Lecture 5: Greek Bronze Age and Civilization

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following factors was NOT a consequence of the Trojan War?

A sudden and sustained decrease in population

Decreased trade and economic stagnation

A sharp decline in the quality of decorated ceramic vessels

An increase in the number of skilled laborers, such as metalworkers (correct)

What role did the aoidoi play in maintaining continuity between the Mycenaean period and the Dark Age?

They developed new agricultural techniques to improve the economy.

They led military campaigns to restore the Mycenaean kingdoms.

They served as advisors to the kings of the new city-states.

They preserved and shared stories of the Mycenaean heroes and kingdoms. (correct)

What three crucial sites were typically found within the urban center of a Greek polis?

A marketplace (agora), a sanctuary for worship, and a citadel (acropolis) (correct)

A gymnasium, a theater, and a library.

A harbor, a royal palace, and a temple dedicated to Zeus.

A marketplace (agora), a temple dedicated to Apollo, and a public bathhouse.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a polis in the Archaic Age?

A centralized government controlled by a single ruler. Signup and view all the answers

Which two poleis are highlighted as having particularly prominent roles in the Classical Period?

Sparta and Athens Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the tension between Sparta and Athens during the Classical Period?

They competed for dominance in the Greek world. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic that defines a Spartan citizen as defined in the content?

Anyone who owned land. Signup and view all the answers

Which group in Spartan society did NOT have the right to vote according to the text?

Craftsmen without land Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following governing bodies had veto power in Spartan government?

Ephors Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Spartan government considered oligarchic?

The majority of citizens could not vote. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main function of the Spartan Assembly?

To approve decisions made by the Gerousia. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Spartan Kings play in the government?

They were primarily military leaders. Signup and view all the answers

How many members were there on the Spartan Council of Elders?

30 Signup and view all the answers

What was a key feature of Mycenaean palaces compared to Minoan palaces?

Centred around fortified structures Signup and view all the answers

Around what year did the Mycenaean Civilization begin to dominate mainland Greece?

1650 B.C. Signup and view all the answers

Which script was used by the Mycenaeans in their administrative records after the takeover of the Minoans?

Linear B Signup and view all the answers

Who was the High King among the Greeks during the time of the Trojan War according to the Iliad?

Agamemnon Signup and view all the answers

What roles did 'wanax' and 'basileis' represent in Mycenaean society?

King and noble member of court Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following deities is NOT mentioned in the Linear B tablets?

Aphrodite Signup and view all the answers

What significant event is associated with the transition to Linear B script around 1450 B.C.?

The Mycenaean takeover of Minoan palaces Signup and view all the answers

What evidence from Linear B indicates a structured society within Mycenaean civilization?

Detailed lists of possessions Signup and view all the answers

What was Solon's primary objective when he formulated the laws in 594 B.C.?

To restore peace between feuding Athenian classes Signup and view all the answers

What unique aspect did Solon's classification of citizens introduce?

Non-hereditary classification based on wealth Signup and view all the answers

How were poorer citizens' rights impacted by Solon's reforms?

They gained the right to vote and participate fully in the Assembly Signup and view all the answers

What major political change did Cleisthenes implement in 508 B.C.?

Political reorganization of Attica into demes and trittyes Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of combining demes into trittyes in Cleisthenes' reforms?

To ensure representation of different backgrounds in governance Signup and view all the answers

What was abolished as a part of Solon's legal reforms?

The institution of debt slavery Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of citizenship did Solon's laws emphasize for the poorer classes?

Enhanced judicial appeal rights Signup and view all the answers

How many tribes did Cleisthenes create by combining trittyes?

10 tribes Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary characteristic of the Mycenaeans' burial practices?

Elaborate displays of wealth and status Signup and view all the answers

What evidence suggests a strong emphasis on hierarchy within Mycenaean society?

The existence of specialized titles like 'wanax' and 'basileus' Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Mycenaean art from Minoan art, despite borrowing techniques?

The frequent depiction of violent scenes and warfare Signup and view all the answers

Which of these factors contributed to the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization?

A sudden influx of foreign invaders Signup and view all the answers

The construction of tholos tombs was primarily intended to:

Demonstrate the power and wealth of the deceased Signup and view all the answers

The Mycenaeans' artistic achievements reached their peak in which area?

Architecture Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely explanation for the destruction of Mycenaean palaces around 1200 B.C.?

The invasion and conquest by foreign forces Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the difficulty in identifying the invaders who caused the Mycenaean collapse?

Insufficient archaeological evidence to determine their identity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups held the most power in both Spartan and Athenian society?

Citizens Signup and view all the answers

How did the Spartans respond to the challenges of their socio-economic structure?

They focused on a highly disciplined military training program for all citizens. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a unique characteristic of the Spartan agōgē system?

It separated children from their families and placed them in military training groups from a young age. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Athenian approach to conquering surrounding villages differ from the Spartan approach?

Athens peacefully absorbed conquered populations into their own citizenship. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the socio-economic structure of Athens in the Archaic Period?

A society with a significant gap in wealth between its citizens. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main factor leading to social strife in Athens?

The practice of debt slavery among the poorest citizens. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Spartan and Athenian approaches to dealing with their respective populations of enslaved people differ?

Sparta practiced a form of chattel slavery, while Athens primarily used debt slavery. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes the contrast between Sparta and Athens in terms of their approach to social structure and governance?

Sparta relied on a rigid social hierarchy based on birth, while Athens embraced a more fluid social system based on wealth. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lecture 5: Greek Bronze Age and First Greek Civilization

Mycenaean Civilization (ca. 1650-1100 BCE): Centered in mainland Greece, around fortified palaces with massive walls on elevated, defensible positions compared to the Minoan palaces situated on islands.
Naming: Named after the Mycenae, an important Mycenaean site, referenced in the Iliad, associating them with the Trojan War and the Greek legends, suggesting Agamemnon as a key figure.
Early Development and Trade: Emerged in mainland Greece around 1650 BCE after centuries of migration from the north. Traded with Minoans, possibly taking over Cnossus and Crete around 1450 BCE. The Minoan palaces experienced significant damage around this time, possibly related to the Mycenaean expansion.
Linear B Script: Key evidence of a Mycenaean takeover of Minoan Crete is the change from Linear A to Linear B, a written script found on clay tablets. These tablets document administrative activities and are written in Linear B, a form of Greek.
Mycenaean Society Structure: Evidence suggests a stratified society with a Wanax (king) and Basileis (nobles) leading their communities, supported by a significant slave class. They appear to have been warriors and hunters.
Mycenaean Burials: Elaborate burial practices included massive, underground tholos tombs that displayed wealth and military prowess.

Mycenaean Collapse

Around 1200 BCE: Mycenaean civilization experienced a sudden collapse marked by widespread destruction of palaces, decline in population, loss of literacy, and economic stagnation.
Causes Hypothetical: The collapse is attributed to multiple factors, such as a possible invasion by unknown groups ("Dorian Greeks") or internal conflicts. These factors led to the downfall of the Mycenaean elite and the consequent loss in quality of Mycenaean artistry.
Dark Age (1200-776 BCE): This period followed the collapse, characterized by the continued existence of Greece's traditions, but with diminished political organization, and an attenuated continuity with the Greek past via wandering bards (aoidoi) and their storytelling.

Polis (City-State) Development

Contrast to Mycenaean Kingdoms: Archaic Greece witnessed the development of poleis (city-states) in contrast to large centralized Mycenaean kingdoms.
Key Polis Components: Every polis consisted of an urban center (agora), a sanctuary, and a citadel (potentially an acropolis), which were crucial for social, political, and religious activity.
Sparta and Athens in the Classical Period (479-323 BCE): Sparta and Athens dominated the Classical period, often in contention, despite their fundamentally different political structures.
Spartan Oligarchy: A centralized, hierarchical structure with a focus on military preparedness. Hoplites (citizen soldiers) were the basis for Spartan military power; the citizenry was limited to landowning male citizens, excluding most potential combatants, craftsmen and slaves, reflecting a powerful emphasis on military power to maintain societal control.
Athenian Democracy: A more fluid system, with greater participation by citizens in political life. The development of citizenship was based on wealth, and economic distinctions resulted in a significant disparity between citizens. The population consisted of citizens, metics (non-citizens), and slaves, contributing to a complex societal structure.

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Description

Explore the Mycenaean civilization, its emergence in mainland Greece, and its interactions with the Minoans. Delve into the significance of Linear B script and its implications for understanding early Greek history and trade. This quiz will test your knowledge of the key concepts presented in Lecture 5.