Unit 2 Western Civ

Major territories from south to north

peloponnesus, attica, beotia, thessaly, macedonia

impacts of greek geography

city states

time period of minoans

2000 - 1450 BCE

where were minoans located

in Aegian region on the island of Crete

what is different about the Minoans

not greek in language (linear A) or religion but did influence greeks

time period of myceneans

1400 - 1200 BCE

description of myceneans

located on hills, surrounded by stone walls, loose confederation of independent states, consisted of number of powerful monarchies

why was knossos significant

enormous palace complex, royal seat of kings, located on Crete

time period of dark age

1100 - 750 BCE

describe the dark age

lack of knowledge, drop in food production, migrations to islands

year of revival from dark age

850 BCE

Homer

creator of epic poems, one of the greatest poets of all time

polis

greek city state

acropolis

raised foritifed area of city where temples were placed

agora

open space where citizens assembled

time period of archaic age

800 - 490 BCE

describe the archaic age

period of growth in greek civilization, rise of city-states, colonization, early democracy, spread of greek alphabet

causes of colonization

poverty and land hunger, over population, trade

effects of colonization

greek culture diffused, greek identity developed, more trade/industry

hoplites

heavily armed infantry soldiers

phalanx

tight formation of hoplites overlapping shields + spears

lyric poetry

focused on personal emotions and feelings

art of archaic culture

poetry and sculpture

kouros

lifesize stone statues of young male nudes; resembles egyptian statues

sappho

greatest female lyric poet, from Lesbos

lycurgus

creditied with establishing the unique spartan constitution and political reforms

spartan military system

oligarchy

hierarchy of sparta

spartiates, perioikoi, helots

helots

captured serfs bound to the land

athenian political structure

direct democracy

athenian culture

focused on education and greek philosophy

solon (594 BCE)

abolished debt slavery, increased political access

cliesthenes (508 BCE)

“father of democracy” weakened aristocracy, created council of 500

pericles (461 - 429 BCE)

strengthened assembly, paid citizens for jury duty

causes of persian war

resistance of Greek city states to foreign rule. Greek support for revolts against persian rule (ionian revolt) = direct conflict

describe persian war

Greek city states vs. persia, began with ionian revolt. Greeks defended thier independence and prevented persian domination

effects of persian war

preservation of greek independence and rise of athens, led to golden age of athens, greek flourished

when was the battle of marathon

490 BCE

describe the battle of marathon

small force from plataea faced much larger persian army on plain of marathon, greece defeated persians despite being outnumbered, proved persians could be beat

when was the battle of thermopylae

480 BCE

describe battle of thermopylae

persian invasion of greece, small greek force held a narrow pass against larger persian army for 3 days. Greeks were defeated but it allowed for preparation

when was the battle of plataea

479 BCE

describe the battle of plataea

Greeks led by sparta defeated persian army and secured greek independence

causes of peloponessian war

growing power of athens scared sparta plus their control of Delian league

describe the peloponessian war

athens vs sparta, sieges, naval battles, internal conflicts, athens surrender

effects of peloponessian war

weakened greek city states led to political and economic instability, pared way for macedonian dominance

peloponessian league

alliance of greek city states led by sparta, goal was to protect the interests and security of its members against part of athens and other threats

delian league

alliance of greek city states led by athens, formed to defend against persian empire

herodotus (484 - 425 BCE)

“father of history” - wrote histories about persian wars

thucydides (460 - 400 BCE)

wrote history of peloponessian war, considered greatest historian of ancient world, emphasized accuracy and analysis (proof and facts)

where did greek dramas take place

amphitheaters

what were greek tragedies based on

suffering of a hero