Classical Greece Test

Acropolis

The high, fortified part of an ancient Greek city, typically containing temples and other important buildings

Agora

A public open space used for assemblies and markets in ancient Greek cities

Delian League

An alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens, formed to defend against the Persian empire

Democracy

A system of government in which power is held by the people, who exercise it directly or through elected representatives

Hellenistic

Relating to Greek history, language, and culture from the death of Alexander the Great to the defeat of Cleopatra and Mark Antony by Octavian in 32 BC

Hoplight

A heavily armed foot soldier of ancient Greece

Oligarchy

A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution

Ostracism

A procedure under the Athenian democracy in which any citizen could be expelled from the city-state for ten years

Peloponnesian League

An alliance of Greek city-states led by Sparta, formed in opposition to the Delian League

Polis

A city-state in ancient Greece, especially as considered in its idea form for philosophical purposes

Satrap

A provincial governor in the ancient Persian Empire

Trireme

An ancient Greek or Roman war galley with three banks of oars

Solon

The main man who reformed Athens, creating a trial by jury and a democracy so everyone would be treated equally. However he still allowed for an aristocracy. He also made the death penalty less common.

Lycurgus

The founder of Sparta who implemented many laws to build morale for a society of soldiers and to discourage material desires. He implemented military training for all boys from the age of 7, dinner for everyone together (including the king), changed currency to large iron nuggets to make purchases and money harder to use (to discourage material desire), abolished the normal way of marriage, and put childcare in the hands of the state.

Chaeromea

The battle of 338 BC where the Macedonians crushed the last Greek resistance, which fell to Phillip the 2nd and Alexander.

Alexander’s main teacher

Aristotle, who taught him everything from medicine to literature, which included studying the Iliad by Homer, which his student kept a copy of under his bed due to it’s military strategy. His student said Aristotle taught him to “Live well”

Alexander the Great’s beginnings

His parents had prophetic dreams about him before he was born, and stories claimed he was the son of Zeus. He impressed his father’s friends through good questions about politics and military strategy.

Bucephalus

Alexander’s horse, whom he tamed through gentle care and noticing he feared his own shadow. He bet his father the cost of the horse that he could tame it when all others has failed.

King Phillip the 2nd assassination

King Phillip was attending an event when his body guard attacked and killed him. Some theorize this due to the guard being a past lover, others theorize it was due to Olympias (his wife) and her anger over his unfaithfulness. Alexander had the assassins killed

Gordium

The location where Alexander cut/pulled the pin from the supposed impossible knot to untie. It was said whoever untied it would conquer Persia.

Granicus

One of Alexander’s early victories against the Persians by the river banks. Despite the uneven ground and other hazards, Alexander pushed on with his men.

Gaugamela

The final battle with Darius and 100,000-120,000 Persian Soldiers versus Alexander and 40,000 soldiers. Alexander refused to attack at night for “I will not steal a victory.” Alexander’s cavalry all charged at once during the day and broke through the Persian defenses to Darius. The Persians surrendered.

Persian Soldier Count at Gaugamela

100,000-120,000 soldiers

Alexander’s Soldier Count at Gaugamela

40,000

Darius the 2nd

The King of Persia who surrendered to Alexander the Great at Gaugamela and the last Persian ruler during Alexander’s conquest.

Alexander’s reason for stopping his conquests at India

His soldiers were exhausted

Alkibiades

A handsome, charismatic Athenian politician who was popular on account of his speaking skills and Olympic victories. He was especially notable for his friendship with Socrates, who challenged him instead of flattering him. He was exiled for the mutilation of Herma, where many sacred statues were vandalized in Athens. He constantly shifted alliances between Athens, Sparta, and Persia, sparking wars and stealing/seducing queens. Aristophanes said that despite this chaos, “They (the nations) could not live without him.”

Nikias

A more stoic politician who rivaled with Alkibiades, but later led with him the Athenians in the Peloponnesian war

Themistocles

Known for transforming Athens’ land power to a naval empire. He saw that the Persian threat wasn’t over just because of the victory at Marathon. He convinced the Athenians to build 200 triremes and tricked Xerxes into attacking the narrow strait where these ships forced the Persian army to retreat at the battle of Salamis.

Thermopylae

The battle where King Leonidas and 300 spartan soldiers fought to the death to hold the Persian back until the Athenians could fight the Persians at Salamis.

King Leonidas

The Spartan king who led the 300 men into battle against the Persians at Thermopylae

Xerxes

The Persian King who fought at Thermopylae and Salamis, the first main Persian ruler during Alexander’s conquest.

Salamis

The battle where Xerxes was tricked into attacking and was met by Athenian ships which forced the Persians to retreat

Pericles

Considered the “democratic” king, he constructed famous architecture like the Parthenon, expanded Athenian influence, and made Athens the cultural center of Greece. Thucydides argued Athens was more of an aristocracy than a democracy under him due to his influence inspiring Athens to simply follow his lead.

Peloponnesian War

The war that arose out of tension between Athens and Sparta, who saw Athens as tyrannical. This war would destroy Athens.

Sicilian Expedition

Led by Nikias and Alkibiades, the Athenians sent a massive force to attack Syracuse. However Nikias hesitated, leading to an attack from Sparta which wiped out the Athenian Army.

The fall of the Athenian Navy

Alkibiades led the navy and beat the Spartan navy a few times before his own men turned against him out of suspicion. The navy was crushed at the battle of Aegospotami.

Aegospotami

The battle where the Spartan Navy destroyed the Athenian Navy, forcing them to surrender.

Leuctra

The battle which started Alexander and Phillip the 2nd’s fascination with unique/irregular battle formation. Phillip was a prisoner of war at the time, and he took notice and later told his son.