Greek and Persian Midterm Study Guide

A system where smaller groups within a larger society maintain their cultural identities, with their values and practices accepted by the dominant culture, as long as they are consistent with the wider society's laws and values.

The emperor appointed governors or satraps to administer different parts of the Persian Empire, ensuring stability and control.

A system of collecting taxes and tributes from across the empire, ensuring funding for the military and administration.

The Persian Empire's strategy of adopting and integrating elements from other cultures, strengthening their bureaucracy and court life.

A religious system that emphasizes the importance of good versus evil, with the belief in a single, all-powerful God (Ahura Mazda) and a savior figure (Zoroaster).

Zoroastrianism's belief in a final judgment and a world where good conquers evil, influenced other religions like Christianity and Judaism.

The Persian Empire's system of administration, with satraps governing provinces and imperial spies monitoring each region.

The Persian Empire's practice of respecting and adapting to foreign customs, contributing to the strength and longevity of the empire.

The Spartan assembly was a governing body composed of all male, native-born Spartan citizens over the age of 30. It was responsible for approving key decisions and electing the five ephors who managed day-to-day affairs.

From infancy, Spartans were rigorously trained for a life of military service. Sickly babies were abandoned, and boys began military training at age seven. This involved a rigorous lifestyle of hard exercise, a coarse diet, and strict discipline.

The Spartan ephors were five officials elected by the assembly who had executive power and oversaw the daily operations of the Spartan state.

The Achaemenid Persian Empire, also known as the First Persian Empire, was the largest empire of the ancient world, stretching across western Asia from Anatolia and Egypt to northern India and Central Asia.

Cyrus the Great, who reigned from 559-530 BCE, was a significant ruler of the Persian Empire. He established the empire by conquering Media in 550 BCE, claiming absolute authority and the blessing of the gods while embracing a policy of cultural pluralism.

Darius, who ruled from 522-486 BCE, expanded on Cyrus' policy of cultural pluralism, divided the empire into 20 satrapies, and launched a war against the Greeks to suppress revolts from city-states. He was known for his inscriptions.

Xerxes, the son of Darius, vowed revenge against the Greeks after the Battle of Marathon and launched another war, seeking to punish the Greeks for their earlier defiance. He also left inscriptions behind.

The Royal Road was a network of roads that facilitated trade and communication throughout the Persian Empire. It provided safe passage for merchants and allowed for efficient movement of goods and information.

The Throne Hall in Persepolis, a symbol of the Persian Empire's wealth and power, was destroyed by Alexander the Great in 330 BC.

The Throne Hall in Persepolis provided evidence about the Persian Empire's vast reach and interconnectedness, showcasing various artifacts from different regions.

The Archaic Greek Period (800-500 BC) was marked by the use of Homeric poems as a source of historical reference and cultural identity.

The Greeks viewed the Homeric poems as a window into their past, particularly the "heroic age," recognizing a difference between their own time and the time depicted in these poems.

The Archaic Period saw the rise of the polis, the Greek city-state, a unique political model that consisted of a central city and surrounding territory.

The concept of the polis, though influenced by other ancient civilizations, developed unique features that influenced later political systems.

The formation of the polis was likely due to factors such as colonization, wealth, new land ownership ideas, monumental building projects, geographical factors, and changing funeral practices.

Colonization played a significant role in the development of the polis, as it encouraged the formation of new, self-governing communities.

A form of government where a small group of people have all the power.

Spartan government was an oligarchy, where power was held by a few people, mostly the military leaders and elders.

The ephors were a group of five men who were elected yearly in Sparta and were responsible for the education of young Spartans and for overseeing the conduct of all citizens.

The council of elders was composed of two kings and twenty-eight citizens over sixty years old. They chose the topics to be voted on by the assembly.

All male Spartan citizens were part of the assembly, but they didn't debate. They only voted on the issues presented to them.

The Spartans discouraged foreigners, travel, and new ideas to protect their way of life.

Spartan values emphasized military training, physical strength, and discipline, discouraging intellectual pursuits like philosophy and the arts.

Sparta's military prowess and control over the Peloponnesian League made it a powerful force in ancient Greece.

An assembly of male citizens in Athens with the final authority to pass laws and engage in open debates.

A system of government where citizens have the power to make decisions, in contrast to a monarchy or oligarchy.

Reforms instituted by Cleisthenes in Athens around 508 BCE, which established a more democratic framework.

A council of 500 members chosen by lot from Athenian tribes, responsible for administering foreign and financial affairs.

A confederacy of city-states in ancient Greece, led by Thebes.

A form of government where a small group of people hold power, often based on wealth or status.

The central god of Thebes, known for his connection to wine, theater, and revelry.

A significant city-state in ancient Greece, known for its military strength and trade connections.

Zeus was worshipped in various ways, including through art, architecture, currency, and religious practices.

The Altis was a sacred area in Olympia that housed multiple temples and structures dedicated to various deities.

The Temple of Zeus in Olympia was a massive structure built in the Doric style, featuring a colossal statue of Zeus made of gold and ivory.

Corinth, known as a strategic trading center, prided itself on peace and prosperity, relying on its vast network of colonies to maintain its economic power.

The Bacchiadae Family, a small group of around 200 people, ruled Corinth as a Monarchy and Oligarchy for over 200 years, before being overthrown by tyrants.

Cypselus and Periander, two powerful individuals, ruled Corinth as tyrants, succeeding the Bacchiadae Family.

Corinth's strategic location and extensive network of colonies allowed it to engage in extensive trade with various regions, contributing to its economic dominance in Greece.

Corinth's influence extended beyond Greece through its colonies in Italy, offering residents a familiar experience in a new land.