Hellenic and Hellenistic Civilizations: Geography, Values, and Politics Save Groups

8th Grade Global Test Ancient Greek

How did the geography of the Hellenic world shape its civilization?

Greece's rugged mountains and surrounding seas isolated communities, leading to the development of independent city-states (poleis) and diverse political systems.

How did the Hellenic civilization differ from river-valley civilizations like Egypt, India, and China?

Unlike river-valley civilizations, which were more unified and centralized, the Hellenic civilization was characterized by independent city-states.

What was the strategic significance of Crete in the development of Minoan society?

Crete's location in the eastern Mediterranean served as a major trade hub, allowing contact with Egypt and Mesopotamia, and helping the Minoans absorb new ideas and technologies.

What impact did the Mycenaean invasion have on Minoan civilization?

The Mycenaeans overtook Crete and mainland Greece, contributing to the decline of Minoan civilization and shifting power to Greek-speaking warrior societies.

What strategic advantage did Troy's location provide?

Troy was located near the Dardanelles, controlling trade routes between the Mediterranean and Black Seas, making it economically valuable and a target of trade rivalry.

What values are emphasized in the Iliad and the Odyssey?

The values include honor (timē), bravery in battle, loyalty to family and city, reputation and glory (kleos), and respect for the gods.

What are the traits of the Homeric hero?

Traits include courage, physical strength, intelligence, a strong sense of duty, desire for glory, and a close relationship with fate and the gods.

Define hubris in the context of ancient Greek values.

Hubris is excessive pride or self-confidence that offends the gods and leads to downfall.

What does arete mean in ancient Greek culture?

Arete refers to excellence or virtue; achieving one's highest potential as a person and hero.

What motivated Hector to fight in the Trojan War?

Hector fought to defend Troy, protect his family, and uphold his honor and duty.

What societal behaviors appalled Odysseus about the Cyclopes?

Odysseus was appalled because the Cyclopes rejected hospitality, ignored laws and community, and disrespected the gods.

What does Greek civilization require for a society to be considered civilized?

A civilized society requires hospitality, social order, community, moral responsibility, and respect for the gods.

What is Aristotle's claim about humans as political animals?

Aristotle argues that humans are naturally political due to their social instinct, ability to reason, and need for community.

What are the key characteristics of the polis?

The polis is a small-scale community with a central city, surrounding countryside, shared religious practices, and active citizen engagement in public affairs.

How did geography influence the development of the polis?

Greece's mountainous terrain and fragmented landscape isolated communities, encouraging local governance and the formation of independent city-states.

What was distinct about Spartan culture and politics?

Sparta emphasized military training, communal living, and a strict social hierarchy, with a focus on discipline and strength.

What role did women play in Spartan society?

Women in Sparta had more rights and responsibilities compared to other Greek city-states, including physical training and managing households.

How did the economic system in Sparta differ from that of Athens?

Sparta's economy was based on agriculture and state control, while Athens had a more diverse economy with trade and commerce.

What does the term 'freedom' mean in the context of Athens and Sparta?

In Athens, freedom was associated with participation in democracy, while in Sparta, it was linked to military service and communal living.

What commonalities existed between Athens and Sparta despite their differences?

Both city-states valued citizenship, had structured political systems, and were influenced by shared Greek culture and religion.

What type of society was Sparta?

An austere, militaristic society focused on loyalty to the polis.

Who is traditionally credited with creating Sparta's constitution?

Lycurgus

What was the political structure of Sparta designed to avoid?

Extremes of monarchy or democracy.

What was the role of the Senate (Gerousia) in Sparta?

To propose laws and act as the supreme court.

What was the primary focus of Spartan education (Agoge)?

To produce obedient, fearless soldiers.

What was the status of women in Sparta compared to other Greek city-states?

Spartan women had greater freedom and respect.

What economic system did Sparta implement?

Banned gold and silver currency, using heavy iron bars instead.

What was the primary role of women in Sparta?

To be mothers of warriors.

What was the focus of Athenian education?

Balanced physical and intellectual education.

What type of political system did Athens develop?

A democratic political system.

How did Athenian women differ from Spartan women?

Athenian women were more restricted and focused on household management.

What economic activities flourished in Athens?

Trade, commerce, and crafts.

What was the Athenian understanding of freedom?

Political rights and participation in government.

What did both Sparta and Athens prize?

Courage and honor.

Who were the key reformers of Athenian democracy?

Solon, Peisistratus, and Cleisthenes.

What did Solon do to change the Athenian government?

Ended debt slavery and reorganized citizens into classes based on wealth.

What was Peisistratus known for?

Seizing power unconstitutionally but ruling moderately and helping the poor.

What did Cleisthenes introduce to Athenian democracy?

True democracy and the concept of ostracism.

What social forces pushed for democracy in Athens?

Growth of hoplite warfare, expansion of trade, and rise of the navy.

Who could participate in Athenian politics?

Adult male citizens, including property-owning and non-elite citizens.

What was the Greek understanding of a 'tyrant'?

Someone who seized power unconstitutionally, not necessarily cruel.

What did ostracism mean in Athenian democracy?

Citizens voted to exile a powerful individual for 10 years.

What qualities did Pericles praise about Athens?

Equality before the law, merit over birth, and active political participation.

What differentiated Sparta's economy from Athens'?

Sparta relied on helot labor and banned trade, while Athens embraced trade and commerce.

What was the primary military focus of Sparta?

Military strength and discipline.

What was the cultural role in Sparta?

Strictly controlled, anti-intellectual, and focused on military discipline.

What was the cultural role in Athens?

Celebrated arts, philosophy, and civic pride.

What was the significance of the Persian Wars for Greek city-states?

It united them against a common enemy and showcased their military capabilities.

What were satrapies in the Persian Empire?

Provinces governed by satraps, balancing civil administration, military command, and tax collection.

How did Persian emperors govern diverse cultures?

By practicing religious tolerance, allowing local traditions, and demanding loyalty and taxes.

Why did many Greeks reject living under Persian rule?

They valued political freedom, viewed Persians as 'barbarians', and believed imperial rule meant loss of autonomy.

What motivated Darius to invade Greece?

To seek revenge for Athens' support of the Ionian Revolt and to expand the Persian Empire.

What was the significance of the Battle of Marathon?

It was a Persian land invasion defeated by Athenian hoplites, boosting Greek confidence.

What happened at the Battle of Salamis?

The Greek navy, using triremes, defeated the larger Persian fleet in a naval battle.

Why was the Athenian navy critical in the Persian Wars?

Athens had the largest and most maneuverable navy, which included poorer citizens motivated to defend their city.

What was Themistocles' strategy at Salamis?

He tricked Xerxes into attacking in narrow waters, neutralizing the Persian numerical advantage.

What was the Delian League?

An alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens to defend against Persia, which gradually became an Athenian empire.

What role did Athens assume after the Persian Wars?

Athens became the leader of Greek defense and used its naval power to dominate its allies.

What caused the conflict between Athens and Sparta?

Long-standing rivalry over influence, trade routes, and differing political ideologies.

What characterized Pericles' 'Golden Age' of Athens?

Political stability, expansion of democracy, and flourishing arts and architecture.

What led to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War?

Regional conflicts, Athenian interference in Spartan allies, and breakdown of truces.

What was Thucydides' perspective on the Peloponnesian War?

He viewed it as the most important conflict, revealing human nature under extreme conditions.

What impact did the Peloponnesian War have on Greek society?

Weakening of democratic ideals, rise of tyranny, and erosion of social cohesion.

What were the arguments presented by the Athenians in the Melian Dialogue?

They argued that 'might makes right' and that submission was safer than resistance.

How did the Melians respond to Athenian demands?

They appealed to justice and honor, refusing to surrender despite the risks.

What was the outcome of the conquest of Melos?

Athens conquered Melos, killing men and enslaving women and children, often viewed as a war crime.

What does Thucydides suggest about human nature in wartime?

He suggests that fear, self-interest, and ambition drive humans, leading to chaos and moral collapse.

What was the significance of the Socratic Method?

A form of cooperative argumentative dialogue that stimulates critical thinking and illuminates ideas.

Why was Socrates put on trial?

For allegedly corrupting the youth of Athens and impiety, which annoyed many Athenians.

What does the phrase 'Might makes right' signify in Athenian arguments?

It suggests that the strong impose their will on the weak, who must suffer the consequences.

What was Athens' claim regarding the safety of Melos?

Athens claimed it was safer for Melos to submit than to resist.

What was the consequence of resistance for Melos according to Athens?

Resistance would lead to total destruction.

What did the Melians appeal to in their response to Athens?

They appealed to justice, honor, and divine favor.

What was the outcome of Athens' conquest of Melos?

Athens killed the men and enslaved the women and children of Melos.

How do modern historians often classify Athens' actions in Melos?

As a war crime.

What does Thucydides' view suggest about international politics?

It suggests that international politics are governed by power rather than ethics.

What analogy does Thucydides use to describe state behavior?

The 'world of fishes' analogy, where states act like predators prioritizing survival over justice.

How did Socrates approach philosophical questions?

He asked deep, probing questions rather than lecturing or writing books.

What is the Socratic Method?

A method of dialogue that exposes contradictions in beliefs and forces clear definitions.

Why did Socrates annoy many Athenians?

He embarrassed politicians and questioned traditional authority.

What charges were brought against Socrates?

Impiety and corrupting the youth.

How did Socrates defend himself during his trial?

He claimed he was performing a public service and could not intentionally corrupt the youth.

Why did Socrates choose death over exile?

He believed obeying the law was a moral duty and preferred to die rather than abandon his philosophy.

What did Socrates believe about death?

He believed it was either a peaceful sleep or a transition to another existence.

How did Socrates' ideas challenge Athenian democracy?

He encouraged critical thinking that undermined authority and questioned the wisdom of the majority.

What did Pericles' Funeral Oration praise about Athens?

It praised Athens as free, open, intellectual, and democratic.

What did Socrates' execution reveal about Athenian democracy?

It revealed the limits of tolerance and the tension between free thought and civic unity.

Why did Plato argue that people should distrust their senses?

He believed the senses are unreliable and only provide opinions, not true knowledge.

What are the Forms in Plato's philosophy?

Perfect, eternal, and unchanging ideals that represent true reality.

Why did Plato think philosophers should rule?

Because they understand the Form of the Good and can govern for the good of the whole city.

What was Aristotle's view on the best forms of government?

He favored mixed government and rule by the middle class.

How did Aristotle's approach to philosophy differ from Plato's?

Aristotle rejected the Theory of Forms and focused on empirical observation.

What military reforms did Philip II of Macedon implement?

He created a professional army using the Macedonian phalanx and combined arms tactics.

What was Alexander the Great's goal at age 20?

To conquer the Persian Empire and achieve personal glory.

How did Alexander promote cultural fusion in his empire?

He encouraged intermarriage and adopted Persian customs while founding cities as centers of Greek culture.

What impact did Alexander's rule have on Middle Eastern culture?

It led to a blend of Greek culture with Persian, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian traditions.

What characterized the Hellenistic world after Alexander's death?

A shared Hellenistic culture despite the division of his empire among generals.

What were the differences between Hellenic and Hellenistic cultures?

Hellenic was polis-centered with citizen participation, while Hellenistic featured large monarchies and culturally mixed populations.