Democracy and Greece's Golden Age

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Questions and Answers

What are the three goals that Pericles had for Athens?

Pericles three goals were to strengthen Athenian democracy, to hold and strengthen the empire, and to glorify Athens.

Why was a strong navy important for Athens?

A strong navy was important for Athens because it helped strengthen the safety of its empire and because prosperity for Athens depended on maintaining and gaining access to the surrounding waterways.

The Parthenon was a unique style of architecture for Greek temples.

False

What are the two main types of drama that the Greeks wrote?

Tragedy and Comedy Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the book that Herodotus wrote about the Persian Wars?

The book that Herodotus wrote about the Persian Wars is called "The Histories." Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the most important work Plato wrote?

Plato's most famous work is called "The Republic." Signup and view all the answers

What two groups of people were considered the most influential rivals in Athenian history?

The two most influential rivals in Athenian history were Socrates and Aristotle, Signup and view all the answers

What was Pericles' strategy for Athens during the Peloponnesian War?

To avoid land battles with the Spartan army and wait for an opportunity to strike Sparta and its allies from the sea. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the plague that swept through Athens during the Peloponnesian war?

The plague that swept through Athens in the second year of the Peloponnesian War was a frightful plague. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Athenians send a huge fleet to Sicily?

The Athenians sent a huge fleet to Sicily in order to destroy the city-state of Syracuse, which was a wealthy ally of Sparta and a major enemy of Athens. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Athenian Philosophers search for?

After the war, many Athenians lost confidence in democratic government and began to question their values. This led them to search for the truth and seek help from thinkers called "philosophers." Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Sophists, and what did they question?

One group of philosophers, the Sophists, questioned people's unexamined beliefs and ideas about justice and other traditional values, including the existence of the traditional Greek gods. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Socrates?

Socrates was a critic of the Sophists who believed that absolute standards did exist for truth and justice. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Socrates get into trouble with the Athenian legal system?

Socrates was brought to trial for "corrupting the youth of Athens" and "neglecting the city's gods" because he questioned the Athenian legal system, making many feel unsettled and insecure. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Plato, and how did he follow his teacher?

Plato was a student of Socrates who wrote down the conversations of Socrates "as a means of philosophical investigation." Signup and view all the answers

What was Aristotles most impressive contribution to history?

Aristotle, one of Plato's most impressive students, challenged the established ideas of his day and invented a method for arguing according to rules of logic that was applied to problems in the fields of psychology, physics, and biology. Signup and view all the answers

While Socrates was in jail, he was visited by Plato who urged him to defend himself and argue his case to the Athenian court.

False Signup and view all the answers

What type of student was Aristotle?

Aristotle is described as one of Plato's brightest students. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three branches of government that Pericles said Athens was run by?

The three branches of government Athens was ran by were the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judicial Branch. Signup and view all the answers

All citizens of Athens could participate in Athenian government.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the most important difference between Athens and Sparta?

Athens had a stronger navy and Sparta had a stronger army. Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the war that resulted in the decline of Athens?

The war that resulted in the decline of Athens was called the Peloponnesian War. Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the peace agreement that was signed after the war?

The peace agreement that ended the war was called the Peace of Nicias. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Democracy and Greece's Golden Age

Greece established lasting standards in art, politics, literature, and philosophy
The Golden Age of Athens lasted from 477 BCE to 431 BCE
During this era, Athens saw advancements in drama, sculpture, poetry, philosophy, architecture, and science
Pericles led Athens for 32 years (461-429 BCE).
Pericles emphasized strengthening Athenian democracy, maintaining the empire, and glorifying Athens.
Athenian democracy: male citizens over 18, born of citizen parents, laws voted on directly by the assembly, leader chosen by lot, executive branch composed of a council of 500 men, varied-size juries, no attorneys, one day trials
Pericles increased public officials and their salaries, making public office accessible to poorer citizens

Pericles' Plan for Athens

Goal 1: Strengthen Democracy: increased public officials, paid salaries, expanded citizen participation
Goal 2: Strengthen the Empire: used Delian League's treasury to build a strong Athenian navy
Goal 3: Glorify Athens: used Delian League's resources to build magnificent sculptures and architecture (e.g., Parthenon).

Terms & Names

Direct Democracy: citizens directly rule, not through representatives
Classical Art: emphasizing harmony, balance, and proportion in art, ideal beauty, not realism
Tragedy: serious dramas about common themes
Comedy: contained scenes of slapstick and crude humor critiquing politics.
Peloponnesian War: a war between Athens and Sparta
Philosopher: "lover of wisdom", seeking truth.
Socrates: emphasized questioning beliefs to achieve self-knowledge
Plato: student of Socrates, wrote The Republic
Aristotle: student of Plato, developed a method for logical argument

Athenian and US Democracy

Both systems featured citizen participation and three branches of government but differed in specific approaches to representation and judicial processes
Athenian citizens directly participated in governing
U.S. citizens elect representatives to govern

Athenian and Spartan Conflicts

Athens and Sparta had conflicting interests, leading to hostility, eventually escalating into the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE)
Athens had a stronger navy, Sparta had a stronger army
Pericles' strategy was to avoid land battles and rely on the Athenian navy
The war was devastating for Athens, eventually leading to their defeat

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Description

Explore the significant contributions of ancient Greece during the Golden Age of Athens, from 477 BCE to 431 BCE. This quiz covers the advancements in art, politics, literature, and philosophy under the leadership of Pericles, who expanded Athenian democracy and strengthened the empire. Assess your knowledge of this transformative era and the impact of Athenian democracy.