparked the Delian League and started Athens' Golden Age

Results of the Peloponnesian War

The Athenian empire fell to Sparta, and Sparta took control. This outcome destabilized the Greek city-states, leading to a period of widespread conflict and weakening them to the point that Macedon eventually conquered them

Geographical influence on development of Ancient Greece

The many fragmented islands by the ocean led to the development of many differently cultured city-states, such as Athens and Sparta. Also, the mountainous terrain decreased the use of farming, making these city-states more dependent on trade and olives for food.

The Olympics

Developed from a variety of ancient Greek sports and games, began as a religious festival to honor Zeus, but has continued into the modern era as a worldwide competition.

Tragedy/Comedy in Ancient Greece

2 major forms of Ancient Greek theatre, with tragedy focusing on serious themes like fate, war, and human flaws, often drawing from myth, while comedy satirized (poked fun at) societal issues and contemporary Athens

Similarities between Athenian and American Government

Both governments have a separation of powers, with distinct branches for different functions, such as legislature, assembly, and courts. Also, both systems, limited who was considered a citizen with the right to vote.

Differences between Athenian and American Government

Athenian democracy was a direct democracy where eligible citizens voted on laws themselves, while the American government is a representative democracy where citizens elect officials to make decisions. Additionally, Athens did not include women and slaves as citizens.