Classical World Review

These flashcards cover key concepts and details from the Classical World lecture notes, including geography, cultural influences, political structures, and significant events.

Geography of Greece

The mountainous terrain led to the development of independent city-states.

Minoan Culture

Wealthy civilization that maintained order through power and governance.

Mycenaean Culture

Civilization that displayed stability through warfare and built protective walls.

Homer

Legendary Greek poet known for 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey', considered foundational texts of Greek culture.

Democracy in Athens

Developed through reforms by figures like Solon and Cleisthenes; focused on participation and final votes by the assembly.

Sparta vs. Athens

Sparta focused on military training while Athens emphasized education, art, and debate.

Status of Women in Sparta and Athens

Spartan women had rights such as property ownership, while Athenian women were restricted and could not own property.

Peloponnesian War

Conflict driven by fear of Athenian power; resulted in the defeat and destruction of Athens.

Mount Olympus

Home of the Greek gods, serving as a spiritual anchor for Greek religion and culture.

Plato's Theory of Ideal Forms

Belief that the physical world is a mere shadow of a higher reality of perfect forms.

Aristotle's Realism

Belief that forms exist within objects, requiring study of the physical world to understand reality.

Hellenization

The spread of Greek culture and influence throughout the Middle East after Alexander's conquests.

Alexander 'The Great'

Justified title due to his extraordinary military conquests and cultural impact.

Roman Army

The backbone of the Roman Empire, influencing trade and expanding territory.

Etruscans

Early civilization contributing to Roman engineering and military organization.

Roman Twelve Tables

First written laws ensuring plebeians knew their rights.

Law of Nations

Natural law code applying to all people, introducing the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty'.

Punic Wars

Significant conflicts that positioned Rome as a dominant Mediterranean superpower.

Gracchus Brothers

Tiberius and Gaius, known for their land reforms aimed at helping the poor.

Marius' Recruitment Method

Controversial method of recruiting landless individuals loyal to generals, undermining the Republic.

Caesar's Assassination

Driven by fears of tyranny; their act ultimately led to civil war.

Octavian/Augustus

Transitioned Rome from Republic to Empire while retaining the appearance of republican structures.

Pax Romana

A 200-year period of relative peace allowing trade and cultural growth in Rome.

Five Good Emperors

Known for moderate rule and significant building projects, contributing to stability.

Sources of Slavery in Rome

Included war captives and debtors; slaves had more possibilities for high-status roles.

Roman Forum

Central marketplace and site of public life, politics, and commerce in Rome.

Roman vs. Greek Religion

Similar in pantheon but different in focus on civic duty and state rituals.

Roman Engineering and Infrastructure

Significant advancements like aqueducts and roads supporting a large empire.

Housing in Rome

Poor lived in dangerous insulae, prone to collapse and fire.

Bread and Circus

Government strategy to placate the masses with food and entertainment to prevent unrest.

Paterfamilias

The eldest male in a family with absolute legal authority.

Gladiators

Typically slaves trained for combat, representing both entertainment and state power.

Jesus' Significance

Introduced messages of spiritual equality that transformed the Roman religious landscape.

Silk Road

Primary trade link facilitating exchanges between Rome and Han China.

Paul's Role in Christianity

Traveled to convert non-Jews; benefited from Pax Romana for safe travel.

Decline of Rome Issues

Included economic troubles like heavy taxes and military issues from civil wars.

Theories for Fall of Rome

Include lead poisoning, rise of Christianity, and internal decay, with most agreeing on economic weakness.

Geography of Greece

Mountains divided Greece into many areas, leading to the development of independent city-states.

Minoan culture

Known for using wealth to show power and enforce order in government.

Mycenaean culture

Demonstrated stability through warfare, constructing walls to protect cities.

Homer

An ancient Greek poet whose works, like the Iliad and Odyssey, formed a textbook of Greek culture.

Solon

Reformed Athenian society by ending the practice of enslaving poor people.

Cleisthenes

Reformed the constitution of Athens, influencing democracy and restructuring electoral divisions.

Athens vs. Sparta

Athens focused on education and arts while Sparta emphasized military training.

Status of women in Sparta

Women had rights, could own property, and participated in daily life; contrasted with Athenian restrictions.

Peloponnesian War causes

Fears surrounding Athenian power led to the conflict, ending with Athens' defeat.

Mount Olympus

Home of the mythical Greek gods and a spiritual anchor for Greek culture.

Plato's theory of ideal forms

Belief that the physical world is a shadow of a perfect, higher reality.

Aristotle's realism

Belief that form exists within physical objects and understanding reality requires studying them.

Hellenization

Spread of Greek language, culture, and architecture throughout the Middle East.

Alexander the Great

Known for creating a vast empire and influencing world culture; justified title due to his achievements.

Roman army significance

Considered the backbone of the empire, responsible for trade, road construction, and territorial expansion.

Twelve Tables

Rome's first written laws that protected plebeian rights from patrician judges.

Law of Nations

Natural law code introducing the idea of being 'innocent until proven guilty'.

Punic Wars significance

By defeating Carthage, Rome became the dominant superpower in the Mediterranean.

Gracchus brothers

Significant for attempts at land reform and their assassinations marking political violence in Rome.

Marius' recruitment method

Controversial for creating loyalty to generals rather than the state, leading to private armies.

Assassination of Julius Caesar

Carried out by Senate members who feared he intended to become a tyrant; led to civil war.

Octavian's transition of Rome

Shifted Rome from a Republic to an Empire while maintaining the appearance of a Republic.

Pax Romana

A 200-year period of relative peace and stability, allowing for trade and cultural growth in Rome.

Five Good Emperors

Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius known for moderate rule and stability.

Sources of Roman slaves

Primarily war captives, pirates, and sold children; slavery was not based on race.

Roman Forum significance

The central marketplace and heart of public life in Rome.

Roman vs. Greek religion

Rome adopted Greek gods but focused more on state rituals and civic duty.

Roman engineering significance

Roads, aqueducts, and concrete use allowed Rome to support a large population and military.

Housing in Rome

Poor lived in insulae, which were dangerous due to their cheap construction and prone to collapse.

Bread and circus

Government policy of providing free grain and entertainment to prevent revolts.

Paterfamilias

Eldest male head of the Roman household with legal power over family and slaves.

Gladiators significance

Trained slaves or criminals serving as entertainment and symbols of Roman power.

Jesus significance

Introduced a message of spiritual equality and eternal life, transforming the Roman religious landscape.

Silk Roads importance

Primary trade link between Rome and Han China, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas.

Paul's role in Christianity

Traveled to convert non-Jews, leveraging the conditions of Pax Romana for safe travel.

Decline of Rome problems

Economic issues like heavy taxes and high inflation, military problems including civil wars.

Theories for the fall of Rome

Include lead poisoning and barbarian invasions; many agree on internal decay as a key factor.