S1 - Greece Terms to Know Flashcards
Geography of Greece
Divided by seas - mountains - islands: lead to decentralized government and independent development of different civilizations
Polis
The greek city-state
Democracy
“People rule” - involves citizen having a say in government, often through voting. Athens was an example of direct democracy (for free men only)
Citizen
In ancient Greece: a free male of a certain city-state. Had the right to partake in law and government
War & Conflict
-The Minoans and Mycenaeans, who came before the Greek city-states, fought and allowed for the new civilizations to develop.
-City-states fought against Persia and won, then forming the Delian League, which became an Athenian sort of Empire. Led to:
-Peloponnesian Wars: Civil wars between the city-states that occurred after Athens had an intimidating amount of power. Lasted for over a millennium.
Drama in Ancient Greece
-social and political commentary
-often humorous
-sponsored by the polis as a part of religious festivals, often with the help of wealthy citizens
Mythology as a Religion
-Believed in a pantheon of gods
-many myths used to explain the world
-some challenged myths with rational and scientific thought
Polytheism
the belief in more than one god
Role of Women - Athens vs. Sparta
Sparta:
-Women expected to be good wives and strict mothers of future soldiers
-Men were often away, so women owned land in their own right, looked after estates, and had no physical restrictions.
-Relatively egalitarian, although men still had more political power
-valued women having more kids to contribute to the polis
Athens:
-Women were isolated
-rarely seen outside of home
-expected to just have children
-no voice in government
-sexist asf
Plato
Greek Philosopher - Student of Socrates who founded the Academy of Philosophy in Athens. True knowledge and the possibility of living a virtuous life come from contemplating the Platonic Ideals.
Socrates
Greek Philosopher - Applied philosophy and politics to people. Questioned logistics of religion and democracy and was executed as a result.
Alexander the Great
Empire Builder - united the Greek city states and defeated Persia to create an empire spanning from Greece to the Indus River valley.
Hellenistic
Relating to Greek history, language, culture / relating to Hellenization. Having come under Greek influence.
Hellenization
The spread of Greek Culture that had begun after Alexander the Great’s conquest of most of the Mediterranean and Central Asia.
Greek Trade
Classical Greek States traded among themselves as a group of small, independent civilizations.
Alexander the Great’s empire had trade routes spanning across Eurasia, making contact with China for the first time, as well as maintaining trade with many states further south of the Indus river.
