Ancient Greece: Archaic to Classical Period Overview

Archaic Period

Period from ca. 800 to 500 B.C.E.

Dorians

Nomadic warriors who defeated Mycenaeans around 750 B.C.E.

Mycenaean Culture

Culture absorbed by Dorians, forming Greek identity.

Homeric Myths

Myths that contributed to Greek national identity.

Iliad and Odyssey

Epic poems attributed to Homer.

First Olympic Games

Held in 776 B.C.E. at Olympia.

Polis

Independent city-state controlling surrounding rural areas.

Doric Dialect

Spoken in Sparta, dominant in the Dorian polis.

Ionic Dialect

Spoken in Athens, dominant in the Ionic polis.

Peloponnesian War

Conflict between Athens and Sparta for dominance.

Athenian Democracy

Government by the people established by 450 B.C.E.

Draco

Established the first Athenian law code in 621 B.C.E.

Solon

Eliminated debt slavery in 594 B.C.E.

Peisistratus

Redistributed land to peasants in 546 B.C.E.

Cleisthenes

Created the Council of 500 in 508 B.C.E.

Council of 500

Athenian assembly presided by elected archons.

Ostracism

Exile of individuals opposing democratic ideals.

Athenian Society

Men ran government; women managed households.

Helots

Serfs working for Sparta, significantly outnumbering citizens.

Spartan Government

Ruled by a council of kings and nobles.

Ares

God of war, patron of Sparta.

Delian League

Alliance led by Athens for mutual protection.

Parthenon

Temple in Athens, symbolizing Athenian power.

Thucydides

Historian who documented the Peloponnesian War.

Syracuse Campaign

Disastrous Athenian attack in 415 B.C.E.

Macedonian Rule

Unified Greece under King Philip II in 336 B.C.E.

Spartan Society

Emphasized military training and discipline.

Athenian Empire

Dominated by Athens, often coercing city-states.

Spartan Women

Educated and managed property, no political rights.

Athenian Men

Citizens involved in politics and culture.

Helot Revolts

Rebellions by Helots against Spartan control.