Ancient Greek Wars and Democracy

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Questions and Answers

What was a key factor in the Greeks' victory at the Battle of Marathon?

Strong alliance with Sparta at the time

Superior Persian tactics

Outnumbered Greeks utilized effective formations (correct)

Persians were poorly trained

Which Athenian figure is traditionally associated with the run from Marathon to Athens?

Philippides (correct)

Darius

Leonidas

Pericles

What formation did the Spartans utilize to combat the larger Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae?

Skirmish line

Phalanx (correct)

Guerrilla tactics

Cavalry charge

What is a notable feature of the modern marathon distance compared to the ancient marathon?

The modern marathon is 26.2 miles long Signup and view all the answers

How did the Lycurgan reforms influence Spartan soldiers?

Prepared them for rigorous military training Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'democracy' derive from?

demos and kratia Signup and view all the answers

What system of government was established through the Lycurgan Reforms in Sparta?

Oligarchy Signup and view all the answers

During the Persian invasions, who was the Persian king that led the Second Invasion?

Xerxes Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the Spartan military strategy in controlling its helot population?

Strong military presence Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the Battle of Thermopylae?

Leonidas and his 300 Spartans died Signup and view all the answers

What major event did the Ionian Greek Revolt lead to?

The First Persian Invasion Signup and view all the answers

Which battle was significant for the Athenian victory using their navy against the Persians?

Battle of Salamis Signup and view all the answers

What reaction did the Spartan state have toward foreign ideas and travel?

They discouraged new ideas Signup and view all the answers

What significant reforms did Cleisthenes introduce in Athens?

Establishment of the Assembly for all male citizens Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Marathon?

The Greek army defeated Persian forces Signup and view all the answers

Which event marked the beginning of the Ionian Revolt?

Persian conquest of the Ionian Greek city-states Signup and view all the answers

How did Pericles contribute to the Golden Age of Athens?

He oversaw advancements in arts and philosophy Signup and view all the answers

What led to the unification of Greek forces against Persia during the Second Persian War?

The threat posed by Xerxes' invasion Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary consequence of the Peloponnesian War for Athens?

Loss of its political power and influence Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Delian League play after its formation in 478 BC?

It enabled Athens to pursue a powerful maritime empire Signup and view all the answers

Which battle marked a significant defeat for King Xerxes' armies?

Battle of Salamis Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ancient Greece

Geography: Greece is a peninsula with numerous islands, an important factor for trade and cultural exchange
Timeline of Ancient Greece:
- Earliest Neolithic settlements (c. 6000 BC): Beginning of agriculture
- First settlement of Athens (c. 3000 BC)
- Minoan Civilization (2200-1500 BC): Bronze Age civilization on Crete with unique architecture, labyrinthine palaces, and bull-focused artwork (Minotaur legend); navy for trade, and influence in the Aegean Sea
- Mycenaean Civilization (1900-1100 BC): First confederacy of city-states on mainland Greece. Famous culture focused on honor and glory in battle, including the Trojan War (c. 1194-1184 BC)
- Greek Dark Age (c. 1100-750 BC): Following the collapse of Mycenae, many Greeks migrated. A loss of cultural and written works took place.
- Founding of Sparta (c. 1100-750 BC): Sparta developed into a powerful military oligarchy, conquering neighboring regions and holding people as helots(slaves).
- Homer writes the Iliad and Odyssey (c. 800-700 BC): Epic poems of the Trojan War and Odysseus' journey, regarded as authentic history.
- Greek Colonization (c. 800-500 BC): Greek city-states populated areas like Spain, Sicily, Egypt, and Crimea, spreading their culture and trade
- Reforms of Solon (594 BC): Crucial Athenian reforms canceled land debts and freed enslaved farmers.

Athenian Reforms and Developments

Reforms of Solon (594 BC): Canceled land debts; freed enslaved farmers; enabled non-aristocrats to be politically active
Pisistratus' Tyranny (560 BC): Aristocratic leader seized power and established tyrannical trade policies
Cleisthenes' Reforms (508 BC): Expanded Athenian democracy; instituted the Assembly (with all male citizens) and the Council of Five Hundred (chosen by lot) for foreign affairs and finances.

The Polis

The Polis: A City-state that was the center of Greek life including the city and the surrounding countryside
Acropolis: Central hill where citizens gathered for political, social, and religious activities
Agora: Open space below the acropolis used as a market and assembly place
Citizens with rights: Adult men
Citizens with no rights: Women and non-citizens

Spartan State

Conquered neighboring states and enslaved their inhabitants (Helots) to control a population of laborers.
Strong military focused on controlling the helots and the Peloponnese
Discouraged foreign contact and travel, focusing on self-sufficiency.
Lycurgan Reforms focused on establishing an oligarchy-government by a few.
Total loyalty to the Spartan State was essential.

Greek Warfare

Hoplites: Heavily armed infantrymen who carried round shields, swords, and spears
Phalanx: Rectangular battle formation used to engage enemies head-on
Triremes: Warships which featured three banks of oars

The Persian Wars

Ionian Revolt (499-494 BC): Ionians revolted against Persian rule with support from Athens and Eretria.
The First Persian Invasion (492-490 BC): Persian attempts to conquer Greece, including the Battle of Marathon.
The Second Persian Invasion (480-479 BC): Persian attempts to conquer the Greece, featuring the Battles of Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea.

The Golden Age of Athens

Major political figures include Pericles
Artistic development of the Parthenon and flourishing of philosophy, arts and drama

The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC)

Rival city-states (Athens and Sparta) fought over control of Greece.
Major causes included conflict over power (the Athenian Empire) and Athens' influence as a powerful naval power.
Phases included the Archidamian War, the Sicilian Expedition, and the Decelean War
The plague in Athens and the Athenian fleet's destruction at Aegospotami contributed to the war's conclusion, ending the Golden Age
Sparta's victory ultimately weakened all Greek city-states

The Rise of Macedonia (338-323 BC)

Philip II of Macedonia invaded Greece and unified Greek forces under Macedonian leadership
Philip II’s assassination allowed his son, Alexander the Great, to take control and expand the Macedonian empire throughout the Persian Empire, until Egypt and parts of India were under Macedonian rule.
Alexander the Great’s influence led to a period of cultural fusion known as the Hellenistic Era.

The Hellenistic Era

Era characterized by the spread of Greek culture and ideas throughout Alexander the Great's vast empire in the Hellenistic Kingdoms.

Other Information (Additional details):

Significant figures in Athenian history, like Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles
Overview of the differences between Athens and Sparta in political and social structures.
Key battles: Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea, Aegospotami, and Chaeronea.
Overview of military practices and strategies
The development of democratic institutions in Athens.
Role of art (Parthenon).
Important philosophers in this era (Socrates, for example).

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Description

Test your knowledge on key events and figures of the Ancient Greek wars, including the Battle of Marathon and Thermopylae. Discover how military strategies, reforms, and the birth of democracy influenced the course of history. Dive into the fascinating world of classical Greece!