Greek City-States & Governments
The term for an independent Greek city-state.
What is a polis?
The war between Athens and Sparta lasted from 431 to 404 BCE.
What is the Peloponnesian War?
Heavily armed infantry that fought in phalanx formations
What are hoplites?
Name the battle where Spartan soldiers led by Leonidas delayed the Persian army.
What is Thermopylae?
Greek historian who recorded the Peloponnesian War.
Who is Thucydides?
In Athens’ political system, which gave power to the citizens?
What is democracy?
Athens’ defensive strategy used walls and naval strength during the early phase.
What are the Long Walls?
Payment from league members to Athens for defense and navy, and for dependence.
What is tribute?
Greek victory that stopped the first Persian invasion in 490 BCE.
What is Marathon?
Greek philosopher who believed happiness is “an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.”
Who is Aristotle?
Sparta’s government combined monarchy, oligarchy, and elements of democracy. Name the two kings’ council.
What is the Gerousia?
The catastrophic Athenian campaign to Sicily, which ended in disaster.
What is the Sicilian Expedition?
Athens’ control over the Delian League turned an alliance into this.
What is an empire (double points if you said the Athenian Empire)?
Battle where Spartans were captured by Athenian forces in 425 BCE.
What is Sphacteria?
Philosopher who warned that citizens must participate in government to avoid being ruled by inferior leaders.
Who is Plato?
According to Aristotle, humans are “by nature” a _________ ______?
What is a political animal?
Spartan fortified base in Attica during the final war phase.
What is Decelea?
The Greek word meaning domination or leadership over others.
What is hegemony?
The final decisive naval battle that ended Athens’ power.
What is Aegospotami?
Xenophon described this city-state’s training system as producing obedient and strong citizens.
What is Sparta?
Plato warned that ignoring public affairs allows “evil men” to rule. Explain how this connects to Athens’ and Sparta’s systems.
What is that civic participation protects the state, and Sparta emphasized obedience while Athens emphasized engagement?
Explain why Athens’ alliance with Persia during the Ionian/Decelean War is considered ironic.
What is because Greeks had originally united to fight Persia, but Athens and Sparta relied on Persian money to fight each other?
Explain how Athens’ naval power and the Long Walls together gave them a strategic advantage in the Archidamian War.
What is that Athens could avoid land battles, stay supplied via the port of Piraeus, raid enemy coasts, and rely on their navy while Sparta, a land power, could not force a decisive victory?
Explain why the Plague of Athens was both a social and military turning point.
What is because it killed large portions of the population, including Pericles, destabilized society, and weakened Athens’ ability to fight?
Compare Herodotus’ view of democracy with Thucydides’ explanation of Athens’ rise in power.
What is that Herodotus valued equality and citizen participation, while Thucydides emphasized that Athens’ power growth caused fear and conflict with Sparta?