Terms Flashcards
(24 cards)
Archon
Position of power created after king decline, carried out religious and judicial duties, 9 archons elected for 1 year terms
Democracy
Derives from the word demos (people) and cracy (rule, means rule by the people
Direct democracy
Not used in 21st century, invented for direct participation in political decisions, any class in Athens could have a say, voting was restricted to 40 000-300 000
Solon reforms
Archons from 2 upper classes were chosen by the assembly, became part of court of appeal and council of elders
Principle of Athenian democracy
Only males over 30 could vote (suffferage), guaranteed rule of law, all citizen were equal before the law (justice),
Assembly
The citizens (men) met 40 times a year, passed law and foreign policy, elected generals
Council of 500
500 members chosen to serve one year, proposed and administered law, conducted routine business when not sitting
Kleroterion
Machine in which volunteer jury members placed their selection
Ostracism (ostracon)
Occurred once per year where citizens voted to exile one citizen for 10 years, citizens with a 6000 majority vote were exiled (on ostracon/pottery)
Athenian democracy legacy
Power was in the hands of 40 000 out of 300 000, system worked for 200 years and continued in modern states, Athenian is had power of speech and equality, laid foundation for western democracy, Sparta and Athens had narrow standards for citizenship
Spartiate
Upper privilege class of 25 000 who had full citizenship rights
Ephor
Means overseer, 5 men elected by assembly who acted as judges that decided laws and customs of the state, council and assembly would have to support policies
Gerousia
Council of elders (28 elected men) over 60 years old that served for life
Perioeci
means dwellers roundabout, third class below spartiates and ephors, could carry out trade and affairs but had no political rights
Helot
Serf/slave, 250 000 people(majority of population), no rights at all
Assessment of spartan government
Seen as forerunner for modern dictatorship, way of life sacrificed personal liberty and family, military sacrifices needed for allegiance, sparta was feared for the military and admired for authority
Frescoes (MINOANS)
Contained daily life, many images of bulls
Minoans
From Asia Minor eventually in Crete, Arthur evens discovered them and coined the term (although changed the site with personal views), 2000-1200 BCE
Palatial period
Largest palace in Knossos that was used for economics and politics
Mycenaeans
Originated from mainland Greece, discovered by Heinrich Schliemann (named it to differentiate them from minions) declared illaid and Odyssey to be history, 1500-1050 BCE
Frescoes (Mycenaeans)
- painting with wet plaster on wet plaster, emphasized warrior and hunting culture
Trireme
Three layers of rowers totalling 170 men, created by Themistocles, battering ram of copper, helped during battle of salamis
Hellenistic age
323-31 BCE, marks Alexander the greek, represented spreading of greek culture, shaped other cultures, new cities (Alexandria, Seleucia),
Classical age
480-323 BCE, most prosperous, established democracy, new advancements in medicine, philosophy and mathematics, influenced resistance era in Europe
