Early Civilizations in Greece

The Peloponnese peninsula and the Isthmus of Corinth

The Aegean Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and the Ionian Sea

A rich, far-ranging, sea empire based on trade. They traded pottery, gold, and silver jewelry for other goods.

Around 1450 BCE, the Minoan civilization collapsed due to a powerful volcanic eruption triggering a tidal wave or an invasion by the Mycenaeans.

Around 1400 BCE to 1200 BCE

Civil wars and earthquakes impacted Mycenaean civilization, leading to its decline.

A period of population decline, food production decrease, and education ceased

Iron replaced bronze in weaponry and iron farming tools helped reverse the decline in food production.

The Phoenician alphabet, adopted by the Greeks, was composed of 24 letters, making reading and writing significantly easier. This development paved the way for famous works of Homer, such as the Iliad and Odyssey, epic poems that captured the Trojan War and Odysseus' adventures.

The primary unit of political and social organization in ancient Greece, defined by its independent government, territory, and culture. Each city-state exhibited strong citizen loyalty and a sense of shared identity.

The central elevated area of a Greek city-state, often fortified, used as a refuge during attacks and as the religious center, hosting temples and public buildings.

An open public space in Greek city-states serving as a meeting place, market, and social hub.

The central formation of heavily armed infantry soldiers in ancient Greece, known for their close-packed ranks and shield walls, forming a formidable military unit.

A ruler who seized power by force in ancient Greece, often with the support of wealthy traders, who used their wealth to support a ruler who would look after their interests and the poor.

A system of government in ancient Greece where power belonged to a small group of elite citizens. Often a result of the decline of tyrannies.

The Spartan state's expansion led them to conquer neighboring regions, forcing the native population into servitude as slaves, known as Helots.

The Peloponnesian War was a major conflict between Athens and Sparta, two powerful Greek city-states, from 431 to 404 BCE.

Athens, the leading city-state of the Delian League, was blockaded by Sparta. Athens aimed to utilize its naval strength instead of directly confronting Sparta's superior army.

The plague that struck Athens in 430 BCE killed a third of the city's population, including Pericles, Athens' leader.

Despite holding out for 25 years, Athens' defeat came in 405 BCE when its fleet was destroyed at Hellespont. Athens surrendered the following year, marking the end of the Classical Greek era.

Greek religion did not have a set of beliefs or doctrines, nor was it a moral code. Ancient Greeks practiced rituals involving prayers and offerings to favor the gods.

Ancient Greeks consulted oracles - sacred shrines where priests or priestesses predicted the future through divine communication.

Sophocles, an Athenian playwright, is famous for his play Oedipus Rex. Euripides, another Athenian playwright, focused on realistic characters and situations.

Greek comedy developed later than tragedy, often satirizing politicians, intellectuals, and those who took themselves too seriously.

A period in Ancient Greece characterized by advancements in culture, art, philosophy, and politics, spanning roughly from the 5th to 4th centuries BCE. It saw the rise of prominent city-states like Athens and Sparta, and witnessed key battles and developments in political thought.

The term 'Ephors' refers to a council of five men elected annually in ancient Sparta. They held significant power and were responsible for overseeing education, law, and the conduct of citizens. They served as a check on the Kings' authority.

The Athenian Assembly was a governing body in ancient Athens, consisting of all male citizens. This assembly had the significant power to pass laws and vote on important matters. It was a hallmark of Athenian democracy, allowing for direct participation in government.

A system of government characterized by direct participation of citizens in decision-making. This meant all male citizens were eligible to vote and participate in government affairs. It's considered a foundational element of Athenian democracy.

The Delian League was an alliance between Greek city-states formed primarily as a defensive alliance against the Persians after the Persian Wars. Athens took a leading role, and the league later transitioned into a de facto Athenian empire.

A practice in ancient Athens used to temporarily remove citizens from the city, often to protect against ambitious politicians who might pose a threat to the democracy. Someone deemed dangerous could be banished for a period of 10 years.

A period of Athenian history marked by the leadership of Pericles, a statesman who championed Athenian democracy and oversaw a golden age of Athenian art, culture, and innovation. It saw the expansion of Athenian empire and the flourishing of Athenian democracy.

King of Macedon who united Greece and built a powerful army with dreams of conquering Persia.

Philip II's son who took over as King of Macedonia and conquered the vast Persian empire.

Ancient Greek city founded by Alexander the Great, becoming a center of learning, culture, and trade.

The period following Alexander the Great, marked by the spread of Greek culture and influence throughout the Mediterranean and Near East.

A philosophical school that emphasized reason, virtue, and acceptance of fate.

A vast library in Alexandria, Egypt, containing hundreds of thousands of scrolls, regarded as one of the most important knowledge centers in the ancient world.

Alexander's military tactics, including the use of phalanxes and cavalry, played a crucial role in his victories.

Alexander's legacy included the spread of Greek culture, language, and architecture throughout a vast territory, also influencing the development of science and philosophy.

A Greek term meaning "love of wisdom" that refers to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the world, focusing on fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, and morality.

A group of traveling teachers in ancient Greece who emphasized practical skills and rhetoric, arguing that understanding the universe was beyond human reach and focused on individual self-improvement.

The Socratic method is a form of questioning and dialogue used to explore ideas and assumptions, aiming to lead students to discover truths for themselves.

Plato believed in a higher realm of eternal, unchanging Forms, which are perfect and unchanging representations of concepts such as beauty, justice, and truth. The world we perceive is a mere shadow of these ideal Forms.

Aristotle, a student of Plato, believed in examining individual objects to understand their essential nature, rejecting Plato's emphasis on Forms. He focused on observation, analysis, and the identification of categories.

A period of societal decline and disorder that followed the Mycenaean civilization.