Culture, Government, and History of Athens and Sparta

Vocabulary flashcards covering the social structure, political institutions, culture, key historical figures, and major conflicts of ancient Athens and Sparta.

Polis

A Greek city-state that began appearing around 800 BCE, consisting of a city and its surrounding countryside organized under a single government.

Ecclesia

The Athenian Assembly representing all four classes of citizens (determined by wealth) that voted on policy, served as a court, and enabled citizen political participation.

Agora

A plaza and marketplace in Athens where citizens gathered to trade goods, discuss politics, socialize, and attend lectures or discussion groups.

Plato

An Athenian teacher of higher education who founded his Academy ca. 387 BCE.

Academy

An institution of higher education founded ca. 387 BCE by Plato for young men interested in philosophy, rhetoric, and other subjects.

Aristotle

An Athenian teacher of higher education who founded his Lyceum in 335 BCE.

Lyceum

A school of higher education founded by Aristotle in 335 BCE.

Council of Four Hundred

An Athenian governing body established under the system beginning in 594 BCE that managed the daily business of the city.

Cleisthenes of Athens

An Athenian ruler who, beginning in 508 BCE, redefined a citizen as any free man living in the city regardless of ancestry, created the Council of Five Hundred, and expanded the power of the Ecclesia.

Council of Five Hundred

An Athenian governing council formed by Cleisthenes in 508 BCE whose members were selected by lottery.

Pericles

The leading statesman and military general of Athens who governed from 462 to 429 BCE and rebuilt the Acropolis using silver mine wealth and tribute from allies.

Acropolis

The high point of Athens that was rebuilt with decorated sites and monuments under Pericles.

Council of Elders

A Spartan governing body made up of 28 nobles who proposed laws and decided court cases.

Spartan Assembly

A governing body in Sparta representing all male citizens (all current or retired soldiers) that held the authority to approve or reject decisions made by the Council of Elders.

Ephors

Five citizens elected by the Spartan Assembly to oversee the military and monitor the actions of other governing groups.

Helots

Serfs from the conquered area of Messenia who worked the land for the Spartans between the eighth and fifth centuries BCE.

Military Oligarchy

A form of government by the few adopted by Sparta to maintain strict state control and a strong standing army.

Delian League

An alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens after the Persian Wars of the early fifth century BCE.

Peloponnesian League

An alliance of Greek city-states led by Sparta after the Persian Wars of the early fifth century BCE.

Peloponnesian War

A war fought from 431 to 404 BCE between the alliances led by Athens and Sparta, resulting in the ultimate defeat of Athens.

Battle of Leuctra

A battle in 371 BCE in which Thebes defeated Sparta, ending Sparta's dominance over Greece.