Ancient Greek Civilization and Its Key Events

Trojan War

A war that lasted about 2 years during the 1200s BC where Mycenaeans fought Troy, an independent city.

Helot

Peasants forced to stay on the land they worked.

Phalanx

A body of troops or soldiers standing and moving close together in a formation.

Persian Wars

A series of wars between Greek states and Persia, particularly two invasions of Greece by Persia.

Minoans

Inhabited the island of Crete around 2000 BC and were destroyed by a natural disaster.

Olympic Games

Began around 776 BC and were held every 4 years.

Greek City-States

Settled into city-states around 750 BC after the Dark Ages, each called a polis.

Agora

A public meeting place in each city-state.

Mycenaean

People who settled on the Greek mainland around 2000 BC. Their name came from their main city, Mycenae which is located in southern Greece.

Dorian

The Dorians were not as advanced as the Myceneans, they spoke a dialect of the Greek language and little is known about this period of time because between 1150 and 750 BC there was no written record.

Homer

The greatest storyteller who was a blind man and composed epics, including the 'Iliad'.

Epic

Narrative poems celebrating heroic deeds, composed sometime between 750 and 700 BC.

Myth

Traditional stories about their gods that explained the changing of seasons.

Polis

The city-state that was the fundamental political unit in ancient Greece.

Acropolis

A marketplace, or on a fortified hilltop where citizens gathered to discuss city government.

Monarchy

A government ruled by a single person, called a king.

Aristocracy

A government ruled by a small group of noble, landowning families.

Oligarchy

A government ruled by a few powerful people.

Tyrant

Powerful individuals, usually nobles or wealthy citizens, who seized control of the government by appealing to the common people for support.

Democracy

A government ruled by the people.

Hoplite

Greek soldiers who were expected to fight for their city-state.

Delian League

An alliance of 140 Greek city-states formed after the Persian Wars, controlled by Athens.

Pericles

Leader of Greece from 461-429 BC who strengthened Athenian democracy and built a commercial empire.

Geography of Greece

Influenced Greek history; the mainland is cut up into small parts by short mountain ranges, which separated communities.

Trade in Greece

Prospered because the seas made it possible to reach three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Bronze Age

The period during which early civilizations of Greece developed.

Dark Ages

Period from 1150-750 BC when much of Greek legend was preserved by bards who told epics.

Great Navy

Naval force to protect Greek shipping interests.

Parthenon

Temple in Athens honoring goddess Athena.

Greek Columns

Architectural features exemplifying Greek design.

Tragedy

Dramatic genre featuring heroic downfall.

Peloponnesian War

Conflict between Sparta and Athens, ended in 404 BC.

Socrates

Philosopher known for the Socratic method.

Plato

Socrates' student, wrote 'The Republic'.

Aristotle

Plato's student, focused on logic and reasoning.

Philip of Macedonia

Unified Greece, respected Athens' leadership.

Alexander the Great

Conquered Persia, Egypt, and parts of India.

Hellenism

Cultural blend of Greek and Eastern influences.

City-States

Independent communities due to geographical barriers.

Sparta

Military-focused city-state with strict societal roles.

Helots

Enslaved people working for Spartan citizens.

Athenian Democracy

Government where male citizens participated directly.

Role of Women in Sparta

Freer lifestyle, allowed to own property.

Role of Women in Athens

Limited rights, primarily homemakers without education.

Causes of Peloponnesian War

Power struggles among Greek city-states.

Plague of Athens

Killed one-fourth of Athens' population during war.

Results of Peloponnesian War

Weakened Greek city-states, led to Macedonian invasion.

Public Buildings in Athens

Designed beautifully, reflecting Athenian values.

Athens' Interests

Valued art, literature, science, and philosophy.

Spartan Education

Focused on military training from age 7.

Macedonian Invasion

Led by Alexander after the Peloponnesian War.

Greek Contributions

Influenced Western civilization in various fields.

Philosophy in Greece

Exploration of fundamental questions about existence.