Geography
This large body of water lies east of Greece and separated many Greek city‑states from Asia Minor.
The Aegean Sea
What goods did the Minoans commonly trade around the eastern Mediterranean? (name one)
Olive oil, pottery (also wood, metal goods)
What is the Greek word for a city‑state?
Polis
Around 500 BC, Athens developed this system of government where free male citizens could vote directly.
Direct democracy
What quality or value was most important in Spartan society (one word)?
Discipline (or military strength)
Name the high fortified hill where many Greek city‑states built temples and fortresses.
Acropolis
What invention or decision helped make trade easier by creating a common standard of value across city‑states?
Common currency / silver coins (tetradrachm)
What was the marketplace and meeting place in a Greek city called?
Agora
Name the Athenian leader often called the “father of democracy” for reorganizing government.
Cleisthenes
At what age did Spartan men usually finish training and become full citizens?
Age 30 (full citizenship; military service began earlier and lasted long)
How did mountains affect where Greek communities developed? (short answer)
Mountains made travel difficult, causing isolated communities that formed independent city‑states (expected student idea).
Name one place (outside mainland Greece) that Greek traders visited by sea
Egypt, Asia Minor (modern Turkey), Black Sea ports, Italy (e.g., Naples)
Why did many Greek communities become separate city‑states rather than one country? (short answer)
Geography (mountains/islands) caused isolation; communities developed their own governments.
Give one example of a right or responsibility Athenian citizens had in their democracy.
Serve in assembly, vote, serve on juries, or duties as citizens (e.g., military service)
Name one right or role Spartan women had that was different from many other Greek women.
Spartan women could own land and received physical training; they had more rights than many Greek women.
Give two reasons why living near the sea helped the Greeks economically or culturally.
Examples: provided food (fish), enabled trade by ship; encouraged contact with other cultures/ideas.
Explain one way colonies helped Greek city‑states with trade and population issues. (short answer)
Colonies provided resources (metals), new markets, and relieved population pressures.
Describe two functions of the acropolis and the agora in a polis.
Acropolis: fortress, religious center (temples); Agora: marketplace, meeting place, site for political discussion.
How were Athenian and American democracy different? Give two clear differences.
400 — Athens: direct democracy (all citizens vote), no separation of powers; US: representative democracy, separation of powers, citizens of all genders vote. Also Athens limited citizens to free men only.
Explain how Sparta organized its government (name one key feature, e.g., two kings or elected officials).
Sparta had two hereditary kings plus elected officials and a council; government focused on controlling helots and military needs.
Explain how Greece’s many peninsulas and islands contributed to the creation of independent city‑states (polis). (2–3 sentences)
Peninsulas and islands separated groups, encouraging independent settlements and local governments; sea travel connected them for trade and colonization.
Describe a cost and a benefit of Greece depending on sea trade (use cost/benefit thinking). (two short bullet points)
Benefit: increased wealth from trade; Cost: dependence on maritime routes and foreign goods (or vulnerability to naval conflict).
Explain how colonies became independent and what effect that had on Greek trade and culture. (2–3 sentences)
Colonies became independent poleis, expanding Greek influence, spreading culture, and increasing trade networks.
Describe one way Pericles encouraged civic participation in Athens. (short answer; refer to payments or public roles)
Pericles paid citizens for public service (paid jury and public office) to encourage participation; promoted pride and civic duty.
Describe one long-term effect of the Peloponnesian War on Greece. (2–3 sentences)
The Peloponnesian War weakened Greek city‑states, shifted power among them, and left Greece vulnerable to outside conquest (e.g., Macedonians).