Bronze Age Collapse and Iron Age Transition

Bronze Age Collapse

• Significant societal decline occurred around 1200 BCE.
• Marked by societal changes including the fall of the Mycenaean palace system.

Mycenaean Decline

• The Mycenaean palace system experienced destruction.

Sea Peoples

• Caused disruptions to trade and destabilized settlements.

Linear B Writing

• A bureaucratic script that decreased in use after the Bronze Age Collapse.

Decentralized Communities

• Smaller and isolated communities formed after the collapse.

Iron Age

• Began around 1050 BCE.
• Marked by the increased use of iron.

Iron Tools

• More readily available and longer-lasting than bronze.
• Improved agricultural output.

Early Polis

• Early city-state structures emerged during the Iron Age.

Homer

• Key epic poet of the time.
• Wrote the Iliad and Odyssey.

Iliad

• Epic poem focusing on Achilles' rage and heroism.

Odyssey

• Epic poem centered on Odysseus' cunning and perseverance.

Dactylic Hexameter

• Poetic meter used in Homeric epics, suitable for oral recitation.

Rhapsodes

• Professional storytellers who preserved and performed epic poems.

Geometric Pottery

• Geometric designs dominated Greek art from 900-700 BCE.

Dipylon Amphora

• A type of burial vase showcasing artistic intricacy and wealth.

Greek Religion

• Polytheistic, with gods represented in human form.

Zeus

• Sky god, and King of the Greek Pantheon.

Hesiod

• Poet known for Theogony and Works and Days.

Theogony

• Hesiod's explanation of the gods' genealogy and power.

Works and Days

• Hesiod's didactic poetry on morality and farming.

Pandora

• Mythical figure linked with the origin of human suffering.

Choral Practices

• Collective singing and dancing important in rituals.

Sacrifices

• Animal offerings to appease the gods, crucial in religious rituals.

Olympia

• Zeus' religious sanctuary and site of festivals.

Delphi

• Apollo's oracle, famous for cryptic prophecies.

Egalitarianism

• Increasing social equality in burial practices during the early Iron Age.

Cultural Memory

• Preservation of cultural values through oral traditions.

Heroism (Kleos)

• Concept of glory and honor in Greek culture.

Hospitality (Xenia)

• Important cultural value emphasizing friendship and generosity.

Greek Colonization

• Driven by population growth, economic needs, and political pressures.

Overpopulation

• Rapid growth leading to land shortage and food scarcity.

Economic Needs

• Access to resources and trade was a significant driving force of expansion.

Political Pressures

• Internal tensions and exiles caused settlements abroad.

Apoikia

• Independent Greek colonies connected to their mother city.

Oikists

• Leaders chosen to settle and lead new colonies.

Syracuse

• Important trade center founded by Corinth (734 BCE).

Cyrene

• Agricultural colony established by Thera (631 BCE).

Cultural Exchange

• Interaction between Greeks and indigenous people resulted in the mixing of cultures.

Economic Growth

• Colonies provided vital resources to mainland Greece.

Homeric Warfare

• Focused on individual heroism and glory.

Phalanx Formation

• Infantry tactic that focused on coordinated movements and discipline.

Hoplite Ethos

• Military success directly linked to citizenship.

Trireme

• Three-tiered ship which dominated Greek naval forces.

Inscriptions

• Colonial charters offering insights into governance systems.

Chigi Vase

• Pottery that depicts early hoplite tactics.

Political Impact

• Colonization solidified the identities of Greek city-states.

Cultural Unity

• Shared practices strengthened a common Greek identity.

Lykourgan Reforms

• Radical changes aimed to create a highly militarized citizen body in Sparta.

Agoge System

• State-directed training and education for Spartan boys.

Syssitia

• Mandated communal dining to promote equality among Spartan citizens.

Helots

• State-owned serfs who provided agricultural labor in Sparta.

Perioikoi

• Non-citizens involved in trade and craftwork in Sparta.

Polis System

• City-state structure was the core political and social unit.

Agora

• Central marketplaces and gathering spaces in Greek city-states.

Drakon's Laws

• Severe laws intended to curb aristocratic justice in Athens.

Ekklesia

• Citizen assembly for participation in Athenian government.

Tyranny

• Rule by individuals who seize power unlawfully.

Peisistratus

• Athenian tyrant known for public works and the arts.

Cypselus

• Corinthian tyrant promoting trade and infrastructure improvements.

Sparta

• Militaristic polis focused on internal strength and stability.

Athens

• Polis known for legal reforms and civic participation.

Citizenship in Sparta

• Limited to full Spartan males.

Solon

• Athenian reformer who addressed social inequalities.

Kleisthenes

• Athenian reformer who promoted broader civic participation.

Greek poleis

• Flexible city-states effectively dealing with both internal and external challenges.

Coinage

• Standardized currency introduced in the 7th century BCE.

Electrum

• Natural gold-silver alloy used for early Greek coins.

Aegina's Turtle Coins

• Coin designs reflecting maritime power.

Athenian Silver Drachmae

• Depicted Athena and owl representing wisdom.

Symposion Culture

• Aristocratic drinking parties integral to the elite lifestyle.

Kraters

• Mixing bowls used in symposion culture for blending wine.

Lyric Poetry

• Personal poetry focused on love and political expression.

Sappho

• Lyric poet known for love poetry.

Alcaeus

• Lyric poet expressing political themes and experiences of exile.

Kouroi Statues

• Life-sized male sculptures used as grave markers or offerings.

Korai Statues

• Life-sized female sculptures commonly used as offerings.

Anavysos Kouros

• Sculpture combining realism and traditional symmetry.

Patronage

• Wealthy individuals supported public projects and cultural endeavors.

Panathenaic Festival

• Cultural event sponsored by the Pisistratid family in Athens.

Sanctuaries

• Religious sites serving as gathering places for social and diplomatic purposes.

Olympic Games

• Athletic competitions honoring Zeus, held every four years.

Amphictyonic League

• Supervised the sanctuary at Delphi to maintain protection.

Temple of Hera

• Example of early Doric architecture at Olympia.

Pythian Games

• Religious festivals at Delphi combining music and athletics.

Isthmian Games

• Festival near Corinth dedicated to Poseidon.

Nemean Games

• Athletic competitions similar to the Olympics in Nemea.

Pankration

• Brutal sport combining wrestling and boxing.

Arete

• Greek ideal of excellence.

Athletic Victories

• Brought prestige to individuals and their city-states.

Pindar's Victory Odes

• Poems celebrating athletes and their city-states' achievements.

Choral Poetry

• Performed at festivities, emphasized collective unity.

Alcman

• Spartan poet focusing on unity and tradition.

Lyre and Aulos

• Musical instruments enhancing the emotional impact of choral performances.

Black-Figure Pottery

• Pottery that portrayed athletic competitions and cultural themes.

Kouroi and Korai

• Sculptures presented as symbols of ideal youth and divine favor.

Treasury of the Athenians

• Monument for showcasing Athenian power after the Battle of Marathon.

Pan-Hellenic Unity

• Shared practices fostered Greek sense of unity and belonging.

Drakon's Reforms

• First Athenian codification of laws (around 621 BCE).

Draconian Measures

• Extremely harsh punishments in Drakon's legal code.

Seisachtheia

• Solon abolition of debt and debt slavery in Athens.

Pentakosiomedimnoi

• Wealthiest class in Athens, eligible for highest offices.

Hippeis

• Athenian cavalry class with political and military responsibilities.

Zeugitai

• Hoplite soldiers, eligible for lower magistracies.

Thetes

• Landless laborers, participants in the Athenian assembly.

Heliaia

• Athenian popular court system with broader judicial representation.

Pisistratus

• Seized power gaining popular support.

Athenian Black-Figure Pottery

• Major export showcasing mythological and everyday scenes.

Exekias

• Celebrated pottery artist known for narrative details.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

• Ambitious architectural project under the Pisistratid rule.

Kouroi

• Greek statues depicting male youth.

Korai

• Greek statues depicting young women.

Panathenaia

• Major Athens festival celebrating culture and unity.

Pisistratids

• Tyrannical Athenian rulers preceding democratic reforms.

Drakon

• Athenian lawgiver and codifier of laws.

Achaemenid Empire

• Persian Empire, significantly expanded under Cyrus and Darius.

Ionian Revolt

• Greek city-state rebellion against Persia (499-494 BCE).

Aristagoras

• Leader of the Ionian Revolt against Persia.

Battle of Lade

• Final Persian victory ending the Ionian Revolt (494 BCE).

Deme System

• Local political units assisting with civic identity in Athens.

Council of 500

• Athenian council representing a larger citizen base.

Ostracism

• Athenian method for temporarily exiling individuals deemed a threat.

Pan-Hellenic Sentiment

• Shared Greek identity strengthened by external threats.

Triremes

• Fast naval ships used by Persian and Athenian navies.

Civic Identity

• Feeling of belonging and participation in the polis.

Geopolitical Importance

• Athens' location was critical to resisting Persian invasion attempts.

Hoplite Forces

• Citizen soldiers of ancient Greece, organized in phalanx formations.

Cultural Patronage

• Political leaders supported the arts and culture.

Economic Grievances

• Economic issues that fueled the Ionian Revolt.

Persian Governance

• Persian administration over Greek city-states via satrapies.

Battle of Marathon

• Key battle where Greeks won against Persia in Athens.

Civic Engagement

• Active participation of citizens in political decisions.

Collective Identity

• Common values uniting members of a larger community.

Cultural and Economic Powerhouse

• Athens transformative process into a strong city-state.

Persian Retaliation Plans

• Darius I's strategy to punish Athens for rebellion.

Strategic Defense

• Athenian preparedness against potential military threats.

Artistic Reflections

• Art and literature depicting cultural and historical themes and events.

Formation of Alliances

• Athens forming alliances with other Greek city-states against Persia.

Spartan Involvement

• Sparta's delayed participation due to religious obligations.

Miltiades

• Athenian general who developed the battle plan for Marathon.

Callimachus

• Athenian polemarch who supported battle engagement.

Hoplite

• Heavily-armed Greek foot soldier in a phalanx formation.

Persian Forces

• Estimated 25,000 soldiers in the Persian Army at Marathon.

Athenian Casualties

• Approximately 192 Athenian soldiers killed at Marathon.

Persian Casualties

• Estimated 6,400 Persian soldiers killed at Marathon.

Psychological Impact

• Greek victory at Marathon boosted confidence against Persia.

Marathon Tumulus

• Burial mound commemorating Athenian soldiers at Marathon.

Xerxes' Invasion

• Massive Persian forces invading Greece in 480 BCE.

Pontoon Bridge

• Bridge constructed by Xerxes to cross the Hellespont.

Battle of Thermopylae

• Battle delaying the Persian advance in 480 BCE.

Leonidas

• Spartan king leading 300 warriors at Thermopylae.

Ephialtes

• Traitor who revealed a hidden path, enabling the Persian forces to bypass the Greek defenses at Thermopylae.

Battle of Salamis

• Naval battle where Greeks defeated larger Persian fleet in 480 BCE.

Themistocles

• Athenian leader who strategized the Salamis victory.

Battle of Plataea

• Final battle which ended Persian invasion of Greece in 479 BCE.

Cultural Legacy

• Greek art and literature celebrated Greek resistance.

Delian League

• Naval alliance formed post-Persian Wars with Athens at the forefront.

Classical Era

• Athenian dominance and cultural flourishing.

Hellenic League

• Alliance of Greek city-states to resist the Persian invasion.

Herodotus

• Historian who recorded and documented the Persian Wars.

Cultural Reflections

• Greek art and literature reflecting the Greek resistance efforts.

Explore the significant societal changes that took place during the Bronze Age Collapse around 1200 BCE and the subsequent emergence of the Iron Age. This quiz covers the decline of the Mycenaean palace system, the disruptive influence of the Sea Peoples, and the rise of early city-states. Test your knowledge on key figures like Homer and his epic works, the Iliad and the Odyssey.