Ancient Greece: Slavery, Hoplites, and Tyranny

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Questions and Answers

What was the main reason Cleisthenes initiated reforms in 508 BC?

To prevent tyranny from continuing (correct)

To strengthen military alliances

To diminish the influence of the common people

To increase the power of aristocratic families

Which event marked the increase in violence within the tyranny before Cleisthenes' reforms?

The establishment of democratic practices

The successful overthrow of Pisistratus

The death of Hipparchos (correct)

The rise of the common people

What structural change did Cleisthenes implement regarding tribes?

He increased tribes from 3 to 15

He eliminated all tribes and centralized power

He established 4 to 10 tribes that elected a strategos (correct)

He reverted back to a monarchy with no tribes

What role did the sons of Pisistratus play in the political landscape prior to Cleisthenes' reforms?

They captured power without opposition Signup and view all the answers

What was the general sentiment towards the tyranny leading up to Cleisthenes' reforms?

It began to deteriorate, becoming more violent and chaotic Signup and view all the answers

What were the two main types of slavery mentioned?

Communal slavery and chattel slavery Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant difference in living conditions for enslaved people?

Slaves in silver mines had worse conditions than household slaves Signup and view all the answers

Which factor did NOT contribute to the military importance of hoplites?

Independence in battle tactics Signup and view all the answers

Who was Pisistratus and what was his impact on Athens?

A ruler who brought stability and promoted culture Signup and view all the answers

What was a defining characteristic of the phalanx formation?

Arrangement in tight rows for defense and offense Signup and view all the answers

Which group had no political rights in Athens?

Metics Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'tyranny' refer to in the context of Athens?

Control by a tyrant who seized power non-hereditarily Signup and view all the answers

Who attempted an early coup in Athens to seize control?

Cylon Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the Peloponnesian War?

Political instability and numerous civil strifes Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Spartan leaders mentioned in relation to the political changes after the war?

Lysander and Agis Signup and view all the answers

What did Sparta do in 382 BC?

Installed an oligarchic pro-Spartan movement in Thebes Signup and view all the answers

What was a key characteristic of the Second Athenian League established in 379 BC?

A naval league with independent member states Signup and view all the answers

What was one economic crisis experienced after the war?

Decline in pottery production Signup and view all the answers

What did the democratic exiles seek to accomplish?

Restore democracy in their homelands Signup and view all the answers

What contributed to the bloodshed following the Peloponnesian War?

Struggles for power and resources Signup and view all the answers

What is noted about the political structure of the Second Athenian League?

It consisted of assemblies of equal weight. Signup and view all the answers

What significant battle did Alexander face against Darius III in 331 BC?

Battle of Gaugamela Signup and view all the answers

During which period did the Hellenistic culture primarily flourish?

321 to 30 BC Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Cosmopolis' refer to in the given context?

A city-state comprising the world Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable weakness of the Etruscans?

Independent city-states Signup and view all the answers

What can students infer about the Etruscan burial practices based on archaeological findings?

They practiced burial with cinerary urns in pit-graves Signup and view all the answers

What was a result of the re-organization of Alexander's empire after his death?

Union of Greeks and barbarians Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'religious syncretism' in the context provided?

Blending and merging of different religious beliefs Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of the Villanovan culture related to the Etruscans?

Cremation with urns interred in pit-graves Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of Lysander in the context of the political changes mentioned?

Commander and overseer of the oligarchic government Signup and view all the answers

What significant event took place in 379 BC?

The overthrow of the oligarchic government in Thebes Signup and view all the answers

Which military formation was used by Thebes leading to their victory?

Oblique phalanx Signup and view all the answers

How many jurors (dikasts) typically participated in normal cases in the Athenian Justice System?

201 to 501 Signup and view all the answers

What type of government was established after the Decarchies?

Oligarchic regime Signup and view all the answers

What was a key characteristic of the dikasteria in the Athenian Justice System?

Each jury decided its verdict independently Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC?

The Spartans lost their supremacy Signup and view all the answers

How were cases brought to the tribunal in the Athenian Justice System?

Individuals brought their own cases without formal police involvement Signup and view all the answers

What did the Thirty Tyrants symbolize in Athenian history?

An oligarchic regime backed by Sparta Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the Athenian dikasteria?

Each trial was conducted in one day without appeals Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Slavery in Ancient Greece

Two types of slavery existed: communal and chattel slavery.
Slaves had no rights and were considered property.
Slaves were sold at slave markets.
Living conditions varied based on the type of work.
Slaves working in silver mines faced harsher environments compared to household slaves.

Hoplites

Citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greece trained in heavy armor, carrying a shield (hoplon) and a spear.
Employed the phalanx formation, a tightly packed defensive and offensive strategy reliant on teamwork.
Represented core Greek values: excellence (arete), bravery, and loyalty to city-states.
Crucial to Greek victories, particularly in the Persian Wars, due to their superior armor and tactics.

Tyranny in Athens

Rule by a single individual who seized control, often not through heredity.
Cylon's failed coup illustrates Athenian resistance to tyranny.
Pisistratus, a tyrant, brought stability, promoted culture, and initiated important festivals and temple constructions, laying the groundwork for democracy.

Citizens: Free male Athenians with political rights and land ownership; women's roles were limited to the home.
Metics: Foreign residents without political rights but engaged in trade.
Foreigners: Temporary visitors with no rights.

Cleisthenes (508 BC)

Introduced Athenian democracy with reforms aimed at preventing power struggles between aristocratic families.
Established 10 tribes, each electing a strategos.
This system contributed to a more stable and democratic government.

The End of Tyranny in Athens

The sons of Pisistratus gained control, but the tyranny became increasingly violent after Hipparchos was killed.
Democratic exiles, aided by forces from Thebes (Thrasybulus), eventually ended the tyranny.
Sparta, under Lysander, became the guarantor of peace and the architect of the new political order.

Spartan Hegemony

Sparta established dominance following the Peloponnesian War.
382 BC: Sparta destroyed the Boeotian League and installed a pro-Spartan oligarchy in Thebes.
379 BC: The Athenian League was re-established with Athens as the leader, but members remained free and independent.

Lysander

Spartan commander who played a key role in reshaping Athens after the Peloponnesian War.
Reorganized Athenian governance.
Established a system where there were no tributes levied on member states.

The Thirty Tyrants

A pro-Spartan oligarchy that ruled Athens after the Peloponnesian War.
The Thirty were made up of 10 Spartan officials and 700 Spartan soldiers.
This regime's goal was to guarantee the stability of newly formed oligarchic regimes.

The Athenian Justice System and Socrates’ Trial

Dikasteria: People's courts that played a significant role in the Athenian legal system.
Dikasts: Jurors who decide cases.
Trials were a single-day affair, with no appeals and precedence not being significant in judgment.
Citizens were responsible for bringing their own cases to court, with no police or formal investigations.

The Battle of Leuctra (371 BC)

A decisive victory for Thebes over Sparta, marking the end of Spartan supremacy.
Led by Epaminondas and Pelopidas, the Thebans employed the oblique phalanx, a new tactical formation that proved successful against the Spartans.

The Rise of Thebes

Thebes rose to become a dominant power in Greece after the Battle of Leuctra.
Led by Epaminondas, Thebes conquered several cities and territories, including Messenia.

Alexander the Great (333 BC)

Conquered the Persian Empire, marking the end of the Persian Wars.
Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC): Final battle against Darius III in Northern Iraq, where Alexander secured his victory.
Destruction of Persepolis: Symbolic act signaling the end of the Persian Empire.

The Hellenistic Period (321 - 30 BC)

A period of significant cultural and linguistic convergence.
Characterized by a shared language and culture, predominantly influenced by Greek traditions.
A "melting pot" of cultures, with a significant degree of religious syncretism.

The Etruscans

An indigenous people or immigrants who settled in Etruria (territory between the Arno and Tiber rivers).
Never a united kingdom, but rather comprised independent city-states, a weakness that allowed Rome to rise.
Left an archaeological record, including evidence of their unique burial practices (cremation and cinerary urns).

The Etruscan Language

While Etruria shared a culture, it possessed a distinct language.
Remains of Etruscan writing allow for ongoing study and understanding of their culture and history.

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Description

Explore the complex social structure of Ancient Greece, focusing on slavery, the role of hoplites in warfare, and the concept of tyranny in Athens. Understand the dynamics of communal and chattel slavery, the significance of citizen-soldiers, and the impact of tyrants like Pisistratus on Greek society. This quiz will challenge your knowledge of these critical historical elements.