Land and Colonies
Because of this geographic feature, Greeks developed independent city-states rather than uniting as one country.
What are mountains?
This Athenian lawmaker is famous for writing a code of laws so harsh they were said to be written in blood rather than ink.
Who was Draco?
This swift runner ran 150 miles to Sparta with a message from Athens imploring help.
Who was Pheidippides?
This Athenian leader believed Athens needed a powerful navy to defend itself.
Who is Themistocles?
The Ionian colonies valued this so fiercely that it ultimately prevented them from forming a united front against their enemies.
What is independence/freedom?
These 2 large bodies of water surround much of Greece and made sea travel and trade important.
What are the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas?
Solon introduced important reforms in Athens that helped lay the foundation for what type of government?
What is democracy?
These are the names of the 3 Persian kings, beginning with the one who conquered the Ionian colonies and ending with the one who retreated after the Battle of Salamis.
Who are Cyrus, Darius, and Xerxes?
Name two strategies the Greeks used to overcome the Persian numerical advantage during the wars.
What are knowledge of geography, strategic battle locations, effective military tactics, and strong leadership?
The final land battle between Greeks and Persians took place here.
What is Plataea?
These are some of the reasons the Greeks established colonies overseas (name at least 3).
What are discontentment with government, overcrowded city-states, better opportunities, wealth, love of adventure?
This form of government ruled early Athens, creating an unjust system where wealthy nobles hoarded power and oppressed the lower classes before the rise of democracy.
What is oligarchy?
These are the reasons the Persian kings wanted to conquer Greece (name at least 2).
What are expansion of territory, punishment for supporting the Ionian revolt, punishment for refusing to submit to the Persian king, and revenge for defeating them at Marathon?
Why did the Greek forces choose to defend a narrow mountain pass at Thermopylae instead of fighting the Persians on open ground?
The narrow pass limited the number of Persian soldiers who could attack at once.
These two Greek city-states sent military aid to the Ionian Revolt, helping capture Sardis before a devastating fire forced their retreat.
What were Athens and Eretria?
These were the greatest of all the Greek Colonies.
What were the Ionian colonies?
Though he ruled as a tyrant, the wise leader Peisistratus won the favor of everyday Athenians by enacting these two major improvements.
What are building aqueducts and roads and distributing land to the poor?
Darius sent messengers to Athens and Sparta, demanding what 2 things as symbols of submission?
Thermopylae was a Greek military defeat, but explain how the battle could still be considered a strategic success.
The battle delayed the Persian advance, allowing other Greek forces time to prepare and withdraw, and it also inspired other Greeks to continue fighting rather than surrender.
This means acting quickly without thought or care.
What is impetuous?
He was one of the Seven Wise Men of Greece and is widely regarded as the first philosopher, scientist, and mathematician in the Western tradition.
Who is Thales of Miletus?
This strategic island caused so much war fatigue that Athens banned anyone from even mentioning its recovery, until Solon faked madness to rally the city and win it back.
This Athenian general and strategist is credited with the brilliant tactic of thinning the center of his battle line and strengthening the flanks to encircle the Persians in the Battle of Marathon.
Who is Miltiades?
Give 2 reasons why the Greek victory at Marathon was so important, even though it did not end the Persian threat.
It showed the Persians could be defeated and protected the survival of the young Athenian democracy.
Who said: "Stranger, bear word to the Spartans that we lie here obedient to their charge"?
Inscription on pillar at the Pass of Thermopylae