Minoans & Mycenaeans
Largest Greek island; home base of the Minoans
Island of Crete
Small, self-governing communities instead of one empire
Polis
King of the gods; sky and lightning
Zeus
Government ruled by a small group of wealthy elites; common in some Greek city-states
Oligarchy
Greek terrain that made travel/unification difficult
Mountains
Which civilization had advanced plumbing and architecture
Minoans
Government by the people (associated with Athens)
Democracy
Belief in many gods and goddesses
Polytheism
Known as the “Father of Democracy”. He reorganized citizens into tribes, created the Council of 500, and expanded citizen power in the Assembly (Ekklesia)
Cleisthenes
Mythic home of the major Greek gods
Mount Olympus
Powerful Mycenaean city with a fortified palace and “Cyclopean” walls
Mycenae
Region where Athens is located (southeastern mainland)
Attica
Goddess of wisdom and war strategy
Athena
Citizens could vote to exile someone for 10 years if considered a threat to democracy
Ostracism
Free adult male born in Athens with political rights; women, slaves, and foreigners excluded
Citizen
Period after 1100 BCE when trade and writing declined
Greek Dark Ages
Athenian reformer who reduced debt slavery and broadened participation
Solon
Values taught by myths (e.g., pride, bravery, loyalty)
Moral lessons
Citizens chosen by lot who prepared laws for the Assembly and managed daily government operations
Council of 500
Approximate date of Minoan decline (possibly disaster or conquest)
1450 BCE
Mythical Mycenaean leader of Greek forces at the Battle of Troy
King Agamemnon
Spartan military training system (discipline, survival, obedience)
Agoge
Function of myths to make sense of the world
Explain the unexplained
Name one of the major reforms made by Solon
Cancelled debt slavery, allowed more citizens to participate in government, & promoted economic fairness and trade
Great warrior of the Trojan War featured in the *Iliad*
Achilles