Vocabulary
Define Polis
Greek word for the independent city-states in the Greek peninsula
What was the dominant religion of Persia during the Achaemenid Empire?
Zoroastrianism
Which were the two alliances in the Peloponnesian Wars and who led each alliance?
Peloponnesian league (Sparta)
What kingdom did Alexander come from?
Macedonia
Athens; Democracy, focus on arts, education and philosophy
Sparta; Oligarchy, focus on military training, greater rights for women
Define Phalanx
A Greek Battle Formation
In 1 sentence, describe how the kings of Persia (i.e. Cyrus and Darius) governed their conquered territory.
They were tolerant of other religions and allowed some local leaders to maintain authority over their people.
What were the limitations of Athenian democracy?
Only citizens could participate/vote: Citizens were typically defined as wealthy landowning men.
Who was Alexander's father?
Philip II
What was one major difference between the governments Ancient Greeks and Persia during the Classical Period?
The Persians had a large empire, while Greeks were divided into city-states.
Define Hellenism
The spreading of Greek culture across the Mediterranean and Asia following Alexander the Great's Conquests
What was the name of the road constructed by the Persians that connected the eastern and western halves of the empire?
The Royal Road
How did geography impact the development Greek City states? Name 1 specific example
Mountains in the Greek peninsula resulted in some city states being more isolated from one another and develop unique cultures. Access to the sea resulted in a reliance on sea trade and navies (i.e. Athens)
What was the primary lasting effect of Alexander the Great's conquest?
The spread of Greek Culture into the lands of Egypt and Persia (Hellenism)
In regards to religions, how were the Greeks different from the Persians?
Persians were more tolerant of other beliefs than the Greeks
Persians=Monotheistic, Greeks=Polytheistic
Define Helot
People of the Peloponnesian Peninsula who had been enslaved by the Spartans.
When Cyrus successfully conquered one of the major cities in Mesopotamia, he ended a period of Diaspora known as...
The Babylonian Captivity of the Jews
What happened at the following two battles?
Marathon and Thermopylae
Marathon: First attempted Persian invasion of Greece, Athens holds the Persian invasion force off on their own
Thermopylae: First major battle of 2nd invasion: 300 Spartans delay the Persians long enough for other Greek city states to evacuate and mount counter attack (Salamis)
Why did Alexander’s empire divide into factions immediately after his death?
With no immediate heir to the throne, his generals competed for power and divided the empire.
Compare Oligarchy to Theocracy to Democracy
Oligarchy: System of government where power is held by a small group of people
Theocracy: System of government where religious leaders rule
Democracy: System of government where power is held by the citizens
Define Oligarchy
A government where the power is held by a small group of people
What was the capital of the Persian Achaemenid Empire and how was it different from other major cities of the time such as Athens?
Persepolis: It was an administrative capital mainly for royalty and government officials vs Athens which was a largely populated urban center.
What was the name of the two civilizations that existed in the Greek World prior to the rise of the Spartans and Athenians?
Which of Alexander’s Generals took his body to the Nile River valley to establish a new dynasty in Egypt?
Ptolemy
What was a key difference in how Persia and Greece treated slaves?
Persia had no slavery due to its religious tolerance; Greece relied heavily on slave labor (Helots in Sparta, Foreigners in Athens)