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Questions and Answers
Which of these groups was responsible for the introduction of iron weapons and farm tools during the Greek Dark Age?
Which of these groups was responsible for the introduction of iron weapons and farm tools during the Greek Dark Age?
The Greek Dark Age was a period of prosperity and growth for the Greek civilization.
The Greek Dark Age was a period of prosperity and growth for the Greek civilization.
False (B)
Why did the Greeks adopt an alphabet from the Phoenicians?
Why did the Greeks adopt an alphabet from the Phoenicians?
To simplify keeping track of trade and to allow for easier reading and writing.
The term "______" is used to refer to the descendants of the people who left Greece during the Dark Age.
The term "______" is used to refer to the descendants of the people who left Greece during the Dark Age.
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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What was the main reason for the formation of Greek colonies outside the mainland?
What was the main reason for the formation of Greek colonies outside the mainland?
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The mountainous terrain and seas of Greece contributed to the development of independent city-states.
The mountainous terrain and seas of Greece contributed to the development of independent city-states.
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What was the primary function of the Agora in a Greek city-state?
What was the primary function of the Agora in a Greek city-state?
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Which body of water is NOT one of the three main seas surrounding Greece?
Which body of water is NOT one of the three main seas surrounding Greece?
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The Minoans were known for their elaborate city of Knossos, which was discovered by Heinrich Schliemann.
The Minoans were known for their elaborate city of Knossos, which was discovered by Heinrich Schliemann.
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What were the possible reasons for the collapse of the Minoan civilization?
What were the possible reasons for the collapse of the Minoan civilization?
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The Mycenaean civilization lasted from about _____ B.C. to _____ B.C.
The Mycenaean civilization lasted from about _____ B.C. to _____ B.C.
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Match the following civilizations with their characteristics:
Match the following civilizations with their characteristics:
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How did geography affect the early Greek communities?
How did geography affect the early Greek communities?
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Who was the supreme god in Zoroastrianism?
Who was the supreme god in Zoroastrianism?
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The Mycenaeans are believed to have collapsed largely due to external invasions.
The Mycenaeans are believed to have collapsed largely due to external invasions.
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Which of the following were rights of Ancient Greek citizens?
Which of the following were rights of Ancient Greek citizens?
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The Battle of Marathon was the first victory for the Greeks against the Persians.
The Battle of Marathon was the first victory for the Greeks against the Persians.
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Define a Dark Age in the context of Ancient Greece.
Define a Dark Age in the context of Ancient Greece.
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What was the main strategy employed by Pericles during the early stages of the Peloponnesian War?
What was the main strategy employed by Pericles during the early stages of the Peloponnesian War?
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What event occurred in 499 B.C. involving Greek city-states and Persia?
What event occurred in 499 B.C. involving Greek city-states and Persia?
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All citizens in Ancient Greece were required to fight in the army.
All citizens in Ancient Greece were required to fight in the army.
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Sparta had a powerful navy that allowed it to attack Athenian ships during the war.
Sparta had a powerful navy that allowed it to attack Athenian ships during the war.
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Pheidippides ran ______ miles to announce the Greek victory at Marathon.
Pheidippides ran ______ miles to announce the Greek victory at Marathon.
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What is a phalanx?
What is a phalanx?
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What was King Darius's reaction to the Greek interference during the Persian expansion?
What was King Darius's reaction to the Greek interference during the Persian expansion?
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A citizen in Ancient Greece had to be a free _____ who owned land and was born in the polis.
A citizen in Ancient Greece had to be a free _____ who owned land and was born in the polis.
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What significant event led to a decline in Athens' population during the Peloponnesian War?
What significant event led to a decline in Athens' population during the Peloponnesian War?
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Xerxes invaded Greece in 490 B.C. with a large army.
Xerxes invaded Greece in 490 B.C. with a large army.
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Match the city-state with its governing system:
Match the city-state with its governing system:
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Sparta received financial support from the __________ in exchange for Greek territory.
Sparta received financial support from the __________ in exchange for Greek territory.
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Which of the following statements is true regarding Greek tyrants?
Which of the following statements is true regarding Greek tyrants?
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Which city-state ultimately fell to Sparta due to a blockade?
Which city-state ultimately fell to Sparta due to a blockade?
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What tactic did the Greeks use to surprise the Persians during the Battle of Marathon?
What tactic did the Greeks use to surprise the Persians during the Battle of Marathon?
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Match the following Persian kings with their corresponding events:
Match the following Persian kings with their corresponding events:
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Match the aftermath effects of the Peloponnesian War with their descriptions:
Match the aftermath effects of the Peloponnesian War with their descriptions:
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Women and children were originally granted the same rights as men in Ancient Greece.
Women and children were originally granted the same rights as men in Ancient Greece.
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What was the main reason for the success of Greek city-states?
What was the main reason for the success of Greek city-states?
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After the Peloponnesian War, Athens was stable and maintained its democratic governance.
After the Peloponnesian War, Athens was stable and maintained its democratic governance.
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After the Peloponnesian War, the city-state of __________ took control but soon collapsed.
After the Peloponnesian War, the city-state of __________ took control but soon collapsed.
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What term was used for the enslaved laborers in Sparta?
What term was used for the enslaved laborers in Sparta?
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Spartan boys left home at the age of 10 to go to military camps.
Spartan boys left home at the age of 10 to go to military camps.
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What was the primary aim of Spartan women while their husbands were at war?
What was the primary aim of Spartan women while their husbands were at war?
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Sparta had two _______ that ruled jointly.
Sparta had two _______ that ruled jointly.
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At what age could Spartan men retire from the army?
At what age could Spartan men retire from the army?
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Sparta welcomed trade and allowed citizens to travel outside its territory.
Sparta welcomed trade and allowed citizens to travel outside its territory.
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Match the Spartan age with the corresponding life event:
Match the Spartan age with the corresponding life event:
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What was the primary focus of education in Athens compared to Sparta?
What was the primary focus of education in Athens compared to Sparta?
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Study Notes
Ancient Greece Geography
- Greece was the first civilization in Europe, extending into western Asia.
- Settlements were established in river valleys and surrounded by mountains and seas.
- The mainland of Greece is on the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula.
- A peninsula is a body of land surrounded by water on three sides.
- Key seas surrounding Greece include the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas.
Island Civilization (Minoans)
- Greek myths described a civilization on the island of Crete.
- In 1900 CE, Arthur Evans, a British archaeologist, discovered the Minoan city of Knossos.
- Knossos housed a palace belonging to King Minos.
- Minoan civilization flourished from approximately 2500 BCE to 1450 BCE.
- The cause of their collapse is unknown, but possible reasons include undersea earthquakes or invasion.
Mycenaeans
- The Mycenaeans were traders who adopted Minoan culture, including ship-building and navigation by the stars.
- They worshipped Minoan gods.
- Mycenaean civilization lasted from approximately 2000 BCE to 1100 BCE.
- Their collapse is attributed to internal conflicts and earthquakes.
- Heinrich Schliemann made important discoveries concerning the Mycenaeans in the 1800s.
- Mycenaean palaces were fortified; these centers of government held records of wealth.
The Greek Dark Age
- After the Mycenaean collapse, groups migrated, and the region experienced conflict.
- A Greek-speaking group, the Dorians, invaded the Greek mainland.
- Greece suffered a 300-year period of hardship and uncertainty, known as the Dark Age.
- Focus was solely on survival, with writing ceasing.
- The Dorians introduced significant developments including iron weapons and tools in Greece, a period transitioning into the Archaic Period.
The Rise of the Greeks
- By 750 BCE, the Hellenes (Greeks), originally from the Greek islands, had returned to mainland Greece.
- They brought new knowledge and skills to the region, restarting a flourishing culture.
- The Greeks started trading with other civilizations, like the Egyptians and Phoenicians.
- The rise of trade highlighted the need for a better way of keeping records, leading to the adoption of the Greek alphabet.
- The alphabet was adopted from the Phoenicians, with 24 letters each having its own distinct sound.
- This innovation facilitated reading and writing, marking a shift from oral storytelling.
- The Greek alphabet provided a standard for communication across the region.
Greek Numerals and Alphabet
- The Greek alphabet's letters were also used for numerals.
Recovering from the Dark Age
- Greece's population surged after the Dark Age, leading to food shortages.
- Greeks established colonies along the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in cultural diffusion and new ideas and skills.
Polis (Greek City-States)
- Greek communities, owing to their mountainous terrain and sea access, became fiercely loyal to themselves.
- This led to the formation of numerous city-states, or polis.
- A polis consisted of a major city and its surrounding territories or villages.
- The acropolis, a fortified hilltop in each polis, served as a refuge and a site for religious worship.
- Athens, with approximately 300,000 citizens, had the most extensive population compared to other Greek city-states.
Greek Citizenship
- Ancient Greece directly impacted modern countries, including the U.S., influencing the concept of citizenship.
- Greek citizens enjoyed various rights, such as land ownership, holding public office, voting, and legally defending themselves.
- Citizens had responsibilities like fulfilling government roles and defending their communities militarily.
- Initial requirements for Greek citizenship exclusively included male, free, landowning individuals born in the polis.
- Later, these standards were modified to include and recognize the citizenship of children and women, although they did not gain equal rights with men.
Greek Armies (Hoplites)
- Citizens were obliged to participate in the military, thereby earning their rights.
- Citizen soldiers (hoplites) were outfitted with heavy armor and carried a round shield, short sword, and spear.
- Hoplites marched shoulder-to-shoulder in rows, creating a phalanx formation.
- When faced with enemies, they raised their shields above their heads to protect themselves from projectiles, including arrows.
- Phalanx formations provided a formidable defensive and offensive tactic.
Greek Success
- The Greeks' success stemmed from the strong sense of pride and loyalty within each city-state.
- Soldiers prioritized the needs of their community and citizens over their personal desires.
Spartan Government
- Sparta had two kings who jointly governed, but their authority was limited to the army and religious matters.
- Sparta had two governing bodies.
- These bodies handled judging, law enforcement, and tax collection.
- Sparta maintained a stable government, but it did not embrace outsiders or trade.
- Sparta maintained a powerful military despite not advancing technologically or economically.
Spartan Society
- Spartan boys were trained from the age of 7 in military camps.
- They trained in combat, were educated in writing and reading, and emphasized discipline.
- Emphasis was placed on obedience and harsh treatment.
- Sparta citizens served in the army until age 60 and could marry after age 30, but training continued frequently.
- Spartan women enjoyed freedoms and rights, having more independence compared to other civilizations of the time.
- They had the right to own land, receive training in combat sports and skills.
- Their primary role involved raising strong and brave sons for the army.
Athenian Society
- Athenians prioritized education (arithmetic, geometry, drawing, music, public speaking), and athletic competitions like Sparta.
- Their males had mandatory public education up to age 18.
- Males in Athens were expected to participate in civic and public roles, including governance.
Spartan Women's Lives
- Spartan women were responsible for managing household duties, childcare, and educating their daughters.
- Some women, particularly from wealthy families, had the chance to acquire additional skills including reading, writing, and playing music.
- Compared to women in other ancient civilizations, Spartan women had more independence and rights.
Athenian Women's Lives
- Athenian women focused on managing household duties, educating their daughters, and preparing them for matrimony.
Persian Empire
- Persia was a large empire located in modern-day Iran.
- It expanded under a powerful dynasty of kings.
- King Cyrus the Great played a crucial role in the expansion of the Persian Empire.
- The empire eventually became the largest empire of the ancient world, stretching approximately 3,000 miles from east to west.
Persian Government
- The Persian emperor, Darius I, organized the empire into satrapies for efficient governance and administration.
- Each satrapy had a governor, or satrap, appointed by the emperor.
- The satrap's primary duties were collecting taxes, managing legal conflicts, leading the local police force, and recruiting military personnel.
- The empire maintained a large standing army, known as the Immortals, for defensive and expansionary purposes.
Persian Religion
- The Persian religion, Zoroastrianism, transitioned from polytheistic to monotheistic.
- The principle god was Ahura Mazda, often described as the wise lord.
- Good and evil were presented as opposing forces, with good ultimately prevailing.
Persian Wars Conflicts
- When the Persians expanded into the Mediterranean region, they encountered Greek civilization.
- In 499 BCE, Greek city-states in Asia revolted, seeking help from Athens.
- Although Athens supported the rebellion, they were defeated by the Persians.
- In retaliation, the Persian king, Xerxes, invaded Greece in 480 BCE.
Battle of Marathon (490 BCE)
- It was the first Greco-Persian war.
- It resulted in a surprise Greek victory over the Persians.
- Pheidippides, a Greek messenger, ran 25 miles to announce the victory in Athens.
Battle of Thermopylae (480 BCE)
- The Greeks, despite their numerical disadvantage (7,000 vs 70,000), fought bravely at the pass of Thermopylae.
- A Greek traitor revealed a way for the Persians to bypass this strategically important pass, leading to the defeat of the Greeks.
- King Leonidas and his 300 Spartan soldiers remained to stall the Persian army.
Battle of Salamis (480 BCE)
- The Greek navy, led by Themistocles, lured the Persian fleet into a narrow strait, where the smaller, quicker Greek ships were better.
- The Persian navy suffered severe losses, resulting in a decisive Greek victory.
Battle of Plataea (479 BCE)
- A final battle wherein Greek city-states fought against the Persians and prevailed.
- This was Greece's largest army assembled to date, outnumbering the Persians in soldiers.
Aftermath of the Persian Wars
- The Persian wars left Greece significantly weakened, although their cultural achievements and innovations remained remarkable.
Athenian Democracy
- Pericles transformed Athens into a strong democracy, a system where citizens directly participated in decision-making.
- Athenian democracy differed from the U.S. system's representative model.
- The relatively small Athenian population made this form of direct democracy feasible (6,000 participated actively in their city's governing body).
- This form of governance highlighted Athenian pride and civic involvement.
Athenian Economy
- Athens' economy was heavily supported by slavery, employed to carry out agricultural and other forms of labor.
- Athens had to trade with other colonies and city-states for crucial goods and resources that would help feed their population's nutritional needs.
The Delian League
- The Athenian-led alliance, the Delian League, emerged to protect against future Persian invasions.
- Members contributed ships and personnel, as well as funding.
- The League's treasury was subsequently relocated to Athens.
Peloponnesian War
- The war resulted in conflict between Athens and Sparta.
- Sparta allied with other city-states to surround Athens in an effort to gain control of the Greek peninsula.
- A disease outbreak decimated Athens, weakening them immensely and contributing to their defeat.
Aftermath of Peloponnesian War
- The Greek city-states faced division and setbacks, including deaths, widespread destruction and weakness in governance.
- The war paved the way for the rise of Macedonia.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the Greek Dark Age, the Minoans, and the development of city-states in ancient Greece. This quiz covers significant events, cultural changes, and important figures from the period, focusing on the transition from the Minoans to the Mycenaeans and the formation of Greek colonies.
