Ancient Greece: Geography, Civilizations & Government Forms

Why was Greek land difficult for large-scale farming

Little suitable land for large farms, no broad river valleys, and no major level plains (it is hilly).

2. What did many Greeks depend on geographically to make a living?

The sea (protected harbors and bays made sea travel and trade essential).

3. Why did Greeks think of themselves as from a specific place rather than a united nation?

Divided by mountains and sea; easier to travel by sea than land; shared language and culture but no political unity yet.

4. The Iliad

Epic poem attributed to Homer; focuses on the wrath of Achilles during the final year of the Trojan War; originally an oral tradition.

5. The Odyssey

Epic poem attributed to Homer; follows Odysseus's adventures trying to return home after the Trojan War.

6. Homer

Traditional author of the Iliad and Odyssey; possibly a blind poet around 750 BC; may have been several people; stories were memorized and passed down orally.

7. Dark Age

Period of decline in cultural advancement (arts, crafts, and reading declined) roughly 1100-800 BC after the fall of the Mycenaeans.

8. Dorians

Nomadic invaders from the north who contributed to the collapse of Mycenaean civilization and the start of the Dark Age.

9. Shrines

Areas dedicated to honor the gods (especially associated with Minoan Crete / Palace of Knossos).

10. Frescoes

Watercolor paintings on plaster (used to decorate Minoan buildings such as the Palace of Knossos).

11. Who were the Minoans?

Civilization on the island of Crete named after the mythical king Minos; capital was Knossos; known for shrines and frescoes; declined by about 1300 BC due to war, possible volcanoes, and earthquakes.

12. Who were the Mycenaeans?

Mainland Greek civilization (approx. 1600-800 BC) whose culture was heavily influenced by the Minoans of Crete; much of what we know about them comes from Homer's epics; suffered internal war and Dorian invasions leading into the Dark Age.

Polis

Politics & Government Forms

13. Hellas / Hellenic / Hellenistic

Hellas = Greece; Hellenic = Greek; Hellenistic = Greek-like.

14. Polis

A community of free persons who make up a town/place; often translated as "city-state"; developed around 800 BC; each was independent but culturally Greek.

15. Politics

Word derived from "polis"; activities associated with the governance of people or a place.

16. Aristocrat

One having a high social rank (born to a noble/leading family).

17. Monarchy

Rule by a single person (a king) who has the final word in law by right; most city-states began this way.

18. Aristocracy

Rule by those born to leading/noble families, regardless of individual qualification.

19. Oligarchy

Rule by a few, usually landowners; many Greek city-states were oligarchies.

20. Democracy

Rule by the people (citizens only) by majority vote; all citizens vote on issues; "demos" = people. (Athens is the classic example; Solon and Cleisthenes were key reformers.)