Golden Age of Classical Greece & The Peloponnesian War — Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, people, events, and concepts from the Golden Age of Classical Greece and the Peloponnesian War, including democracy, theater, history, art, society, and philosophy.

Delian League

Athens’ post-Persian Wars alliance that grew into an empire with naval dominance over its allies.

Pericles

Athenian leader who expanded democracy to the poorer citizens (thetes) and promoted pay for public service.

thetes

Poorer citizens enfranchised by Pericles; paid for participating in public duties.

Dionysia

Public theater festivals in Athens where drama served as civic discourse and reflection of the polis.

Tragedy

Dramatic plays exploring justice, fate, war, and civic duty; mirrored political life.

Comedy

Satirical plays that critique leaders and policies; politics through humor.

Herodotus

Historian known as the Father of History; emphasized storytelling and inquiry.

Thucydides

Historian known for critical, evidence-based analysis of war and politics.

Parthenon

Temple on the Acropolis; pinnacle of classical architecture and symbol of civic pride.

Phidias

Sculptor associated with naturalistic, idealized human form; created Parthenon sculpture.

Athenian women

Women were confined to the domestic sphere; weaving and marriage central to daily life.

Slavery

Foundation of Athenian democracy and economy; enslaved labor underpinned society.

Peloponnesian War

Long conflict (431–404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta that devastated Greece.

Sicilian Expedition

Athens’ disastrous attempt to expand empire in Sicily; major turning point.

Plague of Athens

Severe plague during the war that weakened Athens and killed many, including Pericles.

Oligarchic coup (411 BCE)

Brief overthrow of democracy in Athens in favor of oligarchy.

Thirty Tyrants

Pro-Spartan oligarchic regime installed after Athens’ defeat.

Socrates

Philosopher who pursued truth and virtue through dialogue; condemned to death by hemlock.

Sophists

Rhetoricians who taught persuasive argument for money; often accused of relative truth.

Aristophanes

Comic playwright who satirized Socrates as a sophist in The Clouds.

Plato

Philosopher who portrayed Socrates as a truth-seeker; wrote Crito about law, justice, and duty to polis.

unexamined life

Socrates’ claim that a life without inquiry is not worth living.

The Clouds

Aristophanes’ play that mocks Socrates as a sophist.

Crito

Plato’s dialogue defending obedience to laws and duty to the polis.

Rhetoric

Art of persuasive speaking; powerful in democracy but can mislead the masses.

Catharsis

Emotional purgation or cleansing through tragedy, as discussed by Aristotle.

Polis

Greek city-state; a self-governing political community.

Melos massacre

Massacre of Melos during the Peloponnesian War; example of imperial brutality.