Greek City States and Spaces - Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on Greek City States and their history, wars, economy, and interactions with other powers like the Persians.

Greek City-States (Early History)

Self-governing cities, possibly numbering in the hundreds, with first written notations around 650 BCE, speculated to have rising populations since the 800s/700s BCE. They featured courts and judges, and political terms were likely rotated.

Earliest City-State Communications

An account of a war on the isle of Euboea from about the 7th century BCE, reflecting that warfare was commonplace and a major reason for communication among Greek city-states.

Thucydides on Early Greek Warfare

Believed early land wars were of limited importance as they were fought against neighbors and Greeks did not wage war in distant foreign lands; conflicts often arose from internal disagreements among city-states.

Lelantine War

A war fought between Chalcis and Eretria around 710-650 BCE, likely caused by disputes over land ownership and control of the fertile Lelantine Plain. Unlike typical wars, many other city-states became involved.

Archilochos

A Greek writer from the 700s BCE who possibly mentioned the Lelantine War, noting a preference for sword combat over bows and slingshots in battle.

Greek Warfare in 700s BCE

Characterized by actions of aristocrats and fought on land by lightly armed soldiers; lacked 'modern' elements like hoplite troops and extensive use of bows and arrows. Naval warfare existed but was not extensively used, with the first naval battle recorded around 664 BCE involving Corinth.

Lelantine War Outcome

Some scholars suggest no clear winner, but it led to the destruction of Lefkandi (a major Eretrian city) and generally weakened both Chalcis and Eretria. Ultimately, Eretria was destroyed in the early 400s BCE, and Chalcis was claimed by Athens.

Technological Advances After Dark Ages

Included the arrival of iron in Greece (around 1200-800 BCE) and the evolution of warfare, most notably the Hoplite Phalanx, which developed around the 600s BCE.

Hoplite Phalanx

A military formation utilized by hoplites, who were soldiers using shields, evolving around the 600s BCE.

Mercenaries (μισθοφόρος)

Paid soldiers who became more prevalent in Greek warfare by the 500s/400s BCE. Studies show that at Himera, a battle between Greeks and Carthaginians, a significant portion of soldiers were non-Greek.

Greek and Israelite Sacrifices

Similarities noted in early rites, typically involving domesticated animals, where both cultures built altars and consumed the prime portions of the animal. This practice was common in Greece by the time of the Mycenaeans.

Greek Civilization (Foreign Influence)

Possibly influenced by Egyptians, particularly in the transition from wooden to stone architecture. Mesopotamian culture also had some influence.

Minting of Coins

First took place in Greece around the 600s BCE, possibly influenced by Lydian advances, with Herodotus noting the Lydians as the first to mint coins.

Greek Economic Growth (800s BCE - Classical Period)

An unparalleled period of economic growth after the Dark Ages, leading to flourishing culture. Cities like Athens engaged in importing goods like olive oil, wheat, and wine, with contributions from private benefactors and cooperation among city-states.

Prostitution in Ancient Greek Society

A prevalent and

Persian Empire (Greek Perception)

Greeks attempted to diminish Persians by inaccurately referring to them as 'Medes' and often portrayed them as 'bad guys' (e.g., in movies), despite their actual wealth, intelligence, and vast territory.

Cyrus the Great

A fabulously wealthy and powerful Persian king, known for amassing great power and wealth. He is mentioned in the Bible for allowing the Jews to return and rebuild their Temple around 538 BCE.

Persian Wars

A series of conflicts between Greeks and Persians over nearly 50 years, beginning in the 490s BCE. Reasons included taxation, the revolt of Miletus, greed, and control of trade routes.

Battle of Marathon

A famous battle fought around 490 BCE near Athens, where Athenian troops notably defeated the Persians by returning quickly before the Persian navy could arrive.

Xerxes

The Persian king who succeeded Darius and was involved in later Persian Wars, including the Battle of Thermopylae and the sacking of Athens.

Battle of Thermopylae

A battle in 480 BCE, famously involving Leonidas and 300 Spartans.

Naval Battle of Salamis

A significant naval encounter during the Persian Wars.

Battle of Plataea

Fought in 479 BCE, this battle cemented the superiority of the Greek hoplite and phalanx military over older Persian technology, with the Greeks fielding over 100,000 hoplites.

Peace of Callias

A disputed treaty, possibly from 449 BCE (or 460s), not mentioned by Herodotus or Thucydides, which some sources claim limited both Persian and Athenian military actions, setting territorial boundaries (e.g., Athens not entering the Black Sea, Persia not entering western Asia Minor).

Second Peloponnesian War

A conflict (431-404 BCE) during which the peace with Persia was broken after about 50 years, with Persia aiding the Spartans by supplying resources like timber for shipbuilding against Athens.