Pericles, Parthenon, and Peloponnesian wars

Acropolis

literally, “city at the top.” Centerpiece of every Greek city; used religious and defense purposes. 

The most famous one, the Acropolis, is in Athens

Callicrates & Ictinus

primary architects of the Parthenon

Cimon

conservative political rival of Pericles

Pericles financed a play that criticized him, accused him of being a Spartan sympathizer, and got him ostracized

Delian League

Alliance of Athens and its allies against the Persians

member city states paid taxes to Athens to be protected by the Athenian navy.

Columns

Architectural feature of many Greek structures; 

Three main types: Ionic, Doric, Corinthian

Metopes

carvings of gods and mythical creatures that surround the Parthenon above the columns

Parthenon

Most famous structure atop the Acropolis; built under Pericles;

Contained 30 ft statue of Athena (no longer there)

Used for various purposes, including gun powder storage by the Turkish Army

Peloponnesian League

Alliance of Sparta and its allies; to be a member a city state had to swear to have the same enemies as Sparta & allow its troops to be commanded by Sparta.

Peloponnesian War

War fought between Athens and Sparta; fought in two stages; most important stage was from 431 to 404 BCE; Sparta “wins”, but both sides are so weakened that Macedonia to the north shortly takes over.

Pericles

Most important politician during Golden Age of Athens;

Oversaw building of Parthenon

Passed laws making theater/arts free for the poor

Passed laws so citizens would be paid for jury duty/civil service

Led successful military campaign in Corinth

Established Athenian colonies in Northern Greece & on Black Sea

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Elected Strategos

Piraeus

port city \~4 miles from Athens. Walled roads connected the two so that Athens could still receive supplies during siege

Plague

Widespread illness; When Athens was under siege and the majority of its citizens were living in close quarters, plague spread killing \~10,000, including Pericles and his two sons.

Propylaea

Any monumental gateway in ancient Greek architecture. The most famous example is the propylaea that serves as the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens

Shinocephalos

Nickname of Pericles; literally means “Sea Onion Head”

Siege

Military tactic of surrounding a city to cut off all essential supplies.

Strategos

Athenian general.

Xanthippus

Father of Pericles; hero from the Persian Wars