Greek Dark Age Foundations
This Bronze Age civilization collapsed around 1100 BC, contributing to the beginning of the Greek Dark Age.
Mycenaean civilization
Heavily armored Greek infantry soldiers who fought primarily on foot.
hoplite
This Persian ruler governed the empire during the Ionian Revolt.
Darius I
This battle in 490 BC resulted in a surprising Greek victory against Persia.
Battle of Marathon
This Persian king launched a massive invasion of Greece after the death of Darius.
Xerxes I
This method preserved Greek stories, history, and heroic values before widespread writing returned.
oral tradition
The military formation where soldiers stood shield-to-shield in tightly organized ranks.
phalanx formation
This rebellion by Greek cities in Asia Minor challenged Persian authority in the region.
Ionian Revolt
The Persian army landed on this coastal plain about 26 miles from Athens.
Marathon
Greek city-states formed this cooperative military arrangement to defend themselves against Persia.
Greek alliance
These long narrative poems about the Trojan War and Odysseus helped preserve Greek cultural memory.
the Iliad and the Odyssey
Because each soldier depended on the man next to him in battle, Greek warfare emphasized this idea of shared responsibility within the polis.
Civic Duty
This Greek city-state angered Persia by sending ships and troops to assist the Ionian rebels.
Athens
The Greek commander who helped organize the Athenian forces at Marathon.
Miltiades
These fast Greek warships powered by rows of oars played an important role in naval warfare.
trireme
Independent Greek political communities that combined a city with surrounding farmland were known by this term.
polis
Explain how the structure of hoplite warfare reflected the political structure of Greek city-states.
citizen soldiers fought together and expected shared responsibility in political decision-making
The Persian motivation to attack mainland Greece after the revolt can best be described by this strategic goal
retaliation against Athens
Explain why the Greek victory at Marathon had limited territorial impact but enormous psychological importance.
it demonstrated that the Persian army was not invincible?
Explain why rival Greek city-states were willing to cooperate when Xerxes invaded.
the threat of Persian conquest forced rivals to unite for survival
Explain how the development of citizenship within the polis changed the relationship between individuals and political power in Greece.
citizens were expected to participate in defense and political life rather than simply obey rulers
Analyze why Greek infantry tactics were often more effective in close combat than Persian military organization.
Greek heavy armor and tight formations were stronger in direct battle than lightly armed Persian forces
Explain why Persian expansion into Asia Minor made conflict with mainland Greece increasingly likely.
Greek cities valued independence while Persia ruled through imperial control
Analyze how the outcome of Marathon influenced Greek military preparation before the next Persian invasion.
Greeks increased military readiness and confidence in resisting Persia
Analyze how the Persian invasion helped strengthen a shared Greek cultural identity.
a common external enemy encouraged Panhellenic cooperation and identity