Key Term Quiz GKROMST

HIST 3M03 - Key Term Quiz Study Review

WEEK 1 

Lecture 1 - Heroic Age

Minoan (c. 3000–1450 BCE)

• A Bronze Age civilization on Crete, 

• known for advanced palatial architecture, maritime trade, and early writing systems (Linear A).

• Flourished from c. 3000–1450 BCE, with sites like Knossos.

• They influenced Mycenaean culture, shaping early Greek mythology, art, and religious practices.
  

Mycenean (c. 1600–1100 BCE)

• A Greek-speaking warrior society, known for palace-states, Linear B script, and connections to the Homeric epics.

• Flourished in mainland Greece before collapsing around 1100 BCE.

• Considered the earliest Greek civilization, influencing later Greek identity, politics, and warfare.
  

Linear A (c. 1900–1450 BCE)

• Undeciphered writing system used by Minoans for administrative purposes.

• While not translated, it suggests a complex economy and governance.
  

Linear B (c. 1400–1200 BCE)

• Early Greek script used by Mycenaeans for record-keeping.

• The first known written form of Greek, providing insights into Mycenaean government, trade, and military.
  

Wanax

• The Mycenaean term for a king or supreme ruler.

• Shows a hierarchical, centralized political structure.

Thassocrassy

• Rule or dominance over the seas, often associated with the Minoans.

• Highlights the importance of naval power in controlling trade and influence.
  

Epigraphy

• The study of ancient inscriptions on stone, metal, or pottery.

• Essential for reconstructing history through official decrees, laws, and records.
  

Lecture 2 - Dark Age

Greek Dark Age (c. 1100–800 BCE)

• A period following the Mycenaean collapse, marked by population decline, loss of writing, and economic stagnation.

• Despite regression, oral traditions like The Iliad and Odyssey preserved Greek cultural identity

megaron 

• The central hall of Mycenaean palaces, later influencing Greek temple design.

• The architectural foundation for later Greek political and religious spaces.
  

Lefkandi

• A site on Euboea with elite burials during the Dark Age.

• Suggests that some elite continuity survived despite widespread decline.
  

Phoenician Alphabet (c. 9th century BCE)

• A writing system adapted by the Greeks, forming the Greek alphabet.

• Allowed literacy to spread and enabled the recording of laws, literature, and history.
  

Nestor’s Cup (c. 8th century BCE)

• A cup inscribed with one of the earliest written Greek texts.

• Demonstrates early Greek literacy and the cultural reach of Homeric traditions.
  

Homer (c. 8th century BCE)

• Who/What: Greek poet credited with The Iliad and The Odyssey.

• His epics shaped Greek identity, warfare ideals, and historical memory.
  

WEEK 2 

Lecture 3 - Archaic Greece (800-500 BCE)

Polis (City-State)

• The central political units of ancient Greece.
  

• Created the framework for Greek political, social, and military organization.
  

Basileus

• Term for "king" in early Greece, later reduced to a ceremonial or religious role.

• Demonstrates the transition from monarchy to oligarchy and democracy.
  

Hoplite

• Heavily armed Greek infantry soldier who fought in a phalanx formation.

• Shifted military power from aristocrats to common citizens, influencing democracy.
  

Synocism

• Who/What: The process of unifying smaller settlements into a single polis.

• Essential for the development of city-states like Athens and Sparta.
  

Olympia

• Religious sanctuary of Zeus and site of the Olympic Games (est. 776 BCE).

• Fostered Panhellenic identity and religious devotion.
  

Hesiod (c. 700 BCE)

• Poet of Theogony and Works and Days, providing insights into Greek mythology and social norms.

• Shaped Greek moral and mythological understanding.

Lecture 4 - Sparta 

Lycurgan reforms 

• A set of constitutional and military reforms attributed to Lycurgus that established Sparta’s rigid military-focused society.

• Created Sparta’s distinct social hierarchy and militarized state.
  

Perioikoi

• Non-citizen free inhabitants of Sparta 

• engaged in trade and industry.

• Maintained the Spartan economy while Spartiates focused on warfare.
  

Helots

• Enslaved people in Sparta who worked the land.

• Their oppression allowed Spartans to sustain a full-time military but led to constant tensions and revolts.
  

Homoloi or Spartiates

• Full Spartan citizens, trained from youth as professional soldiers.

• Embodied the militaristic and egalitarian ethos of Sparta.
  

syssitia

• Mandatory communal meals among Spartan warriors.

• Reinforced discipline, equality, and cohesion among male citizens.
  

Agoge

• The state-run education system for Spartan boys.

• Produced highly disciplined warriors loyal to the state.
  

Peloponnesian league

• A Spartan-led alliance formed in the 6th century BCE.

• A major military coalition that opposed Athens during the Peloponnesian War.

WEEK 3

Lecture 5 - Athens

Law of solon (c. 594 BCE)

• A series of legal and political reforms by Solon to address economic disparity and political instability in Athens.

• Laid the foundation for Athenian democracy by reducing aristocratic power and introducing political participation for more citizens.

Archons

• The chief magistrates of Athens, originally nine in number.

• Played a key role in Athenian governance, later overshadowed by democratic institutions.

Council of 400

• A political body created by Solon to prepare legislation for the assembly.

• Precursor to later democratic councils, balancing power between aristocrats and common citizens.

Pisistratus (c. 546–527 BCE)

• A tyrant who seized control of Athens and implemented populist policies.

• Strengthened Athens through infrastructure, arts, and economic growth, paving the way for democracy.

Harmodius and Aristogeiton (514 BCE)

• Tyrannicides who assassinated the brother of the Athenian tyrant Hippias.

• Became symbols of democracy and freedom in Athenian political culture.

Cleisthenic Reforms (c. 508 BCE)

• Political reforms by Cleisthenes that reorganized Athens into ten tribes and created the Council of 500.

• Established the foundations of Athenian democracy by increasing citizen participation.

Council of 500

• A council responsible for administrative and legislative functions in Athens.

• Strengthened direct democracy by allowing broader citizen involvement.

Demokratia

• The Greek term for democracy, meaning “rule by the people.”

• Athenian democracy was one of the first known examples of direct democratic governance.

Ostracism

• A political process where citizens could vote to exile a public figure for ten years.

• Prevented the rise of tyrants and maintained political balance.

Lecture 6 - The Persian Wars

Zoroastrianism

• The religion of the Persian Empire, based on the teachings of Zoroaster.

• Influenced Persian governance and justifications for imperial expansion.

Ionian Revolt (499–493 BCE)

• A rebellion of Greek city-states in Ionia against Persian rule.

• Triggered the Persian Wars as Athens and Eretria aided the revolt.

Marathon

• Battle (490 BCE)

• A decisive Athenian victory against Persian forces.

• Showcased Greek military strength and the effectiveness of the hoplite phalanx.

Xerxes (r. 486–465 BCE)

• Persian king who launched the second invasion of Greece.

• Led the Persian army at the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis.

Themistocles (c. 524–459 BCE)

• Athenian politician and general who advocated for naval expansion.

• Led Athens to victory at the Battle of Salamis, securing Greek independence.

Thermopyla

• Battle of Thermopylae (480 BCE)

• A battle where 300 Spartans and their allies defended a mountain pass against Xerxes’ army.
  

WEEK 4 

Lecture 7 - Pentekontenia 

Delian League (478 BCE)

• An alliance led by Athens to defend against Persia.

• Transformed into an Athenian empire, leading to tensions with Spartans

Pericles

• Influential Athenian statesman who expanded democracy and oversaw the construction of the Parthenon.

• Led Athens during its Golden Age.

• Also led Athen’s through the beginning of the PPW 

Strategos

• The title for Athenian military generals.

• Allowed individuals like Pericles to exert political and military influence.

Peace of Callias (c. 449 BCE)

• A peace treaty between Athens and Persia.

• Ended major Persian threats to Greece.

Parthenon (completed 432 BCE)

• A temple dedicated to Athena in Athens.

• Symbol of Athenian wealth, power, and cultural achievement.

Long Walls

• Fortifications connecting Athens to its port, Piraeus.

• Ensured Athens could receive supplies during sieges.

Thirty Years’ Peace

• A truce between Athens and Sparta.

• Temporary pause in hostilities before the Peloponnesian War.

Thucydides (c. 460–400 BCE)

• Who/What: Historian of the Peloponnesian War.

• Significance: Provided a critical, analytical account of Greek history.

Lecture 8 - Peloponnesian War

Revolt of Mytilene (427 BCE)

• A failed rebellion by Mytilene against Athenian rule.

• Led to a harsh Athenian response, illustrating the empire’s authoritarian tendencies.

Plague of Athens (430–426 BCE)

• A devastating plague that struck Athens during the war.

• Weakened Athens significantly and contributed to Pericles’ death.

Peace of Nicias (421 BCE)

• A temporary peace treaty between Athens and Sparta.

• Failed to maintain stability, leading to the resumption of conflict.

Alcibiades (c. 450–404 BCE)

• A charismatic and controversial Athenian general.

• Defected multiple times, influencing the course of the war.

Sicilian Expedition (415–413 BCE)

• A disastrous Athenian military campaign against Syracuse.

• Severely weakened Athens and contributed to its downfall.

The Four Hundred (411 BCE)

• An oligarchic coup in Athens.

• Reflected internal instability during the war.

Battle of Arginusae (406 BCE)

• A naval victory for Athens.

• The subsequent execution of generals weakened Athenian leadership.

Battle of Aegospotami (405 BCE)

• Decisive Spartan victory that ended the war.

• Led to Athens’ surrender and the loss of its empire.

Lecture 9 - Greece in the 4th Century

Thirty Tyrants (404–403 BCE)

• An oligarchic regime imposed by Sparta in Athens after the Peloponnesian War.

• Led to severe repression and was overthrown, restoring democracy.

Socrates (c. 470–399 BCE)

• A classical Greek philosopher who questioned Athenian democracy.

• His trial and execution highlighted tensions in Athenian society.

Xenophon (c. 430–354 BCE)

• Greek historian, philosopher, and soldier.

• His works provide valuable insights into Greek and Persian history.

Artaxerxes II (r. 404–358 BCE)

• King of Persia during the early 4th century BCE.

• Faced internal rebellions and conflicts with Greek city-states.

The King’s Peace (387 BCE)

• A peace treaty imposed by Persia to end Greek conflicts.

• Weakened Greek autonomy and confirmed Persian influence.

Sacred Band of Thebes

• An elite military unit of Theban hoplites.

• Played a key role in Thebes' rise to power in the 4th century BCE.

Battle of Leuctra (371 BCE)

• A battle where Thebes defeated Sparta.

• Ended Spartan hegemony in Greece.

Battle of Mantinea (362 BCE)

• A battle between Thebes and Sparta.

• Weakened all Greek states, paving the way for Macedonian dominance.

Lecture 10 - Philip and Alexander

Philip II of Macedon (r. 359–336 BCE)

• King of Macedon who reformed the army and conquered Greece.

• Laid the foundation for Alexander the Great’s conquests.

Delphic Amphictyony

• A religious alliance that controlled the Delphic sanctuary.

• Used by Philip II to justify his interventions in Greek affairs.

Isocrates (436–338 BCE)

• An Athenian rhetorician who promoted Greek unity.

• Advocated for Philip II’s leadership over Greece.

Demosthenes (384–322 BCE)

• Athenian orator who opposed Philip II.

• His speeches warned Greece about Macedonian expansion.

Hellenism

• Who/What: The spread of Greek culture through Alexander’s conquests.

• Significance: Blended Greek and Eastern traditions, influencing future civilizations.

Battle of Chaeronea (338 BCE)

• A decisive battle where Philip II defeated Greek forces.

• Marked the end of Greek city-state independence.

Alexander the Great (356–323 BCE)

• Macedonian king who created one of the largest empires in history and spread Hellenistic culture across three continents.

• Spread Greek culture across the known world.

Darius III (r. 336–330 BCE)

• The last king of Persia.

• Defeated by Alexander the Great, marking the fall of the Persian Empire.

Zeus Ammon

• A syncretic deity combining Greek Zeus and Egyptian Amun.

• Alexander identified with Zeus Ammon, reinforcing his divine legitimacy.

Lecture 11 - Alexander the Great

Battle of Gaugamela (331 BCE)

• A decisive battle where Alexander defeated Darius III.

• Marked the fall of the Persian Empire.

Syncretism

• The blending of different religious and cultural traditions.

• Key aspect of Hellenistic culture following Alexander’s conquests.

Proskynesis

• A Persian court practice of bowing to rulers.

• Controversial among Greeks when adopted by Alexander.

River Hyphasis (326 BCE)

• The easternmost point reached by Alexander’s army in India.

• Marked the limit of Alexander’s conquests before his troops refused to continue.

Antigonid Macedon

• The Macedonian kingdom ruled by Antigonus' descendants.

• One of the Hellenistic successor states after Alexander’s death.

Seleucid Asia

• The largest Hellenistic kingdom, founded by Seleucus.

• Significance: Controlled much of Persia and Mesopotamia, spreading Greek influence.

Ptolemaic Egypt

• A Hellenistic kingdom in Egypt ruled by the Ptolemies.

• Established Greek rule in Egypt and oversaw the construction of Alexandria.