Ancient Greece and the Persian Empire

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was the first phase of the integration of Greece into Near Eastern affairs?

The Persians attempting to establish their western frontier.

Why did the Ionians revolt against the Persians?

Some of the Ionian Greek states of Asia Minor, led by Miletus, rebelled.

What was the cultural center of the Greek world at the time of the revolt?

Miletus.

What was the main reason for the Phocian's decision to support the Persians in the second Persian invasion?

<p>They were afraid of the Spartans, but hated the Thessalians. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Greek fleet forced to retreat during the second Persian invasion?

<p>They lost at Thermopylae and Artemisium.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What change to the Athenian archonship was introduced in 487 BCE?

<p>Archons were no longer directly elected but were selected by lot from a group of directly nominated candidates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the main issues that Aristides and Themistocles struggled over in Athens?

<p>Naval policy and political power.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was Themistocles exiled?

<p>Because the people sided with his rival, Aristides.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who were the two Persian commanders involved in the revolt against the Persians?

<p>Datis and Artaphernes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of the Persians in the second Persian invasion?

<p>The permanent addition of Greece to the Persian Empire.</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the Persian invasion, only Athens was prepared to oppose the Persians.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main premise of the Greek strategy against the Persians?

<p>To force Xerxes to choose between an unfavorable land invasion or a maritime one.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the cultural center of the Greek world at the time of the second Persian invasion

<p>Miletus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who were the two main figures in the development of Athenian Democracy?

<p>Ephialtes and Pericles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the final outcome of the Battle of Marathon?

<p>The Persian army was defeated, making it a significant victory for the Greeks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the key factor that contributed to the Athenian victory at Marathon?

<p>Miltiades, an experienced leader in Persian affairs, maneuvered Persian forces to give Athenians a tactical advantage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Athenian victory at Marathon?

<p>It underscored the power of Athenian democracy, and their willingness to stand up to a powerful empire.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main factor that contributed to the Spartan victory during the Peloponnesian war?

<p>The defeat and disintegration of the Athenian empire.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major changes to Greek society occurred after the Peloponnesian War?

<p>The rise of professional mercenary armies and a shift towards more complex forms of warfare.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main factor that led to the decline of the Athenian Empire?

<p>The costly and unwieldy nature of maintaining a large navy and a large empire.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Athenian empire considered controversial by many Greeks?

<p>It limited the freedom and autonomy of many Greek city-states.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the Spartan empire in the years following the Peloponnesian War?

<p>It disintegrated relatively quickly due to internal conflicts and the burden of imperial control.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor led to a dramatic decline in the Spartan army?

<p>The introduction of mercenary armies, a new form of warfare that challenged the traditional reliance on citizen hoplites.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did the rise of a new military model, with its emphasis on professional armies, undermine the traditional Greek city-state system?

<p>It challenged the traditional link between land ownership, military service, and citizenship.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the ultimate impact of the Peloponnesian War on the Greek world?

<p>It ushered in a period of instability and conflict and ultimately paved the way for the rise of Macedonia and its eventual domination of Greece.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason behind the Thebans' inability to maintain their dominance after the Peloponnesian War?

<p>Their own internal conflicts and the death of their key leaders, Epaminondas and Pelopidas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main factor that contributed to the decline of the Athenian Empire?

<p>The costly and unwieldy nature of maintaining a large navy and a large empire.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the main reasons for the decline of Spartan dominance?

<p>The rise of Thebes and the changing political landscape in Greece, along with Spartan's own internal weaknesses and failure to adapt to new forms of warfare.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main contribution of the Theban military reforms?

<p>The creation of a stronger, more powerful military force that challenged the traditional Spartan dominance, paving the way for a new era in Greek warfare.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main problem that Spartan faced in maintaining their empire?

<p>Maintaining a large and powerful navy, which was costly and challenging to manage, unlike managing a land-based army.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main factor that led to the Persian's defeat?

<p>A combination of their own strategic miscalculations, the strength of the Greek city-states and resistance, and some internal rebellions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main difference between the traditional Greek city-states and the new professional mercenary armies?

<p>The latter were not defined by land ownership, citizenship, or allegiance to a particular city, but rather by their professional skill and ability to fight for any who could afford them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was the King's Peace problematic for Sparta?

<p>It led to the rise of a new alliance, the Boeotian League and Chalcidian League, and the unification of Corinth and Argos, which posed a major threat to Spartan dominance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor ultimately led to the fall of Spartan dominance?

<p>A combination of factors including internal instability, the rising power of Thebes, conflicts within the Greek world, and their inability to adapt to the changing dynamics of warfare.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was the outcome of the King's peace controversial?

<p>It appeased the Persian Empire, which encouraged the formation of new alliances and weakened Sparta's grip on the Greek world.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the key factor that led to the rise of Thebes?

<p>The strategic brilliance of their leaders, Epaminondas and Pelopidas, and their adoption of a new military strategy, effectively challenging Spartan dominance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Sparta's biggest weakness?

<p>Their reliance on a rigid social structure and reliance on a highly trained, yet inflexible, citizen army, which made them ill-prepared for adapting to changing warfare strategies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was the King's Peace viewed as a turning point in Greek history?

<p>It marked the end of a united Greece, moving towards a weaker, more fragmented landscape where individual city-states aimed for their own dominance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was Athens's expansion into the Aegean problematic?

<p>It contributed to a period of instability and ultimately led to the rise of Macedonia.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the Greek city-states' main objectives after the Persian Wars?

<p>To secure their independence and autonomy, leading to a complex political situation with constant shifts and alliances, challenging the idea of unified Greek dominance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the rise of professional armies have on the Greek world?

<p>It challenged the traditional power structures of the city-states and paved the way for a new era of warfare that was more sophisticated, flexible, and less reliant on citizen armies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the main reasons for the failure of the Athenian Empire?

<p>All of the above. (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Persian Conquest of Asia Minor

In 547 BCE, the Persian Empire conquered the region of Asia Minor (modern Turkey).

Ionian Revolt

In 499 BCE, several Ionian Greek city-states in Asia Minor rebelled against Persian rule, with some help from mainland Greece.

Battle of Lade

Naval battle in 494 BCE where Persian forces defeated the Ionian Greek rebels.

Persian Sack of Miletus

Miletus, a major cultural center, was destroyed by the Persians after the Battle of Lade, and its population was affected.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Persian Campaign against Athens and Eretria

Following the Ionian Revolt, the Persians targeted Athens and Eretria, Greek city-states actively involved in the revolt.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Battle of Marathon

Decisive battle in 490 BCE where a smaller Athenian and Plataean force defeated a larger Persian army.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Miltiades' Tactics

Miltiades, an Athenian general, strategically weakened the Persian center while strengthening the wings of the Greek army to achieve victory at Marathon.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Athenian Victory's Impact

The Athenian victory at Marathon boosted Athenian confidence and solidified their commitment to their democratic government.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Persian Geographic Weaknesses

The Persian Empire faced strategic challenges in the northeast (open to nomadic invasion) and northwest (threats from Greeks, Macedonians, and Scythians).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Darius Expedition

Expedition across the Danube River, where Miltiades was involved with the King Darius

Signup and view all the flashcards

Euboea

Greek island that was targeted by the Persians after the Ionian Revolt

Signup and view all the flashcards

Marathon Plain

Plain where the battle of Marathon took place.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Archaic Age Exchanges

  • Peoples of Greece and the Near East exchanged goods and ideas during the Archaic Age.
  • The Aegean world was isolated from Near Eastern power rivalries and empire building.

Persian Conquest

  • In 547 BCE, the Persians conquered Asia Minor (modern Turkey).
  • This event brought the Aegean world into Near Eastern politics.

Limits to Persian Expansion

  • The Persians faced geographic limitations in their expansion.

  • Northeast: Vulnerability to nomads in the Eurasian steppe (Caspian Sea to Hindu Kush).

  • Northwest: Greeks, Macedonians, and Scythians posed threats around the Black Sea.

Ionian Revolt

  • In 499 BCE, Ionian Greek states rebelled against the Persians.
  • The rebellion was initially indecisive but the Persians eventually subdued and destroyed Miletus in 494 BCE.

Persian Expansion into Mesopotamia and Egypt

  • In 539 BCE, the Persians conquered the Babylonian Empire.
  • In 525 BCE, Egypt and Libya were added to the Persian Empire.

The Wars of the Greeks

  • The integration of Greece into Near Eastern affairs continued.
  • The Persians attempted to establish a western frontier in the Aegean's region.
  • The consequences included the militarization of Greek society.

Military Revolution

  • Greek military tactics changed after the Persian Wars.
  • New forms of warfare, such as slingers and archers, challenged traditional hoplite methods.
  • Increased professionalization of the army: Mercenaries became crucial.

The Second Persian Invasion

  • In 480 BCE, Xerxes, son of Darius, launched a major invasion of Greece.
  • The Persians aimed to permanently claim Greece for the Persian Empire.
  • The Greeks adopted a strategy of defense at Thermopylae (land) and Artemisium (sea).

The Battle of Marathon

  • In 490 BCE, the Greeks decisively defeated the Persians at Marathon, preventing Persian conquest.
  • Miltiades led the Athenian forces.

Reforms in Athenian Democracy

  • The defeat at Marathon and subsequent Persian setbacks marked a turning point for Athens.
  • Increased participation of citizens in political and social structures.

Athenian Naval Power

  • The naval power of Athens was strengthened significantly, contributing to increased security.

The Second Persian Invasion

  • The Persian invasion in 480 BCE was repelled by the Greek fleet at Salamis.
  • Leonidas and his Spartan troops held back the Persian army at Thermopylae.

Athenian Empire Building

  • The Delian League, formed in 478/477 BCE, aimed to create a united Greek front
  • This League evolved into an Athenian empire.

The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE)

  • The Peloponnesian War pitted Athens against Sparta as rival powers.
  • Consequential battles and events characterized the war, including the Battle of Syracuse.
  • Athenian power declined dramatically over the course of the war.
  • The conflict resulted in the destruction of the Athenian empire and the elevation of Sparta's power.
  • The war significantly changed the balance of power in ancient Greece.

The King's Peace

  • In 387 BCE, a peace treaty between Sparta and Persia temporarily quelled the Greco-Persian conflict.
  • This treaty had major ramifications for the future of Greek states and the relationship between Greece and Persia.

The Rise of Thebes

  • The city-state of Thebes challenged Sparta's dominance in the Greek world.
  • The Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE marked a turning point; Thebes defeated Sparta.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

Archaic Age of Greece and Near East PDF

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser