Greek Mythology

Q: What was Greece originally like politically?

: It wasn’t a unified country but made up of city-states (polis). The word 'Greek' came later from the Romans.

What were Panhellenic sanctuaries?

A: Cultural/religious sites shared by all Greeks (ex. Delphi).

Q: What were the two main dialect/cultural differences in Ancient Greece?

A: Sparta vs. Ionia.

Q: What are the main historical periods of Greece?

A: Helladic (2900–1100 BCE), Greek Dark Ages (1100–800 BCE), Archaic (800–480 BCE), Classical (480–323 BCE), Hellenistic (323–31 BCE), Roman Empire (from 31 BCE).

When was the Helladic Period?

(2900–1100 BCE)

When was the Greek Dark Ages Period?

(1100–800 BCE)

When was the Archaic Period?

(800–480 BCE)

When was the Classical Period?

(480–323 BCE),

When was the Hellenistic Period?

(323–31 BCE)

When was the Roman Empire Period?

(31 BCE).

Q: Who were the main civilizations of the Helladic period?

A: Minoans (Crete, traders ~1800 BCE) and Mycenaeans (Greek mainland, warlike ~1600 BCE).

Q: Why is the Greek Dark Ages controversial?

A: It marked a widespread collapse at the end of the Bronze Age, but the cause is unknown (possibly environmental catastrophe).

Q: What were the characteristics of the Greek Dark Ages?

A: Collapse of civilization, literacy ceased, reduced crafts, no monumental architecture, migration to smaller communities

Q: What important changes occurred during the Archaic Period?

A: Literacy reborn, rise of polis, Panhellenic sanctuaries, colonization, hoplite warfare, tyrants, poetry, trade

Q: When did Greek colonization begin?

A: Around 750 BCE.

Q: What wars ended the Archaic Period?

A: The Greek-Persian Wars (499–479 BCE), Athens defeated Persia.

Q: What defined the Classical Period?

A: Architecture (Parthenon, Acropolis), marble sculpture, Athens recorded history.

Q: Who became dominant after Athens?

A: Sparta.

Q: What happened after Sparta overtook Athens?

A: Alexander the Great conquered Greece and Persia before dying unexpectedly.

Q: What began the Hellenistic Period?

A: Alexander’s death, empire divided into 3–4 kingdoms.

Q: What were the cultural characteristics of the Hellenistic Period?

A: Spread of Greek culture, expressive art, focus on women/elderly/sick, Cleopatra last ruler in Egypt.

Q: What event ended Greek independence?

A: Battle of Actium (31 BCE), Rome defeated Greeks.

Q: What came before the Roman Empire?

A: Roman Republic (509–27 BCE), Roman Kingdom (from 729 BCE, mythic Romulus origins).

Q: How do we know about Ancient Greeks?

A: They recorded epics (Odyssey), comedies, histories, poems; though copies could have errors.

Q: What materials preserved Greek culture?

A: Vellum, papyrus, vases (storytelling), monumental buildings (Parthenon).