Ancient Greece Unit Flashcards

Terms, Athens vs. Sparta

Fresco

the art of painting on freshly spread moist lime plaster with water-based pigments

Strait

 a comparatively narrow passageway connecting two large bodies of water

Epic

a long narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary or historical hero

Acropolis

the upper fortified part of an ancient Greek city (such as Athens)

Agora

a gathering place

especially : the marketplace in ancient Greece

Oration

A formal speech

Phalanx

a body of heavily armed infantry in ancient Greece formed in close deep ranks and files

Citizen

a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it 

a member of a state

Tyrant

an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution

one resembling an oppressive ruler in the harsh use of authority or power

Aristocracy

government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class

a class or group of people believed to be superior (as in rank, wealth, or intellect)

Assembly

A group of people gathered for discussion and legislation (to make laws).

Jury

A group of people who are members of the public and are chosen to make a decision (verdict) in a legal case.

Government

A group of people who make and change laws for a place or organization.

Monarchy

Rule by a single person 

Oligarchy

government by the few

Democracy

a form of government in which the people elect representatives to make decisions, policies, laws, etc. according to law

Constitution

A system of beliefs and laws by which a country or state is governed; a document that describes this system.

Minority

a part of a population thought of as differing from the rest of the population in some characteristics and often subjected to differential treatment

Majority

a number or percentage equaling more than half of a total

the group or political party having the greater number of votes (as in a legislature)

Alliance

an association to further the common interests of the members

Civil War

a war between opposing groups of citizens of the same country

Due to isolation that was produced by the mountains of southern Greece, this city-state became suspicious of outsiders and their ideas.  Therefore, travel was restricted to and from this city-state.

Ancient Sparta

Due to its proximity(closeness) to the Aegean Sea, this city-state encouraged travel and trade which helped spread and bring in ideas and new goods and create relationships with other places around the Mediterranean.

Ancient Athens

Claims to be the birthplace of democracy - “the rule of the people.”

Ancient Athens

Had an oligarchy (rule of a few) with two kings who led the city-state as well as serving as generals in the army.

Ancient Sparta

Main law-making body was the Assembly - a gathering place for all citizens to meet, discuss, and make laws/decisions.

Ancient Athens

Women did not participate in politics.

Ancient Athens and Ancient Sparta

City-state included a class of helots - a group of captured individuals who became slaves.  Many were needed so this city-state could concentrate their time and effort to their daily, military exercises.  

Ancient Sparta

Women has no rights and subject to the household

Ancient Athens

Women had some rights - more than any other city-state

Ancient Sparta

Strong navy

Ancient Athens

Strong army

Ancient Sparta

Taught reading, writing, math, music, poetry, philosophy and more in schools or academies.

Ancient Athens

Boys taken from parents at age 7 to start training for life in the military.  Learned the art of warfare and survival skills.

Ancient Sparta

Military camp for only two years from age 18-20.

Ancient Athens

Age 20, placed in ranks of military and at age 30, could marry but still lived in army housing.

Ancient Sparta

Education was important to the people of this city-state as they believed their government was dependent on having well-prepared citizens.  Educated citizens would result in a stronger government.

Ancient Athens

Girls received little to no education - only taught spinning, weaving and other household duties.

Ancient Athens

Girls educated in subjects and could participate in gymnastics and other sports. This was thought to produce strong, healthy babies.

Ancient Sparta

Women enjoyed freedoms - could move around, own property and looked over property when husband was away.

Ancient Sparta

Women were kept at home and considered property of their husbands

Ancient Athens

Simple Lifestyle - no luxuries

Ancient Sparta

Democracy with the rule of the people

Ancient Athens

Enjoyed luxuries and foods from all over their empire due to their ability to travel and trade.

Ancient Athens

Emphasis on developing culture → art, education, architecture, drama/theater, science, philosophy and more.

Ancient Athens

Why did the ancient Greeks believe in a polytheistic faith, just like all the ancient civilizations we studied this year? 

• Human Actions

• Natural Forces

Who was considered to be the top god of the ancient Greeks?

Zeus

Where did the gods and goddesses supposedly live?

• Mt. Olympus

In class discussions, students cannot believe that the ancient people practiced these types of religions back in ancient days.  Do you think there will come a time when people in the future will look at our religions and think the same way?

• Yes, I believe so because like how times have changed since then, which is why we don’t believe them, times will change in the future and people will come up with different religions and people will look back one day and wonder how we practiced the types of religions we do.

What is another name for a city-state in ancient Greece?

Polis

Define an acropolis.

• An acropolis was a higher raised part of the polis that had governmental and political buildings.

What is the role of an agora?

• A meeting place also a place that has shops (a market place)

What were the requirements for someone to participate in government in the polis?

• Had to be a man and it depended on  your birthplace.

Which groups were not allowed to participate in their polis’s government?

• Women, Slaves, Foreigners

What is the difference between a hoplite and a phalanx?

• A hoplite is a single soldier while a phalanx is lots of hoplites lined up. 

Which empire stretched from the outskirts of Greece down through Egypt all the way to India that threatened Greece after the Ionian city-states revolted?

• Persian Empire

What was the conflict between the Greek city-states and Persia called?

• The Battle at Thermopylae

Who was Pheidippides and explain his importance?

• He was a young man who ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens.

What was formed following the Persian Wars to stop future Persian invasion?

•  The Delian League

Which Greek polis came to dominate Greece following the Persian Wars?

Athens

What was the conflict between Sparta and Athens called?

• The Peloponnesian War

What were the causes of the Peloponnesian War?

• Athens dominates Delian League, Anti-Athenian feelings spread throughout Greece, Sparta and Allies form the Peloponnesian League.

What were the effects of the Peloponnesian Wars?

• Athenian Power decreases/Overall Greek power, New power rises in the north- Macedonia

• Mountains were barriers of communication, transportation and interaction = isolated.  Therefore…

• Residents of city-states were loyal to their particular city-state, NOT to overall Greece.

Greece is part of the..

Balkan Penisula

 Mountains divide the peninsula into..

isolated valleys

About three fourths of Greece is covered by..

mountains

highest mountain called? Also where the gods..?

Mt. Olympus : lived

hundreds of?

rocky islands

did not create a large empire but built many small?

city-states

this led to endless ____ and frequent ___

rivalry : Wars 😡

the seas were a vital _____ to the world outside.

link

the ____ Sea and the neighboring ____ and _____ seas united the greek people.

Mediterranean, Aegean, Ionian

bays provided _____ for the ships

harbor

became skilled _____ carrying cargoes of_____, _______ and _____ around the Mediterranean.

sailors, olive oil, wine, marble

returned not only with grains and metals, but with ____ which they ______; for example, expanded the ________.

ideas, adapted, Phoenician Alphabet

Conflict within a country or land between its own citizens

Civil War

On what island did the first Greek civilization called the Minoans arise?

Crete

What was the mythical monster called that Theseus battled in labyrinth (maze)

underneath the place city of Knossos?

Minotaur

. Which early Greek civilization, which started on the Greek mainland, overran the

Minoans?

Mycenaeans

What was the conflict called between the city-state of Troy and the civilization

above?

Trojan War

What was the mythical cause of the Trojan war?

gods interfering, the beauty competition, the kidnapping of Helen by Paris.

What was the real cause?

Competition for trade power in the region

The cause of the Persian Wars was when the Ionians revolt against the Persians, the Greek

city-state of ___ comes to their aid. The Persian Empire then vows to destroy all the Greece

Athens

1. TRUE or FALSE - The gods of Olympus were unaging, death never came to them, and they had passions and weaknesses like humans which they had to take fault for and take responsibility.

TRUE

Describe the terrain of Greece.

Lots of mountains and seas surrounding, split into tiny islands.

Which civilization developed on the Greek mainland after the Minoans that supposedly conquered the Minoans?

Myceneans

Characteristics of Zeus

Father of gods and mortals (people) Did not create the gods or people but was father in being their protector and ruler. Married to Hera

Characteristics of Posiden

Responsible for natural events, mainly ones associated with water.

Characteristics of Hera

Wife of Zeus - always jealous and suspicious

Characteristics of Athena

Sprang full=grown and armored from the forehead of Zeus Official god of Athens; Parthenon built in her honor

Characteristics of Apollo

Master archer and fleeted-footed athlete

Symbol of Artemis

Bow

Long Spear

Characteristics of Hades

Underworld named after him and lived there in darkness and silence.

Characteristics of Ares

Personified the brutal nature of war therefore unpopular among the gods and people.

Characteristics of Hephestus

Born lame, ugly, and weak - cast out then brought back. Made the 12 thrones of Olympus and the god's weapons and treasures.

Characteristics of Aphrodite

Loved by many gods and humans - attractive and elegant. Involved in Trojan War!

Characteristics of Hermes

Main role was a messenger - wore winged-sandals - speediest of all gods.

Characteristics of Demeter

Taught people to plant and plow the land so they could settle in 1 place.

The _______ were the main gods of Ancient Greece.

Olympian Gods