Geography and Culture in Ancient Greece and Rome

Geography of Greece

Many bodies of water aided trade and fishing.

City-states

Independent cities with own governments and armies.

Athens

Focused on education and public speaking.

Sparta

Military-focused city-state with harsh training.

Persian Wars

Conflicts between Greek city-states and Persia.

Delian League

Alliance led by Athens against Persia.

Peloponnesian League

Alliance led by Sparta against Athens.

Battle of Thermopylae

Famous stand of Spartan 300 against Persians.

Battle of Salamis

Naval battle won by Athens.

Battle of Marathon

First major battle; distance of 26.2 miles.

Pericles

Expanded Athenian democracy during the Golden Age.

Hellenistic Culture

Cultural blend from Alexander's conquests.

Homer

Author of the Iliad and Odyssey epics.

Herodotus

Considered the father of history.

Thucydides

Wrote detailed history of the Peloponnesian War.

Arete

Concept of excellence and striving for the best.

Socrates

Philosopher known for questioning and critical thinking.

Plato

Believed in ideal forms and perfection.

Aristotle

Emphasized logic, reason, and empirical research.

Mediterranean Sea

Key body of water for trade in Greece.

Aegean Sea

Sea located between Greece and Turkey.

Ionian Sea

Sea to the west of Greece.

Gravitas

Actions promoting excellence for a country.

Republic

Government allowing citizen voting for leaders.

Struggle of the Orders

Conflict between plebeians and patricians for power.

Plebeians

Lower class with no real power or mobility.

Patricians

Wealthy class holding all political power.

Twelve Tables

Publicly displayed laws for citizen awareness.

Monarchy

Form of government with a single ruler.

Roman Citizenship

Full citizenship for Romans, partial for others.

Roman Confederation

Alliances formed by captured individuals for freedom.

Significance of Roman Law

Applied to all, influencing modern legal systems.

Punic Wars

Conflicts between Rome and Carthage for dominance.

Hannibal

Carthaginian general who invaded Italy via Alps.

Civil Wars in Rome

Resulted from political and social inequality struggles.

Latifundia

Large estates owned by wealthy landowners.

Gracchi Brothers

Tiberius and Gaius who sought land reforms.

Marius

Military leader advocating for reforms to aid poor.

Sulla

Military leader who seized control, igniting civil war.

First Triumvirate

Alliance of Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus for power.

Second Triumvirate

Alliance of Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus post-Caesar.

Julius Caesar

Reformer and director, assassinated due to power fears.

Octavian/Augustus

First Emperor, established Pax Romana.

Pax Romana

Period of peace and stability in Rome.

Good Emperors

Five emperors known for effective governance.

Hadrian's Wall

Defensive fortification in Britain, still exists.

Marcus Aurelius

Philosopher king, author of 'Meditations'.

Nero

Emperor who persecuted Christians after Rome's fire.

Greco-Roman Culture

Blend of Greek and Roman arts and ideas.

Livy

Historian who chronicled Roman history.

Virgil

Poet known for 'Aeneid', linking Rome to Troy.

Aqueducts

Structures transporting water to cities.

Coliseum

Arena for gladiatorial contests.

Circus Maximus

Venue for chariot races.

Latin

Common language of Rome, influencing modern tongues.

Bread and Circuses

Government distraction through food and entertainment.

Diocletian

Split the Roman Empire into East and West.

Constantine

Legalized Christianity and moved the capital.

Edict of Milan

Legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Christianity's Spread

Spread through persecution, now legalized.

Teachings of Jesus

Promoted love, forgiveness, and salvation belief.

Paul

Key follower of Jesus, spread Christianity.

Monks and Monasteries

Provided education and community support.

Missionaries

Traveled to spread Christianity and establish churches.

The Franks

United Europe and influenced culture and law.

King Clovis

First Frankish king to convert to Christianity.

Battle of Tours

Stopped Muslim advance into Europe in 732.

Charlemagne

Expanded empire and promoted learning and laws.

Pope Gregory I

Strengthened pope's political role and spread Christianity.

Ordeals

Painful tests to determine innocence.

Byzantine Empire

Preserved Roman law and Greek culture.

Constantinople

Capital of the Byzantine Empire, lasted 330-1453 AD.

Patriarchs

Religious leaders of Eastern Orthodox Church.

Justinian's Code

Influenced modern legal systems from Roman laws.

Feudalism

Political order based on land and loyalty.

Viking Impact

Raided and settled, influencing trade and feudalism.

European Feudal Society

Structured with kings, lords, vassals, and serfs.

Chivalry

Code of conduct for knights emphasizing honor.

Manorialism

Economic system based on land ownership.

Free Peasants

Had more freedom than serfs.

Free Peasants

Had rights to own land and move freely.

Serfs

Bound to the land, needing lord's permission to leave.

Revival of Trade

Increased economic activity and cultural exchange.

Middle Class

Emerging bourgeoisie of merchants and craftsmen.

Craft Guilds

Regulated artisans' work and ensured quality.

Merchant Guilds

Controlled trade, prices, and market access.

Cathedrals

Central to worship, symbolizing Church's power.

Romanesque Architecture

Characterized by thick walls and small windows.

Gothic Architecture

Features pointed arches and large, airy windows.

Excommunication

Banishment from the Church's community and sacraments.

Simony

Buying or selling Church positions for profit.

Interdict

Suspension of religious services in a region.

Lay Investiture Controversy

Conflict over bishop appointments between Pope and King.

Pope Urban II

Called for the First Crusade in 1095.

Black Death

Plague causing distrust in the Church's authority.

Avignon Papacy

Period weakening the Church's political power.

Great Schism

Division of the Church with multiple popes.

Battle of Hastings

William's victory centralized power in England.

Three-Field System

Improved crop yields and economic efficiency.

Rise of Universities

Created an educated middle class, challenging feudalism.