Mycenaeans
an Indo-European people who settled on the Greek mainland around 2000 B.C.
Judgement of Paris
The incident that ultimately brought on the Trojan War. A contest between the three most beautiful goddesses of Olympos--Aphrodite, Hera and Athena--for the prize of a golden apple. Aphrodite won by offering Helen to King Paris of Troy.
Trojan War
A war (around 1200 B.C.), in which an army lead by Mycenaean kings attacked the city of Troy in Anatolia.
Dorians
A Greek-speaking people who migrated into mainland Greece after the destruction of the Mycenaean civilization.
Homer
ancient Greek epic poet who is believed to have written the Iliad and the Odyssey (circa 850 BC)
Epic
a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
Myth
A traditional story about gods, ancestors, or heroes, told to explain the natural world or the customs and beliefs of a society.
Polis
Greek city-state
acropolis
A fortified hilltop in an ancient Greek city
monarchy
a government in which power is in the hands of a single person
Aristocracy
a government in which power is in the hands of a hereditary ruling class or nobility
Oligarchy
a government ruled by a few powerful people
tyrants
rulers who seized power by force but who ruled with the people's support; later came to refer to rulers who excercise brutal and oppressive power
Democracy
Rule by the people
Draco
Athenian lawmaker whose code of laws prescribed death for almost every offense
Solon
Athenian reformer of the 6th century; established laws that eased the burden of debt on farmers, forbade enslavement for debt
Cleisthenes
An Athenian ruler who came to power around 500 B.C.E., an introduces further reforms that advanced democracy. He developed ten social classes based on where someone lived rather than their wealth. Established the Council of 500 and a policy where all citi
Athens
the capital and largest city of Greece
Sparta
Greek city-state that was ruled by an oligarchy, focused on military, used slaves for agriculture, discouraged the arts
Helots
Slaves to the Spartans that revolted and nearly destroyed Sparta in 650 B.C.E.
Olympic Games
Festival and athletic contests held at Olympia in honor of Zeus in which all Greek city-states sent representatives.
Phalanx
a military formation of foot soldiers armed with spears and shields
Persian Wars
A series of wars between Greek city-states and the Persian Empire (5th century B.C.).
Marathon
Site of the famous battle fought between the armies of Persia and the outnumbered Athenians. Athens was victorious and a messenger was sent to run the 26 miles back to the city with the news.
Pericles
Athenian leader noted for advancing democracy in Athens and for ordering the construction of the Parthenon.
Direct Democracy
A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives
Parthenon
the main temple of the goddess Athena
tragedy
A serious form of drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character. Contains
common themes such as love, hate, war and betrayal.
Oedipus Rex
a tragic king of Thebes who unknowingly killed his father Laius and married his mother Jocasta
Comedy
a contrast to Greek tragedies ... scenes filled with lots of humor.
Herodotus
the ancient greek known as the father of history
Peloponnesian War
a war in which Athens and its allies were defeated by the league centered on Sparta
Socrates
philosopher who believed in an absolute right or wrong; asked students pointed questions to make them use their reason, later became Socratic method
Plato
wrote The Republic
Aristotle
Greek philosopher; teacher of Alexander the Great; knowledge based on observation of phenomena in material world
Macedonia
an ancient kingdon ruled by Alexander the Great that conquered Greece and the Persian empire in the 300s BC
Philip II
king of ancient Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great (382-336 BC)
Alexander the great
son of Philip II; received military training in Macedonian army and was a student of Aristotle; great leader; conquered much land in Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia; goal was to conquer the known world
Darius III
Persian king who lost his empire to Alexander the Great
Gordian Knot
an intricate knot tied by Gordius, the king of Phrygia, and cut by the sword of Alexander the Great after he heard that whoever undid it would become ruler of Asia
Hellenistic
the blending of Greek cultures with those of Persia, Egypt, and Central Asia following the conquests of Alexander the Great
Alexandria
City in Egypt founded by Alexander the Great, center of commerce and Hellenistic civilization.
Tyrants
a type of leader that took over gov. but did good things for people
Arisitle
Alexander's famous tutor
Acropolis
this was a fortified hilltop
776BC
Olympics