Foundations & Timeline
What period in Greek history, lasting roughly 300 years after the fall of the Mycenaean civilization, is characterized by a decline in literacy and population?
The Greek Dark Ages
What is a polis in ancient Greece?
An independent city-state consisting of a city and surrounding countryside
Which ancient Greek philosopher is famous for using the Socratic method, asking questions to help people discover truth and examine their beliefs?
Socrates
What is the Parthenon?
A magnificent temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, built on the Acropolis during Athens’ Golden Age
The Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE) was fought between Athens and Sparta. What was a major consequence of Athens’ defeat?
Athens lost its empire, military power, and dominance in Greece
Which civilization preceded Classical Greece and is known for building impressive palaces at sites like Knossos and Mycenae?
Mycenaean civilization
Which Athenian reformer is known for canceling debts, freeing enslaved debtors, and introducing the idea that all citizens could participate in the Assembly?
Solon
Which philosopher founded the Academy in Athens and wrote works on justice, the ideal state, and the nature of reality?
Plato
What was the enormous statue of the sun god Helios that stood near the harbor of Rhodes?
The Colossus of Rhodes
Which ruler of Macedon conquered Greece and then expanded his empire across Persia, Egypt, and into India?
Alexander the Great
Which ancient Greek poet is credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey?
Homer
Which Athenian reformer is credited with increasing the power of the Athenian Assembly and is considered the father of democracy?
Cleisthenes
Which philosopher emphasized observation and logic and made contributions to biology, physics, and psychology?
Aristotle
Which Athenian leader guided Athens during its Golden Age, oversaw the construction of the Parthenon, and promoted democracy and culture?
Pericles
The military formation in which heavily armed Greek soldiers stood close in overlapping rows called the...?
Phalanx
What is Hellenistic culture?
The blending of Greek and Eastern cultures that spread throughout Alexander’s empire and beyond
Which Athenian reformer created a code of laws so harsh that the word ‘draconian’ still means extremely severe?
Draco
Which Hellenistic philosophical school taught that people should live according to reason and accept what they could not control?
Stoicism
What is the common language developed during the Hellenistic Age and acted as the lingua franca?
Koine Greek
The enslaved people who worked the land for the Spartans were called the...?
Helots
What happened to Alexander the Great’s empire after his death?
It was divided among his generals into several Hellenistic kingdoms
In ancient Greece, a tyrant was a ruler who seized power illegally. Which best describes why some Greeks initially supported tyrants?
Tyrants were seen as rulers who looked out for the interests of ordinary people
Which ancient Greek historian is often called the “Father of History”?
Herodotus
What was the Delian League?
An alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens against Persia
The fortified hilltop where important temples such as the Parthenon were built was called the...?
Acropolis