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121 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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frescoes
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Paintings made on wet plaster walls, which allowed them to endure and remain even to this day.
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polis
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Greek word for “city-state”, which were individually governed cities within Greece, each unique and separate with varying cultures.
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acropolis
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A hill or mountain which acted as the setting for each polis.
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agora
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The public meeting place present in each polis. More specifically, a marketplace.
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Minoans
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An early civilization, located on the island of Crete (in Mediterranean Sea). This civilization was great and powerful, established around 2000 BC. It was advanced, with running water, walls decorated with frescoes,, delicate ivory, stone, gold, silver and bronze figures, etc. Nature and women were important to the Minoans. Livelihood based on the sea, not agriculture. This civilization was destroyed by a volcanic eruption on another Mediterranean island.
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Mycenaeans
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An invading group, organized into clans and tribes, who learned to sail and grow grapes, grain and olives. These people dominated the Greek mainland for 400 yrs, till 1600 BC. They built fortified cities and raided the sea, conquering Crete and others. Many elements of Minoan culture were adopted.
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Aegean Sea
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The main sea separating the Greek mainland from Asia Minor, which would be used as a “highway” between the two lands for trade.
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Balkan Peninsula
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A large peninsula in Europe, separated from Asia Minor by the Aegean Sea. This peninsula eventually narrows to several small peninsulas, forming mainland Greece.
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Crete
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The largest Greek island, located in the Mediterranean Sea, which was originally home to the Minoans.
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Mycenae
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The main fortified city built by the Mycenaeans, located in southern mainland Greece.
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Athens
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The mightiest Greek polis, located on the Attic peninsula, with great social mobility and prevailing democracy. The arts and literature were valued in Athens.
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Sparta
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A warlike polis, which had little education in the arts, and was more focused on war. Barely literate, except for military benefits of written communication.
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epics
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Long poems describing heroes and great events (like Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad)
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myths
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Traditional stories about the deeds and misdeeds of gods, goddesses and heroes.
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oracles
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Special sanctuaries located in fissures in the Earth, in which a sibyl (possessed woman) would answer questions about the future. The most famous oracle: Apollo at Delphi (in Corinth)
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import
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A good or service brought in from another place.
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export
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A good or service sold to another country or region.
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aristocracies
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Greek city states controlled by nobles, whose literal translation means “rule by the best”.
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hoplite
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A nonaristocratic soldier, who is a heavy infantryman. Hoplites fought in closely-spaced rows.
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tyrants
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Leaders who appeared with promises of a better life. These people seized power in defiance of law, but ruled with the support of the people. The more commonly used definition now (rulers exercising absolute power brutally and oppressively) was developed over time.
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popular government
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People could and should rule themselves rather than being ruled by others.
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democracy
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A form of government in which all citizens take place. Full political rights were only granted to a small portion of the population, called citizens.
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Homer
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The blind poet who (according to tradition) composed the two greatest epics, the Iliad and Odyssey. Homer’s existence, and whether or not he was really one person, are questioned by scholars.
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Zeus
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The king of the gods, who was the most powerful and father of both humans and gods.
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Athena
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The namesake for Athens, who was the daughter of Zeus. Athena was the goddess of wisdom, technical skill, and womanly virtue.
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Mount Olympus
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The home of the gods, with 12 seats for the 12 original gods (others, like Dionysus, were added later)
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helots
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Spartan slaves, who were generally captured in war, and were forced to work for the Spartans. They made up a majority of the population, and thus were feared as the potential for a rebellion emerged.
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ephors
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Overseers of Sparta, who were elected for 1 year terms, and had unlimited power to oversee the kings and citizens, acting as guardians.
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metics
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The second class of people in Athens, who were non-citizens. They were free and worked for themselves, but did not have property/government rights. Metics could become very rich, and with enough wealth may eventually become citizens.
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archons
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Athenian rulers who served 1 year terms of office. These people appointed the other officials and made laws (not written down).
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direct democracy
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A democracy in which citizens participated directly in decision making.
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representative democracy
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Democracy in the U.S., in which citizens elect representatives to run the government.
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Draco
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An archon, given credit for Athens’ first written laws, which were severe and harsh (namesake for Draconian laws).
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Solon
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A respected and trusted archon, who fixed dispute between debtors and creditors, by cancelling debts and outlawing debtors enslavement. Citizens were divided into 4 groups by wealth—top 3 could hold office. This gave non-aristocrats more power. Reforms did not end periods of unrest in Greece.
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Peisistratus
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A ruler who seized power as a tyrant. A relative of Solon, he had a following among the lower class, and improved economy and exiled disagreeing nobles. He distributed the land of these nobles to the lower class.
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Cleisthenese
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Overthrew aristocrats, and made changes that created Athenian democracy. Ended divisions in 4 groups, and created 10 tribes, each spit into 100 smaller units. These units were self-governing, and chose the Council of 500.
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Piraeus
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The special port of Athens, to help protect itself against pirates.
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terracing
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Creating small, flat plots of land by building low walls on the hillside and filling spaces between them with soil.
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rhetoric
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The study of oratory (public speaking) and debate.
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pedagogue
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A male slave, who taught manners and went with boys wherever they went (including school)
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sophists
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Wise men who opened and taught schools for older boys.
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Cyrus of Persia
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Conquers Lydia, and aquires the city-states in the western Aegean.
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Darius
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A Persian ruler, who tightens rule and raises taxes (leads to Greek rebellion). When revolts occur, he easily diminishes them, but wishes to punish the Athenians for their support. He helps to begin the Persian war.
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Xerxes
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Darius’s son, who bring a great army and fleet from every part of the Persian Empire. This army was about 100k troops. He was tricked by Themistocles into attacking in the Salamis straight, where the Athenians were able to defeat the Persian fleet, despite the difference in size.
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Themistocles
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The Athenian leader during the Persian war, who persuaded his people to abandon the city and refuge elsewhere. He tricked Xerxes into attacking the Athenians in the Salamis strait.
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Battle of Marathon
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The inspiring battle at Marathon, in which the Persians outnumbered the Athenians, yet the Athenians defeated the Persians.
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Pericles
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Great general, orator and statesman. Served as a general for many years, and dominated public affairs for a great time, when Athens was most prosperous. Democracy reached height under Pericles.
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Battle of Thermopylae
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The Persians lead a march through the narrow pass of Thermopolae, but are stopped by a smaller group of men than themselves. These men hold the pass for 3 days, until a traitor tells the Persians another way around the pass. Even though they were greatly outnumbered, the remaining Greeks stayed and fought till every one of them was dead. Inspired others to keep fighting.
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Battle of Salamis
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Xerxes is tricked by Themistocles to attack the Athenian fleet. The narrow strait nullified the numerical advantage of the Persians, and the Greeks were able to take advantage of their position and engage in hand-to-hand with Persians, defeating and sinking most ships.
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Delos
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The original location of the Delian League funds, until they are taken back to Athens and used for Athenian benefit only.
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Battle of Plataea
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In the year after Battle of Salamis, Athens and Sparta defeat The Persians at Plateae, the final battle which ended the Persian Wars.
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Hellenistic Culture
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The arts are extremely valueable: architecture, painting, sculpture, etc.
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Myron
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One of history’s greatest sculptors, who sculpted The Discus Thrower.
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Phidias
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Created two exquisite statues of Athena, which were on the Acropolis and in the Parthenon. Greatest work was the statue of Zeus at the Temple of Olympia, which was 40 ft high. This was one of the “7 Wonders of the World” of the Greek time.
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Praxiteles
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First to create delicate, lifelike and life-sized sculptures, expressing admiration for the human body.
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philosopher
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“lover of the wisdom”
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philosophy
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study of the most fundamental questions of reality and human existence.
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dramas
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plays which contain action or dialogue, and contain both conflict and emotion. These were always written in poetic form.
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tragedies
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Part of a drama, in which the main character struggles against fate. A combo of outside forces overcome the central character.
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hubris
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excessive pride in self or accomplishments, this offended the gods and doomed the character to a tragic fate.
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comedies
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Mocked ideas and people, which introduced comic and tragic figures, in which the central characters succeed in solving their problems.
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Socrates
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One of the greatest thinkers and teachers, who became a teacher. He disagreed with the Athenian education, thinking it shoud be free. He endorced questions and invented the Socratic Method. He also criticized democracy, which made him many enemies. He was tried on impiety and corruption of youth, and was executed.
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Plato
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A young aristocrat and one of Socrates’ greatest students. He travelled through the Mediterranean and founded the Academy, a school devoted to teaching philosophy. Plato wrote dialogues between people to convey Socrates’ teachings, and created the “Theory of Forms” (everything physical was an imperfect expression of the perfect universal form or idea. Interested in politics, and felt that people should do work that they are suited for.
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Aristotle
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One of the students in the Academy, who collected facts and organized them, an early form of scientific thinking. Aristotle collected info in almost every field of knowledge imaginable. He felt that the perfect government had a middle class.
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Pythagoras
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A philosopher, most remembered for the invention of the Pythagorean Theorem (a2+b2=c2).
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Democritus
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Used logic and math to develop the atomic theory: that the whole universe is made of tiny particles of matter, which are called atoms.
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Hippocrates
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Made great strides in medicine, and taught that disease comes from natural causes, not as punishment from the gods. He also created the Hippocratic oath (code of medical ethics), which is still used today.
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Herodotus
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An enthusiastic traveler and first Western historian, he visited Babylonia, Phoenicia and Egypt, and wrote a history of these countries and his impressions of the people. He exaggerated, but distinguished clearly between first hand and accounts of others. Called the “Father of History”.
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Thucydides
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A Greek historian who was famous for History of the Peloponnesian War. He felt that studying the past gives an understanding of human nature. Tried to make history unbiased and accurate.
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Aeschylus
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One of 3 best known writers of tragedy, he wrote of religious beliefs and the relationships between gods and people. Focused on: murder of Agamemmnon and following revenge.
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Sophocles
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Another writer of tragedy, who defended tradition values. Wrote Oedipus Rex.
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Euripides
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The third playwright, who was a realist. He questioned old beliefs and ideas, and showed the reality and misery of war.
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Aristophanes
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The finest writer of comedies. Poked fun at Socrates, and used comedy to make Athenians think about war and it’s causes.
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Socratic Method
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Asking questions, getting an answer, and asking a new question about the answer, to gain knowledge. (not strict memorization)
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infantry
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A group of soldiers trained to fight on foot.
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phalanx
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Two rows of soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder and equipped with long pikes. They were effective against oncoming cavalry.
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orators
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Public speakers.
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Philip II of Macedonia
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A king, who admired the Greek lifestyle. He created the finest army in Macedonian history, which had an infantry, phalanx, and archers. Under his rule, unified the Greek city-states.
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Demosthenes
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One of the finest orators in Athenian history, who led an opposition to Philip II. He attacked Philip in speeches.
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Alexander the Great
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Philip’s son, who received a great education in both the arts and military, who had admirable military strength. He became self-declared as the master of strength. Lusted after acquiring more land.
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Macedonia
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The homeland of Philip II and Alexander the Great, which was just north of the Greek peninsula.
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Syria
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Conquered by Alexander the Great.
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Egypt
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Conquered by Alexander the Great.
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Indus River
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A the G went as far as here in 4 years, without meeting any opposition.
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Susa
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The meeting place of the two split parts of Alexander’s army, though most died before reaching it. The great army was never reassembled in the same way.
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Diogenes
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The best known Cynic.
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Pyrrho
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Credited as the founder of Skepticism.
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Zeno
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Established the Stoic philosophy.
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Epicurius
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Founded the Epicurean philosophy.
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Euclid
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A noted Greek mathematician who developed a system of geometry and how statements of truth (theorems) develop off of one another.
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Archimedes
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The greatest scientist of the Hellenistic period, who used geometry to measure spheres, cones and cylinders. He calculated the value of Pi, and used math to explain the lever.
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Aristarchus
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Believed that the Earth and planets moved around the sun, but could not convince other astronomers and scientists.
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Hipparchus
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The first scientist to use trigonometry, and calculated the times of eclipses of the Sun and moon, the length of the year, etc.
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Eratosthenes
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Calculated the circumference of the Earth with amazing accuracy.
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time
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Extreme courage, bravery, etc.
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sibyl
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Possessed woman found at an oracle, who told future and could communicate with the divine.
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maenads
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Followers of Dionysis, who were dangerous and destructive.
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anthropomorphic
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Belief that gods took on human-like forms and characteristics.
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polytheistic
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Belief in more than one god.
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Medea
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Evil sorcerer who punished her husband by boiling children and poisoning his new bride.
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Hellenic
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Greek
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Hellenistic
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Similar to the Greeks, of the Greeks
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Cynicism
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People should live according to nature, scorning pleasure, wealth and social position.
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Skepticism
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No definite knowledge is possible, because everything is always changing. People can’t know reality.
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Stoicism
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Divine reason directs the world. Whatever fate dictates is right, and people should just accept what fate gives them.
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Epicureanism
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Aim of life focuses on seeking pleasure, and avoiding pain.
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Battle of Chaeronea
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Philip’s army defeats the forces of Thebes and Athens, and Philip becomes master of Greece.
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Delian League
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A system of alliances that ultimately included 140+ city-states, each contributing ships or money to the alliance.
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Peloponnesian War
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The war amongst Greek city states, particularly Athens and Sparta, which came from the many differences between the two city-states.
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Parthenon
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A white marble temple built in honor of Athena, which stands at the top of the Acropolis in Athens. This is the finest example of Greek architecture.
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Arthur Evans
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Discovered Knossos at Crete, which begun to prove the existence of the Minoans.
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Minotaur
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Half man half bull creature, supposedly owned by the Minoans, which was in the labyrinth.
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linear A
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Early Minoan writing, which is not deciphered.
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linear B
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Indo-Aryan contact leads to Linear B, which is an early form of Greek.
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Knossos
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Minoan palace, located on Crete.
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Dorians
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A primitive and illiterate invading tribe which took over Greece and begun it’s “dark ages”, a time in which writing disappeared entirely, until Phoenician traders brought it back.
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Council of 500
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A group of rulers made up by 50 people from each tribe, who proposed laws to the assembly.
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Perioikoi
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2nd social class found in Sparta.
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Barracks
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Army homes where Spartan boys are sent at age 7.
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Heinrich Schleimann
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First archaeologist, who claimed to have “discovered” Troy and 4 other ancient cities. He faked the proof, however, and is part of the reason why archaeologists aren’t trusted.
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assembly
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A group of people who met 10 times a year and were the source of ultimate authority.
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