Greek Study Guide
Impact of geography on Greek city states and development.
The impact of geography on Greek city-states:
Terrain: Greece's mountains led to isolated, independent city-states (poleis).
Coastline: Aegean Sea access facilitated trade and cultural exchange.
Resources: Limited agricultural land prompted colonization for resources.
Defense: Geography influenced military strategies and hoplite formation.
Cultural Exchange: Proximity to other civilizations enriched Greek society.
Trade: Exchange of goods like pottery and wine created economic interdependence.
Collaboration: City-states united during common threats via alliances like the Delian League during the Persian Wars.
Trust and Diplomacy: Essential for trade agreements, treaties, and managing conflicts.
Cultural Exchange: Trade and alliances influenced Greek art, philosophy, and governance, promoting a shared identity.
Coastline: Access to the Aegean Sea facilitated trade and cultural exchange among city-states.
Resources: Limited agricultural land prompted Greeks to establish colonies for resources and arable land.
Defense: Geographic features influenced military strategies and the formation of hoplites for local defense.
Cultural Exchange: Proximity to other civilizations allowed for cultural and technological exchange, enriching Greek society.
Trade: Extensive exchange of goods like pottery, wine, and olive oil created economic interdependence.
Collaboration: City-states often united during common threats, exemplified by alliances like the Delian League formed during the Persian Wars.
Trust and Diplomacy: Essential for trade agreements, trust facilitated diplomatic relations through treaties and shared religious practices, helping manage conflicts.
Cultural Exchange: Interaction through trade and alliances led to influences in art, philosophy, and governance, promoting a shared Hellenic identity despite political differences.
what is significant about Mycenae to Greek Development
Significance of Mycenae to Greek Development:
Major trade, culture, and military center during the late Bronze Age.
Influenced early Greek civilization through:
Military power.
Contributions to culture and writing (Linear B).
Extensive trade networks.
Precursor to Classical Greek society.
who Homer was and the effects of epic poems on greek culture
Homer: Famous ancient Greek poet.
Epic Poems: Author of the Iliad and Odyssey, two of the greatest epic poems.
Cultural Influence:
Shaped the Greek language.
Introduced moral values.
Provided historical context about the Trojan War and Odysseus's adventures.
Educational Impact: Served as educational texts for young Greeks.
Key Themes:
Heroism
Honor
Role of gods in human affairs.
Cultural Unification: Promoted a shared Greek identity through common stories.
key figures from the Iliad (epic poem about war with the Trojans)
Achilles: The greatest Greek warrior; his conflict with Agamemnon drives the plot.
Agamemnon: Leader of the Greeks; quarrel with Achilles affects the army's fate.
Hector: The finest Trojan warrior; represents honor and duty.
Patroclus: Achilles' close friend; his death spurs Achilles to return to battle.
Priam: King of Troy, embodying grief for Hector.
Helen: Her abduction by Paris starts the war.
Paris: Trojan prince responsible for abducting Helen.
Thetis: Achilles' mother, seeking to protect her son.
the Greek City States and the key terms that accompany them- poli- agora- acropolis-
Greek City-States (Poleis)**: Independent political units characterized by a central urban area and surrounding countryside.
- Polis- The term for city-state in ancient Greece, representing a distinct community with its own government. -
Agora- The public open space used for assemblies and markets within a city-state, serving as a hub for social, political, and economic activities. -
Acropolis: A high, fortified area within a city-state, often the site of important religious temples and buildings, providing a place of refuge during invasions.
I know what a hoplite was and how they fought
Hoplite: Heavily armed foot soldiers of ancient Greece.
Phalanx Formation: Fought shoulder to shoulder, creating a wall of shields for defense and cohesion.
Weapons: Primary weapon was a spear (doru); sword (xiphos) used for close combat.
Armor: Wore bronze armor including a helmet, breastplate, and greaves for protection and mobility.
The Persian Wars (499-479 BCE) were conflicts between Greek city-states and the Persian Empire, initiated by the Ionian Revolt. Key events include:
Battle of Marathon (490 BCE): The Athenians, led by Miltiades, defeated the Persians, boosting Greek morale.
Battle of Thermopylae (480 BCE): King Leonidas and a small Greek force resisted the larger Persian army led by Xerxes, becoming legendary for their bravery.
Battle of Salamis (480 BCE): The Athenian navy, under Themistocles, achieved a decisive victory against the Persian fleet.
Battle of Plataea (479 BCE): A united Greek force defeated the remaining Persians, concluding the invasions.
Key players: Darius I (initiator of the invasions), Xerxes I (led the second wave), Miltiades (Athenian general), Leonidas (Spartan king), and Themistocles (Athenian strategist).
I can explain how the Persian war led to the Athenian empire
Time Period: The Persian Wars occurred between 499-479 BCE.
Significance: These wars were crucial for the formation of the Athenian Empire.
Key Battles: Major victories, including Salamis and Plataea, solidified Athenian naval dominance.
Delian League: Athens organized this alliance for mutual defense, enhancing its influence over member city-states.
Outcome: These victories allowed Athens to establish a powerful empire, increasing its power and wealth.
I know the result of the Peloponessian war and how it opened the door for the Macedonians to invade.
Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE): A conflict between Athens and Sparta.
Outcome: Defeat of Athens by Sparta.
Consequences: Weakened all Greek city-states.
Impact: Led to political instability across Greece.
Opportunity for Macedonians: Created a chance for Philip II to invade and dominate Greece.
Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE):
Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE): A prominent Macedonian ruler and military leader renowned for exceptional conquests.
Education: Educated by the philosopher Aristotle.
Rise to Power: Became king of Macedon after the assassination of his father, Philip II.
Empire Creation: Established one of the largest empires in ancient history, expanding from Greece through Asia Minor, Egypt, Persia, and into parts of India.
Foundations: Founded numerous cities, the most famous being Alexandria in Egypt.
Cultural Impact: Spread Hellenistic culture across his empire, blending Greek and Eastern influences.
.
Greek colonization and how this led to new wealthy individuals challenging the oligarchy.
Greek Colonization (8th-6th centuries BCE): Established new settlements driven by population growth and trade needs.
Wealthy Class Emergence: Growth of a wealthy class comprised of merchants and landowners challenged existing oligarchies.
Push for Political Power: This challenge led to a demand for increased political power among the burgeoning wealthy class.
Shift Towards Democracy: Gradual transition towards democratic governance, particularly in city-states like Athens.
Role of Tyrants: Tyrants enacted reforms that facilitated this shift, promoting the interests of the common people.
tyrants lead to development of democracy
Tyrants in Ancient Greece:
Seized power with popular support.
Enacted reforms that addressed common people's needs:
Land distribution.
Debt relief.
Increased political engagement among citizens.
Diminished the oligarchy's control.
Fostered democratic principles, especially in city-states like Athens.
If given an opportunity I can fully describe the differences between life in Sparta vs Athens.
I know the role of the Greeks gods and the effect they had on Greek life.
Government:
Sparta had an oligarchic system with two kings emphasizing military rule.
Athens developed a democracy with citizen participation.
Society:
Spartan society was militarized, focusing on producing skilled warriors.
Athenian society valued arts and education.
Role of Women:
Spartan women had more rights and could own property.
Athenian women were restricted to domestic duties.
Economy:
Sparta's economy was state-controlled with helots working the land.
Athens had a diverse economy based on trade and crafts.
- **Education**: Spartans focused on military training, while Athenians promoted philosophy and arts, encouraging critical thinking.
I can identify the main gods if needed.
Zeus: King of the gods, god of the sky and thunder.
Hera: Queen of the gods, goddess of marriage and family.
Poseidon: God of the sea, earthquakes, and horses.
Athena: Goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts.
Apollo: God of the sun, music, arts, and prophecy.
Artemis: Goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and childbirth.
Ares: God of war.
Aphrodite: Goddess of love and beauty.
Hades: God of the underworld.
Demeter: Goddess of agriculture and the harvest.
I can identify the key philosophers and differentiate between them.
Key Philosophers of Ancient Greece:
Socrates (470-399 BCE):
Known for the Socratic method, a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue.
Focused on ethical questions and the pursuit of knowledge through questioning.
Believed that knowledge was virtuous and that understanding oneself was crucial.
Plato (427-347 BCE):
Student of Socrates and founder of the Academy in Athens.
Introduced the theory of Forms, suggesting the material world is a reflection of a higher reality.
Wrote dialogues featuring Socrates and focused on justice, beauty, and equality.
Aristotle (384-322 BCE):
Student of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great.
Developed systems of logic and empirical observation; emphasized observations of the natural world.
Addressed various subjects including ethics, politics, metaphysics, and biology, advocating for moderation (the Golden Mean).
Differences Between the Philosophers:
Socrates focused on ethical questions and individual questioning.
Plato emphasized ideal forms and objective reality.
Aristotle implemented empirical methods and logic to formulate theories in various disciplines.
Socrates prioritized ethical living through knowledge, Plato linked knowledge to ideal forms, and Aristotle grounded ideas in observation and practical reality.
I can explain the purpose and effects of dramas or tragedies.
Purpose of Greek dramas and tragedies:
Entertain the audience
Educate the audience
Provide moral guidance
Themes depicted:
Human suffering and the consequences of actions
Interplay of fate, free will, and divine influence
Objectives of performances:
Evoke pity and fear, resulting in catharsis
Reinforce communal identity
Address themes of morality and justice
Overall impact on society.
I can identify the Hellenistic Era and the effect it had on other parts of the world.
Time Period: The Hellenistic Era lasted from 323 to 30 BCE.
Origin: Began with the death of Alexander the Great.
Cultural Spread: Marked by the spread of Greek culture across Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Cultural Blending: Facilitated a mix of Greek and Eastern cultures.
Advancements: Led to developments in art, science, and philosophy, most prominently in cities like Alexandria.
Exchange of Ideas: Fostered the exchange of ideas that shaped future advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.
I know all the vocabulary words pertaining to the Greeks.
**Cultural Exchange:** Trade and alliances impacted Greek art, philosophy, and governance, fostering a shared identity. Geography enabled trade through the Aegean Sea, leading to economic interconnectedness. Limited agricultural land caused colonization for resources. **Significance of Mycenae:** Major trade and military center in the late Bronze Age; influenced early Greek civilization with its military power, writing (Linear B), and extensive trade networks, serving as a precursor to Classical Greek society. **Homer and Epic Poems:** Homer was a renowned ancient Greek poet known for the *Iliad* and *Odyssey*. His works shaped the Greek language, moral values, and provided historical context about key events like the Trojan War. Key themes include heroism, honor, and the role of gods, promoting cultural unity. **Key Figures from the Iliad:** - **Achilles:** Greatest warrior whose conflict drives the plot. - **Agamemnon:** Leader of the Greeks affecting army fate through his quarrel. - **Hector:** Honor-bound Trojan warrior. - **Patroclus:** Achilles' friend whose death prompts Achilles' return. - **Priam:** Grieving King of Troy. - **Helen and Paris:** Their actions trigger the war. **Greek City-States:** Poleis (city-states): independent political units. **Agora:** Public space for assemblies. **Acropolis:** Fortified area with religious significance. **Hoplite Soldiers:** Heavily armed foot soldiers using phalanx formation. Fought with spears and swords, wearing bronze armor. **Persian Wars (499-479 BCE):** Conflicts between Greek city-states and Persia. Key battles: Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea led to Athenian dominance and establishment of the Delian League. **Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE):** Conflict between Athens and Sparta ending in Spartan victory, weakening Greek city-states and allowing Macedonian invasion. **Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE):** King of Macedon, educated by Aristotle, created a vast empire and spread Hellenistic culture. **Greek Colonization (8th-6th centuries BCE):** Established new settlements, leading to the rise of a wealthy merchant class challenging oligarchies and paving the way for democracy.