ANCIENT GREECEEE (well half of it so far lol)

Chapter 8 Section 1 Quiz Study Guide

Section One: Vocabulary

Alliance: an agreement between nations to fight each other’s enemies; a partnership

Acropolis: the highest point in an ancient Greek city

Agora: an open space in an ancient Greek city that served as a marketplace and social center

Aristocracy: an upper class that is richer and more powerful than the rest of society

Epic Poem: a long story in the form of a narrative poem

Hero: a character who faces a challenge that demands courage, strength, and intelligence

Labyrinth: a maze

Monarchy: a government ruled by a single person, such as a king

Myth: an old story told to explain an event or justify a belief or action

Oligarchy: a government ruled by a few powerful citizens

Polis: a Greek city-state

Raw Material: a substance from which other things are made

Tyrant: in ancient Greek city-states, a ruler who took power illegally

Names and Places

Minoan: emerged as a civilization with cities governed from vague palaces, written records not deciphered,

Island of Crete, great seafarers

Mycenaean: Overtook the Minoans, took the Minoans' culture, trade and war made Mycenaean rich and wealthy

Homer: A blind bard, wrote some of the greatest stories/epic poems-the Iliad and the Odyssey

Odysseus: a Greek hero, came up with a plan to trick the Trojans (the Trojan horse)

Trojan War: A war fought between the Greeks and the Anatolian city of Troy, started when Paris ran away with Helen

How did the Minoans spread their ideas from Greece to other Aegean islands and countries?

The Minoans spread their ideas and culture from Greece to the other Aegean islands and countries by cultural diffusion. When the Minoans sailed along other countries to trade goods, they also traded ideas and cultures along with other people.

Which class of people earned fine houses and lands to rule in exchange for their service?

Warriors earned fine houses and lands to rule in exchange for their services. They were given the houses and lands by the Mycenaean kings and other people worked hard to help support them.

Describe early Greek city-states, what were their main characteristics.

The early Greek city-states all have the same language, culture, religion, and heritage.

What circumstance led to war among city-states from 750 to 550 b.c.?

People fought with one another for land, power, resources, etc.

What did Greek city-states do to relieve overpopulation?

The Greek city-states relieved overpopulation by either fighting other city-states for resources or sending their people to start new settlements.

How have the Iliad and Odyssey contributed to our understanding of ancient Greece?

The Iliad and Odyssey taught us about the Greeks’ polytheism. The myths of ancient Greece also shaped modern Western literature. It also tells about their history. (For example, we can learn about the Trojan War from the Odyssey)

How did sea trade and geography affect ancient Greek civilization and city-states?

The geography separated the city-states with mountains and valleys. The geography also provided natural barriers as protection, which made each of the city-states isolate themselves. Sea trade helped by giving Greek civilization wealth.

Why were epic poems and their heroes important to the ancient Greeks?

Epic poems and their heroes were important because it was part of Greek culture and religion. It gave the Greeks unity in their common history and shared past.

In what ways were the Mycenaeans similar to and different from the Minoans?

Both the Mycenaeans and the Minoans had a social hierarchy, and a written/spoken language (Linear A and Linear B - as a reminder, we can read and understand Linear B, but Linear A remains undeciphered). Mycenaeans were much more militaristic than the Minoans, who were more culture-based. Mycenaeans mainly focused on attacking and stealing resources, but the Minoans mainly focused on trade and alliances rather than aggression. The Mycenaeans were warriors, unlike the Minoans.

In what ways did trade and cultural diffusion shape the ancient Greek world?

Trade and cultural diffusion exchanged ideas and goods. It helped people get what they needed/wanted. They went to many different countries and places such as Russia. It affected the economy and stimulated production.

2000 BCE

Minoans exist in Crete, Myceneans in mainland Greece

1500 BCE

Minoan decline, Myceneans invade

1450 BCE

Myceneans conquer them

1200 BCE

Myceneans and Greece decline (Trojan War setting)

950 BCE

End of decline, but no records

750 BCE

Homer exists, city-state war begins

600 BCE

Coins introduced 

550 BCE

City-state war ends