AP World Classical Period (Europe) Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What were the Persian Wars?

Wars between the Romans and the Carthaginians

Wars between the Persian empire and Greek city-states (correct)

Wars for control over the Roman Empire

Wars between Athens and Sparta

What are Mycenaeans?

First Greek-speaking people who invaded Minoans and dominated the Greek world from 1400 B.C. to 1200 B.C.

What was Sparta known for?

A powerful Greek military polis often at war with Athens.

What is Athens renowned for?

A democratic Greek polis known for its cultural achievements. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Philip II?

An ancient Greek king of Macedon who was the father of Alexander the Great. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Alexander of Macedon?

A conqueror of most of the ancient world from Asia Minor to Egypt and India. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Hellenistic Empires?

The territories influenced by Greek culture after the death of Alexander the Great. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Roman Republic period?

The period from 507 to 31 B.C.E. when Rome was governed by the Roman Senate. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Julius Caesar?

A Roman patrician who formed the First Triumvirate and declared himself 'Dictator for Life'. Signup and view all the answers

What is Pax Romana?

A period of peace and prosperity throughout the Roman Empire from 27 BCE to 180 CE. Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about Constantine?

A Roman Emperor who issued the Edict of Milan and founded Constantinople. Signup and view all the answers

Why were the Peloponnesian Wars significant?

They led to the destruction of Greek economies and allowed Philip II of Macedon to conquer Greece. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Twelve Tables of Rome?

Codified Roman laws that included the concept of 'innocent until proven guilty'. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Punic Wars?

A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage from 264-146 B.C. Signup and view all the answers

What is a republic?

A form of government where people elect representatives to govern. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Council of Nicaea?

To agree upon correct Christian doctrine initiated by Constantine. Signup and view all the answers

What is a city-state (polis)?

A smaller settlement that operates under its own laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is syncretism?

The blending of two or more religions or belief systems. Signup and view all the answers

What two empires were at their height in the classical period?

The Han and the Roman Empire. Signup and view all the answers

What are some reasons for the decline of Rome?

Series of plagues, lower population, reliance on mercenaries, and government corruption. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Attila the Hun?

A fierce leader who led nomadic invasions and created a loose kingdom from Germany to China. Signup and view all the answers

How does Buddhism compare to Christianity?

Both appeal to lower classes and emphasize good deeds as a path to salvation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Silk Roads trade route?

A network of trade routes connecting the East and West. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Persian Wars

5th century B.C.E conflicts between the Persian Empire and Greek city-states.
Greek victories helped shape Greek cultural identity.

Mycenaeans

First Greek-speaking people; invaded Minoans.
Dominated the Greek world from 1400 B.C. to 1200 B.C.
Engaged in maritime trade and participated in the Trojan War.

Sparta

Renowned Greek military polis noted for a strict warrior culture.
Relied on helots, a class of enslaved individuals, for agricultural labor.

Athens

Democratic city-state celebrated for cultural advancements.
Frequently engaged in conflict with Sparta.

Philip II of Macedon

Ruled Macedon from 359 B.C.E until his assassination in 336 B.C.E.
Father of Alexander the Great and pivotal in shaping Macedonian power.

Alexander of Macedon

Born in 356 B.C.E; died in 323 B.C.E.
Conquered lands from Asia Minor to Egypt and India, initiating the Hellenistic Age.

Hellenistic Empires

Era that followed Alexander’s death, marked by extensive Greek cultural influence.
Included key regions such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece.

Roman Republic

Spanned from 507 to 31 B.C.E., governed predominantly by the Roman Senate.
Characterized by an aristocratic patrician system.

Julius Caesar

Roman general and statesman (100-44 B.C.E), key figure in the First Triumvirate.
Declared himself "Dictator for Life" after winning a civil war.

Pax Romana

A period of unprecedented peace and stability across the Roman Empire (27 B.C.E to 180 C.E.).

Constantine

Roman Emperor from 306 C.E to 337 C.E, important for issuing the Edict of Milan.
Founded Constantinople, which became the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

Peloponnesian Wars

(404-431 B.C.E) Conflict between Athenian and Spartan alliances.
Devastated Greek economies, leading to Macedonian conquest.

Twelve Tables of Rome

Codification of Roman law, established the principle of "innocent until proven guilty."

Punic Wars

Three conflicts (264-146 B.C.E) between Rome and Carthage.
Resulted in Carthage's destruction and Roman dominance in the western Mediterranean.

Republic

A government model where representatives are elected by the populace to make laws.

Council of Nicaea

Convened by Constantine to establish Christian doctrine and resolve theological disputes.

City-state (polis)

Independent settlements with their own laws, foundational elements of Greek society.

Syncretism

The process of blending two or more religions or belief systems.

Empires of the Classical Period

The Han Dynasty in China and the Roman Empire in the Mediterranean reached their peak during this time.

Decline of Rome

Contributing factors included plagues, labor shortages, reliance on mercenary troops, governmental corruption, and unstable leadership succession.

Attila the Hun

Reigned from 406 to 453 C.E.; known for leading invasions and establishing a vast, albeit ephemeral, kingdom.

Comparison of Buddhism and Christianity

Both religions appealed to lower social classes, with movements promoting good deeds for salvation and emphasizing life after death.
Christianity organized hierarchically like the Roman government, whereas Buddhism sought to mitigate social structures.
Christianity gained wider reach due to organized missionary efforts and conversion strategies.

Silk Roads Trade Route

A vital network facilitating trade across Asia, promoting cultural and economic exchange.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the Classical Period in Europe with these flashcards. Explore key terms such as the Persian Wars and Mycenaeans that shaped ancient civilizations. Perfect for AP World History students.