Ancient Greece Western Civ Midterm

Geographic characteristics of Greece

Mountainous land with many islands that led to isolated city

Polis

A Greek city

Arete

Greek concept of striving for excellence and virtue

Athens

Greek city

Sparta

Greek city

Persian Wars

Wars between Greece and Persia caused by Persian expansion; included Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis and ended in Greek victory

Golden Age of Athens

Period of cultural achievement under Pericles including drama, architecture, and democracy

Peloponnesian War

War between Athens and Sparta that weakened Greece and ended Athenian dominance

Delian League

Alliance of Greek city

Herodotus

Historian known as the “Father of History” who wrote about the Persian Wars

Thucydides

Historian who wrote an accurate, factual account of the Peloponnesian War

Socrates

Philosopher who taught by asking questions to encourage critical thinking

Plato

Student of Socrates who wrote The Republic and believed in philosopher

Aristotle

Student of Plato who wrote about science, logic, and politics

Philip II

King of Macedonia who conquered and united Greece

Alexander the Great

Macedonian ruler who conquered Persia and spread Greek culture

Hellenistic culture

Blend of Greek, Persian, Egyptian, and Indian cultures

Achievements of Hellenistic culture

Advances in math, science, medicine, architecture, and learning