Greece

Republic

A state where power was shared among citizens, often mixing democracy and oligarchy, focusing on the common good rather than just one group.

Thermopylae

A three day stand where a small Greek force, famously led by 300 Spartans under king Leonids, fought a massive invading Persian army led by king Xerxes l. The Greeks held Persians for two days. Persians won.

Helot

State owned serfs or unfree laborers for farming and providing food and labor for spartan citizens.

Polis

A small independents community centered around a city with its own government, laws and customs.

Ionian sea

West of Greek mainland, east of southern Italy.

Salamis

A victory for the outnumbered Greeks against the massive Persian fleet, led by king Xerxes, in the narrow straits near Athens during the Greco Persian Wars.

Athens

Invented democracy, lead Delian league, major polis of Ancient Greece.

Oligarchy

A government where power was held by a small group of wealthy, influential individuals who made decisions for the city states, often using their wealth and status to control.

Greco - Persian

Greeks v. Persia

Caused by: sparked by Persian King Darius l to expand territory

Led to Greek confidence after winning, Athenian Golden age

Direct Democracy

A system where eligible male citizens gathered in an assembly to directly vote on laws, policies, and leaders, rather than electing representatives.

Mediterranean Sea

Central to Ancient Greece

Persia

Powerful empire, Greeces rival during Greco- Persian wars.

Marathon

A decisive victory for outnumbered Athenian Greeks against the invading Persian Empire, proving the might of citizen soldiers and Greeks tactics.

Macedonia

Kingdom under Philip ll and Alexander the Great, unified Greece and started Hellenistic Age.

Peloponnesian War

Athens v. Sparta

Caused by rising Athenian power, sparking fear in Sparta and allies

Sparta devastated Greece, ended Athens golden age.

Acropolis

The high city, a fortified elevated part of a city built on a hill, serving as a defensive cute and religious center with temples.

Sparta

Dominant land power in Greece, strongest army

Peloponnesus Peninsula

Mountains region, Sparta is located here

Philip ll

King of Macedonia, unified Greece by defeating Athens and Thebes.

Alexander The Great

King of Macedonia, conquered Persian Empire.

Aegean Sea

Part of Mediterranean between Western Greece and Eastern Turkey.

Democracy

Rule by the people. Direct system where eligible male citizens voted on laws and policies in an assembly.

Greco - Persian battles

Thermopylae, marathon, Salamis, Platea

Platea

The final battle of the second Persian invasion of Greece, where a united Greek Force, led by Spartans and Athenians, crushing the invading Persian army under Mardonius.