Ancient Greece Vocabulary

• Peloponnesian War took place in the 400 B.C. between Athens and Sparta.
• Philosophy is the study of truth, wisdom, and the ideal way of life.
• Aristocrats were rich landowners.
• Peninsula refers to a land area almost entirely surrounded by water.
• Monarchy is a system of government ruled by a king or queen.
• Oligarchy is a form of government where a small group controls decision-making.
• Democracy is a system of government where citizens vote on governmental decisions.
• Acropolis was a large hill in Ancient Greece used for shelter and safety.
• Agora served as a meeting place and marketplace.
• Citizen is a person with rights and responsibilities in their country.
• Assembly is a lawmaking body made up of citizens.
• Polis is a city-state in Ancient Greece.
• Classical refers to an age marked by great achievements.
• Tyrant is a leader who held power through force.
• Reason is clear and ordered thinking.
• Alliance is an agreement to work together.
• The Persian War was a series of wars between Persia and Greece.

Greek Islands

• Crete is the largest of the Greek islands.
• Rhodes is an ideal rest stop for ships sailing between Greece and Western Asia.

Greek terrain and trade

• Rocky terrain made growing crops difficult in Greece.
• Boats were a common form of transportation for Greek trade.
• Olives were among the most prized Greek exports.
• Slaves and women could not be citizens in Greece.

Sparta

• By 700 B.C., Sparta was the largest Greek city-state.
• Sparta was distinct from other city-states due to its focus on military training.
• Around 600 B.C., slaves revolted against Spartan domination.
• Spartan girls trained in running and throwing javelins.

Athens

• Athenians did not spend much time on military training.
• The Greeks practiced polytheism.
• Colonies were important to the Greeks for defense and trade.
• Persia threatened Greek freedom.
• The Parthenon served as the religious center of Athens.
• The assembly voted on issues.
• Pericles wanted jurors to be paid for their services.
• The Peloponnesian League formed due to jealousy of Athens' power and wealth.
• Athens lost the Peloponnesian war due to disease.
• Macedonia conquered most of Greece by 336 B.C.

Key Figures

• Aristotle educated Alexander the Great, instilling a respect for Greek culture.
• Mount Olympus was the dwelling place of the Greek gods.
• Homer is believed to be the author of the Iliad and Odyssey.
• Socrates was a Greek philosopher sentenced to death for questioning the Athenian government.
• Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, Persia, and part of India, before passing away in 331 B.C.
• Sparta was dominated by the military.
• Attica is a wedge-shaped peninsula that juts into the Mediterranean Sea.
• Plato learned and taught Socrates’ teachings.
• Pericles wanted Athens to allow poor and rich citizens to participate in the government.
• Athens had a large Acropolis dedicated to Athena.