Classical Greece

Village chieftains during ancient Greece. Considered the Kings or rulers of their city-states. Political and Religious Leaders.

Basileus

“Rule of the Few”; A government run by a group of people, usually wealthy aristocrats.

Aristocracy / Oligarchy

Rule seized by one person, usually by overthrow. Not always seen negatively at the time, because the ruler usually came from a previously marginalized group.

Tyranny

“Rule of the Mob”; Rule of the majority. Whatever group has more people holds power.

Democracy

The governors in Athenian democracy, Only served one year terms

Arkhons

Athenian council that holds the most power

Boule

Athenian Council that is comprised of former Arkhons and functions as somewhat of a supreme court.

Areopagos

Athenian name for the common voter that proposed policy and voted on political decisions. ONLY MEN.

Assembly

Athenian legislator the put in place the first law code that was extremely harsh laws similar to Hammurabi. Made Athens an Artistocracy.

Draco

Athenian man who was given free hand over the law code reformed it after Draco, and made it much more reasonable. His reforms laid the groundwork for the future Athenian democracy.

Solon

Took control after a power struggle following Solon leaving Athens. His sons are eventually overthrown, leading to another power struggle.

Pisistratus

Reformer that took control after Pisistratus. He established a constitution that instated the Athenian democracy. Reforms include 10 tribes, All Men are in Assembly, Ostracism, Equality under law, and freedom of speech.

Kleisthenes

Annual elections decide who could possibly become a tyrant, and those who get too many votes are cast out for 10 years. Prevents one person from getting too much influence.

Ostracism

No Professional Bureaucrats (No one served Council more than once) and Each Citizen could hold office.

2 Charateristics of Athenian Democracy

The Greek name for a town a.k.a. the city states.

Polis

When smaller villages come together to make one large city with united government/politics.

Synoikism

The inner fortress of a Greek polis, usually heavily fortified and place on a hill

Acropolis

The center of political and economical activity in a Greek Polis. Think of it like the town squares of modern cities.

Agora

Heavily armored fighters that fought in the phalanx formation and made up the bulk of Greek militarizes. Typically middle class workers that were interested in the protection of the Polis

Hoplite

A military formation of heavily armed infantry arranged in close ranks used in ancient Greece. Their shields overlapped each other to create one big wall of armor.

Phalanx

The traditional name for Greek city state Sparta

Laikadamion

The man who is credited with creating the Spartan form of government. He established many of the systems that Sparta used throughout its existence.

Lykourgos

The citizens and warriors of Spartan society; Men that went through the Agoge and passed.

Homoioi

Men who went through the Agoge and did not pass. They were not warriors, but rather just lived in Sparta.

Perioikoi

The captured people a.k.a. slaves that worked the Spartan agriculture and served the Spartan citizens. Controlled by the Homoioi.

Helots

The mountain where Spartan newborns were examined to see if they were fit to be true Spartans. If not, they were thrown off the mountain.

Apothetae

The intense education program that was designed to make the most ruthless and capable warriors possible. Boys joined at 7 and were tested on an annual basis. After graduating, they were apart of the Homoioi.

Agoge

Kings- Had ceremonial power. Kingship was hereditary and were military and religious leaders

Ephors- Actually more powerful than kings, and served as administators of Sparta

Gerousia- Council of elders that advised the kings and held significant influence over legislation

Assembly- All citizens that could vote on topics purposed by higher ups

Spartan Government System

The result of the second persian invasion of Greece, where the outnumbered Athenian/Spartan army defeated the persian army by a great margin.

Battle of Marathon

The General that led the Greeks in the battle of Marathon.

Miltiades

The battle of the third invasion of Greece where Xerxes launched a giant force of Persians. The Greeks (300 Spartans and 1000 Athenians) made a heroic stand against overwhelming odds in a narrow straight, eventually leading to Persian victory.

Battle of Thermopylai

The fourth invasion of Greece where Xerxes sends 1200 ships to attack the gathered Greeks. The Greeks defeated the Persian navy through superior tactics as Xerxes watched.

Battle of Salamis

Final battle of the Persian Wars where the Persians are defeated by Athens and Xerxes is murdered shortly after.

Battle of Plataiai

Greek Alliance to protect against future foreign invasion of Greece that was organized by Athens. Treasury was held at Delos, and eventually Athens

Delian League

Athenian general and statesman, instrumental in establishing the Delian League's power.

Cimon

Early leader of the Delian league who was the Greek naval leader. He helped win the battle of Salamis

Themistocles

Leader of Athens during the start of the Peloponnesian War and started the beginning of the Athenian Golden Age. The golden age was a time of great prosperity and democracy in Athens. Built long walls to Piraeus, the coastal harbor city.

Pericles

King of Sparta during the Peloponnesian War, known for his strategic military leadership against Athens.

Archidamus II

General in the peloponnesian war who came into the spotlight after Pericles Death. Known for his aggressive policies and opposition to peace with Sparta.

Cleon

An Athenian general during the Peloponnesian War, and arranged the Peace of Nicias that was ultimately unsuccessful.

Nicias

An Athenian politician and general during the Peloponnesian War, known for his shifting allegiances between Athens, Sparta, and Persia.

Alcibiades

Spartan Admiral that led the Spartans to victory in the Battle of Aegospotami. He played a key role in ending the Peloponnesian War.

Lysander

Naval battle that ended in all of the prominent Athenian Naval Leaders in jail, even though it was Athenian victory over Sparta.

Arginusae

A pivotal naval battle in 405 BC where the Spartan fleet, led by Lysander, decisively defeated the Athenians, leading to the end of the Peloponnesian War.

Aegospotomi

1. Death of Pericles

2. Failed Sicilian Expedition

3. Defection of Alkibiades

4. Persian alliance with Sparta

5. Defeat at Arginusae

6. Defeat at Aegospotomi

Turning Points of the Peloponnesian War

Theban army led by Epaminondas defeats the Spartans, marking the rise of Theban power in Greece.

Battle of Leuktra