Miletus, Athens & Rome Historical Overview

This set of flashcards covers key historical concepts and terminology from the lecture notes on Miletus, Athens, and Rome.

Miletus

The greatest and wealthiest of Greek cities around 600 BCE, known for its gridlike layout which influenced later Roman city planning.

Agora

The public gathering place in Greek cities.

Stoa

A covered walkway or portico commonly found in Greek architecture.

Doric style

One of the three classical orders of ancient Greek architecture, characterized by simple, sturdy columns.

Ionian style

A classical order of ancient Greek architecture, noted for its decorative scrolls on the capitals of columns.

Corinthian style

The most ornate of the classical orders in ancient Greek architecture, recognized by its elaborate capitel, decorated with acanthus leaves.

Golden Age of Athenian democracy

The fifth century BCE, marked by the peak of democratic governance in Athens, featuring notable figures like Herodotus, Thucydides, Socrates, and Hippocrates.

Roman Republic

The period in Roman history from 509 BCE until 27 BCE when Rome was governed by elected representatives.

Roman Empire

The period following the Roman Republic, beginning in 27 BCE when Augustus became the first Emperor.

The Colosseum

An amphitheater in Rome built between 70 and 80 AD, used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.

Decline of Rome

Factors leading to Rome's fall included military overextension, loss of civic virtue, insufficient resources, and sack of the city by the Visigoths in 410 AD.

Al-andalus

Moorish Iberia, part of Iberian peninsula conquered by muslim rulers

Cordoba and Granada sites

Gret mosque 1236, Alhambra

Urban Decline

Roman Empire collapsed leading to 600 years of survival in Europe, walled cities were built like in carcassone

Urban revival

11th century brought re-awakening of urban life and crusades in 1096-1291

Trade rebirth

Crusades revived trade routes, craft guilds contributed to city life.

Which are trade cities?

Venice, Amsterdam, Bruges, and Hanse cities

Info on trade cities

They became famous and rich in an early version of “globalization” when the spice and silk trade was created by discoveries in the east. Venice often described as one of the world's most beautiful cities located in a marshy lagoon.

Doges

The elected leaders of Venice, known for their ceremonial and political roles. They governed the Republic of Venice and were symbolic of its power and wealth.

Venice growth

The fourth crusade sacked Constantinople and many treasures from C were brought to Venice. By the 13th century Venice was the most prosperous city of Europe especially in salt trade. The island of Murano is famous for its glass manufacture.

Venice Carnival

Pre-lent celebrations in the christian church calendar. Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is one of them.

Rise of Amsterdam

Amsterdam started off as a dam in the river Amstel. Received city rights around 1300 and became part of the Hanseatic league in the 14th century. The league was a commercial alliance that promoted trade and defensive prosperity among Northern European cities.

Amsterdam golden age

17th century it was the richest city in the world.

Primate City

A dominant city that serves as a cultural, political, and economic hub for a country or region. It is typically larger and more influential than any other city within the same area. for example London or Paris

Paris history

Celtic tribes in the area around 250 bc, L’lle de France was a region on the siene. Area came under roman control around 50 bc. Frankish kinds Childeric and Clovis made paris their capital around 500 AD. The Haussmann renovation starting in 1853 directed massive urban renovation of Paris.

Tourist sites in Paris

Versailles, Notre Dame, Avenue des Champs-Elysees, Louvre, Montmartre Hill, Paris Opera ballet, place de la concorde, Musee d orsay, les marais. Napoleon tomb