Greco-Persian Wars, Athens vs. Sparta, and Classical Greek Philosophy (Chapters 1–7)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Greco-Persian Wars, Athenian democracy, Delian League, and early Greek philosophy (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle).

hubris

Excessive ego or pride; claiming more than one deserves, a key trait highlighted in the Xerxes scene and Greek literature.

Ionian Revolt

Rebellion of Ionian Greeks against Persian rule, triggering Greco-Persian conflicts; Athens aided Ionian Greeks.

Darius I

Persian king who crushed Ionian revolt and planned invasion of Greece, expanding the Achaemenid Empire.

Marathon (Battle of Marathon)

490 BCE victory for Athenians over Persians; crucial turning point that protected mainland Greece.

Bay of Salamis

480 BCE naval battle where the Greek fleet defeated the Persian navy in a bottleneck, turning the tide of the war.

Thermopylae

480 BCE land battle where Spartan-led Greeks delayed the Persian advance, becoming a symbol of heroic resistance.

Persian Empire (Achaemenid Empire)

Ancient empire founded by Cyrus the Great; renowned for a vast bureaucracy, complex economy, and extensive road network.

Cyrus the Great

Founder of the Persian Empire, who united diverse peoples under a centralized rule.

Cambyses

Son of Cyrus; expanded the Persian Empire, including conquests into parts of Africa and Egypt.

Ionia

Western coast of modern-day Turkey; Greek colonies under Persian rule and sites of Ionian Revolt.

Delian League

Athens-led alliance of Greek city-states formed after the Persian Wars to defend against Persia and foster trade.

Delos

Island where the Delian League kept its treasury before funds were used to build naval power.

Pericles

Athenian leader during the Golden Age who expanded democracy, rebuilt Athens, and promoted naval power.

Direct democracy

A system in which adult male citizens participate directly in the assembly and major decisions.

Parthenon

Temple to Athena on the Athenian Acropolis; emblem of rebuilt monumental architecture in Athens.

Theatre/Tragedy

Birth of Western theater in Athens; development of tragedy and dramatic arts during the Golden Age.

Socrates

Athenian philosopher known for the Socratic method; accused of impiety and corrupting youth, executed.

Plato

Socrates’ student; founded the Academy; wrote dialogues; developed theory of forms and the idea of philosopher-kings.

Aristotle

Student of Plato; founded the Lyceum; prolific writer across many fields; promoted empirical observation and mixed government.

Academy

Plato’s school in Athens; emphasized dialogue and open inquiry; admitted non-Athenians and women in some cases.

Lyceum

Aristotle’s school in Athens; emphasis on lecture and empirical study; produced extensive writings.

Allegory of the Cave

Plato’s metaphor illustrating the distinction between the visible world and the world of perfect forms.

Theory of Forms (Ideas)

Plato’s concept of eternal, perfect forms existing beyond the material world; knowledge seeks these forms.

Prime Mover

Aristotle’s concept of a first cause that initiates motion in the cosmos (divine, but not equivalent to a theistic God).

Mixed Government

Aristotle’s proposed balance of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy to avoid tyranny and mob rule.

30 Tyrants

Oligarchic rulers installed in Athens by Sparta after the Peloponnesian War; briefly overthrown to restore democracy.

Herodotus

Historian often called the Father of History; chronicled the Greco-Persian Wars and sources of early history.

Oracle of Delphi

Sacred site and oracle consulted by Greeks; signaled divine guidance, including permissions and omens.