Term
Greek Dark Ages
(Around 1200-800BC) |
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Definition
Named "Dark Ages" for lack of archeological evidence/artifacts. Fall of Mycenian empire, economy, social structures, hierachy, and heriditary rule.
During that time, the Greeks would change their lifestyle (a moderately sedentary lifestyle) and rediscover urbanized culture (such as writing, which would widely spread). As a result, classic and popular tales about the culture of Greeks spawn as we know today. For instance, Homer's epic tales appear to have come from within that time period of about 400-450 years. |
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Term
Arete
Earliest Appearance in Greece. |
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Definition
| "Virtue". Basic sense of being the best one can be; uttermost excellence. Philosophically, one can live a life that enables them to reach their full potential. Arete paves the way for Christianity and its ideal of living a self-sufficient lifestyle to spread. |
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Term
Polis
After Greek Dark Ages |
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Definition
| A city-state. Served for political purposes for its small size (which allowed political experimentation). Its small size in addition to the lack of class distinction allowed for democracy. However, the most common form of government in Greek city-states would later be oligarchy. It plays a part in the evolution of European political structures. |
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Term
Hoplite
Around 8th to 7th century BCE |
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Definition
| Infantry soldiers that operated efficiently through large battle formations (phalanx). A hoplite was a free citizen who fought for his city-state and had to maintain his own equipment, which consists of a spear (to thrust) and a shield. The hoplites heavily influenced ancient Spartan society, which geared its goals towards war, focusing primarily on conquering. Due to the immense power of the hoplites, leaders that were favored by them could quickly rise to power. |
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Term
Phalanx
750-350 BC (Archaic/Classical Periods)
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Definition
A battle formation that consists of hoplites in an organized line.
The front line would use their shields to cover the rest while the first few "ranks" would project their spears out of the openings between the shields, leaving no vulnerable spot and making it difficult for the enemy to lay a frontal assult.
The phalanx was most effective on flat terrain as it was easier to maintain formation.
The use of the phalanx lead to the victory of the Greeks over the Persians in the Persian War and allowed Alexander the Great to conquer and reign. |
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Term
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Definition
| A person who comes into power by him/her own means instead of through hereditary or constitutionary power. In Greece, tyrants were influential people (good and bad) that the citizens favor over kings because of the tyrants' power to rule mostly unbiasedly. However, some tyrants stayed in power through their abuse of mercenaries outside of their respectable city-state. The rise of tyrants changed Greece from being a society governed by the wealthy to one that empowers the citizens. The rise of tyrants eventually lead to the formation of democracy, as tyrants that were bad did not favor the citizens. |
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Term
Lycurgus
Approximately 800-730 BC |
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Definition
Legendary lawgiver of Sparta; established Spartan constitution, military institutions, and an educational system. Believed in the three Spartan virtues: equality, military fitness, and austerity. Lycurgus lead the military-oriented reformation of Spartan society. |
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Term
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Definition
Remembered for his efforts to legislate against political, economic, and moral decline in archaic Athens. Layed the foundation for Athenian democracy, the rise of the first Athenian Constitution.
Pioneered the concept of individual rights.
Imposed graduated taxation on people.
His rule lead to the formation of the Council of 400 (which later become 500) which gives power to the citizens. |
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Term
Cleisthenes
About Early 4th century to mid 4th century BCE.
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Definition
Credited with reforming the constitution and reorganizing the government of ancient Athens. His contributions to Athenian democracy lead historians to call him the "father of Athenian democracy". |
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Term
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Definition
| Alliance of 173 city-states of Greece, under the leadership of Athens. The formation was made partly in response to Alexander the Great as no city-state alone could have had the power to stand up to him. The Delian league was formed after the Persian War, when all the city-states were left powerless. Although largely democratic, the Delian league was ruled by a powerful, brilliant political leader called Cimon. Under his rule, the league attacked the Persians mercilessly. Due to the ruthless control the Athenians exerted through its policies, the Delian league soon became the Athenian league. |
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Term
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Definition
| Took place in Greece, where the Battle of Marathon between Athens and Persians occurred. Legend says that after Persians lost, a man named Pheidipides, ran over 140 miles to Athens to inform that the Persians had lost. The marathon was revived in the 20th century and has influenced the modern marathon today, which is a great sporting event that is held worldwide. |
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Term
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Definition
| A statesman, orator, and general of Athens during the "Golden Age". Percles turned Delian League into Athenian empire and lead his people in the Peloponnesian War. Promoted the arts and literature, which is the primary reason why Athens holds a "reputation of being the educational and cultural centre of the ancient Greek world". |
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Term
Socratic method
469 BC–399 BC |
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Definition
| "Form of inquiry and debate between individuals with opposing viewpoints based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas." In modern times, the socratic method is widely used for legal education in law schools (primarily in the United States). |
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Term
Peloponnesian war
431 to 404 BCE |
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Definition
| A Greek war between the Athenian empire and the Peloponnesian league lead by the Spartans. The War heavily reshaped the ancient Greek world as Athens, the once-powerful city-state, was reduced to nearly nothing and Sparta became the leading power in Greece. This affected history. =D |
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Term
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Definition
An Athenian Aristrocrat; Greek historian and writer of "The History of the Peloponnesian War".
Considered the "father of 'scientific history'" because of his strict standards of evidence-gathering and his analysis' on cause and effect didnt involve the gods.
Due to his works, Thucydides influenced Western historiography. |
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Term
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Definition
| is a temple in the Athenian Acropolis, Greece,that is dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena.It is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece, and it is cosidered to be the enduring symbolof athenian democracy. |
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Term
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Definition
- The study of ancient greece. The word, Hellenistic, is derived from the word, Hellene, which was the Greek word for the Greeks. During this time, Greek cultural influence and power was at its zenith in Europe and Asia. Hellenism has greatly influenced many cultures such as the jewish diaspora, muslims, catholics, and germans.
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Term
Philip of Macedon (the II)
382 – 336 BC |
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Definition
- Ruler of Macedon from 359 BC to 336 BC
- expanded the macedonian empire
- conquered all of greece
- father of alexander the great
- improved his army and economy
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Term
Alexander the Great
356-323 BC |
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Definition
- Ruled Macedon from 336 Bc to 323BC
- Created one of the largest empires
- began the invasion plans where his father left off
- Conquered the Persian empire
His series of campaigns has allowed cultural diffusion, or the spread of the ideas, styles and such throughout the region of conquest; this vastly changed the European world.
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Term
Alexandria
331 BC-present |
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Definition
- Founded by Alexander the Great
- Used as the link between Greece and the Nile valley
- largest city in the world during the hellenistic period
- Alexander's body was buried there
- Home to the Great library of Alexandria
- provided many historians the info to record ancient history
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