Persian Wars - Terms & Definitions

Question 1

Democracy

Answer 1

Type of rule, means people power (Athens)

Question 2

Oligarchy

Answer 2

Type of rule, rule by elders (Sparta) has mixed constitution, kings, council of elders, and an assembly of Spartan military

Question 3

Absolute monarchy

Answer 3

A king who rules with absolute power, his word is law (Persia)

Question 4

Tyrant

Answer 4

One man rule. Can be positive or negative (Ionia)

Question 5

Satrap

Answer 5

Persian Governor, oversees a territory of the empire for the king

Question 6

Archon

Answer 6

War magistrate in Athens (Callimachus at the Battle of Marathon) (Themistocles was Archon in 493 BC)

Question 7

Strategoi

Answer 7

General in Athens - 10 Generals, one from each tribe

Question 8

Polemarch

Answer 8

Athenian word for magistrate

Question 9

Athenian citizen

Answer 9

Any male over 18 years of age - needed at first to have one parent a citizen, later Pericles changed it to two parents had to be citizens

Question 10

Ostracism

Answer 10

When people are exiled from Athens for 10 years

Question 11

Ostekon

Answer 11

Pottery taken to vote for ostracism by writing name on it

Question 12

Ekklesia

Answer 12

The Athenian assembly

Question 13

Hellenes/Hellas

Answer 13

Greeks

Question 14

Laconia

Answer 14

Spartan territory

Question 15

Lacedaemon

Answer 15

Spartan, someone whi comes from Laconia which is the state of which Sparta is the main territory

Question 16

Attica

Answer 16

Territory of the Athenians

Question 17

Medising

Answer 17

Submitting to the Persians and giving Earth and Water

Question 18

Karnain

Answer 18

Religious festival in Sparta - reason for not arriving at Marathon

Question 19

Talent

Answer 19

money

Question 20

Greek Congress

Answer 20

Meeting held to unite Greece before the second Persian invasion in 481 BC

Question 21

Delphic Oracle

Answer 21

Oracle is an interpreter for the god’s messages. The Delphic Oracles was the main oracle in Greece

Question 22

Pythia

Answer 22

Priestess of the Delphic Oracle - said “wooden walls” and “Divine Salamis”

Question 23

Troezan Inscription

Answer 23

The decree of Themistocles which outlines the evacuation of Athens and planned defensive positions

Question 24

Phalanx

Answer 24

Greek fighting formation in the shape of a box or rectangle - used at Thermopylae

Question 25

Hoplites

Answer 25

Greek soldiers - named after their shield, a Hoplon

Question 26

Immortals

Answer 26

Elite troops of the Persian Empire

Question 27

Trireme

Answer 27

Naval warship, named after the 3 rows of rowers

Question 28

Penteconter

Answer 28

Part of naval contingency, vessels used for transport of troops and supplies. Also used in battle

Question 29

Diekplous

Answer 29

Naval fighting technique involves forming a column and targeting gaps in the opponent's line, as soon as the opponent turns to reduce the gap the side of the opponent's ship is exposed where the attacking ship then rams. (Used in Battle of Salamis by the Greeks)

Question 30

Kyklous

Answer 30

Defensive naval technique in which ships form in a circle/flower formation with their ships pointed outwards. Here they are protected bu can dart out and shoot forwards to ram an enemy ship. Used in the Battle of Artemesium

Question 31

Ramming technique

Answer 31

This was used by the Greeks: The idea was to sink the enemy ship by putting a hole into the hull of the enemy ship below the water line

Question 32

Boarding technique

Answer 32

Used by the Persian Navy. The idea was to come up close to the enemy vessel and then throw a grappling hook to join the boats before shooting arrows or jumping onto the enemy ship and using hand-to-hand combat

Question 33

Subject State

Answer 33

A territory or city which has lost it's independence and whose foreign policy is determined by a controlling city or state (the degree of independence lost depends on the controlling state)

Question 34

Hubris

Answer 34

Concept that pride can lead to fall. Xerxes was arrogant towards the gods and therefore suffered defeat. Used in Greek tragedies.