Ancient Greece – Polis, People & Democracy
Was Athenian democracy fair for everyone? Explain why or why not.
No. Women, enslaved people, and metics could not participate as citizens in the political assembly.
Develop the testudo formation with your group
The testudo formation (Latin for "tortoise") was an ancient Roman military tactic where legionaries locked their large rectangular shields (scuta) together to form a moving, box-like protective shell against enemy missiles
What does monotheism mean?
The belief in one God.
What was the name of the major pandemic that affected Europe in the 14th century?
The Black Death.
Name two type of art commonly found in medieval religious buildings.
Paintings, mosaics, sculptures, or stained glass.
Compare Athens and Sparta. Mention one important difference in their society or government.
Athens emphasized democracy and education; Sparta emphasized military training and discipline.
two of the Roman military strategies
- Siege machines
- testudo formation
- Multiple line formation
- Building fortifications during campaigns
Name the three monotheistic religions.
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Was the Black Death caused by a virus or a bacterium?
A bacterium called Yersinia pestis.
Mention two fields in which Islamic civilization made significant contributions during the Middle Ages.
Medicine, mathematics, astronomy, or philosophy.
What was a polis in Ancient Greece?
An independent city-state.
Explain one way geography influenced the development of the Byzantine Empire.
Its strategic location between Europe and Asia supported trade, movement, and political influence.
What is the holy book of Islam called?
The Qur’an. (also spelled Quran or Koran)
What is one important difference between a virus and a bacterium?
A virus needs a host cell to reproduce; bacteria are living cells that can reproduce independently.
What was one important role of medieval libraries?
They preserved books and knowledge and helped transmit ideas.
What were metics in Athens?
Foreign residents who lived in Athens but were not citizens.
What was the name of the famous Byzantine weapon that could burn enemy ships?
Greek fire.
How could religion influence people's daily lives during the Middle Ages?
It influenced beliefs, traditions, education, social responsibilities, and how people understood illness.
How did trade routes and the movement of people help the Black Death spread?
People, goods, and animals traveled between cities and ports, helping the disease reach new regions.
How did cultural exchange help science and knowledge develop during the Middle Ages?
Scholars shared, translated, preserved, and developed ideas from different civilizations.
What was the ekklesia in Athens?
The assembly where male citizens discussed and voted on political matters.
What was the capital of the Byzantine Empire?
Constantinople.
Could everyone participate equally in medieval religious and political life? Give one example of a limitation.
No. For example, women generally had fewer political rights and opportunities than men in many medieval societies.
Why did the Black Death spread so widely across different regions? Give two factors.
Trade and travel, crowded settlements, limited medical knowledge, and lack of effective disease control.
How can medieval art or architecture help us understand the values of a society?
It can reveal religious beliefs, social hierarchy, cultural identity, and ideas about power or community.