Unit 4 Lesson 2: Ancient Greece

Question 1

What is a democracy

Answer 1

A democracy is defined as a system of governance led by its people. This usually means people hold the right to vote and choose on issues that impact them.

Question 2

Ancient Greece was famous for its

Answer 2

democracy.

Question 3

What is Athens known for

Answer 3

Many values found in modern-day democracy were pioneered by the Athenian democracy. The most notable and influential historical example of modern democracy originated in Athens. Athens is known as the creator of modern democracy.

Question 4

The Athenian system of governance was complex and required many moving parts to operate effectively. The right to vote and to express one’s opinions were crucial elements in Athenian democracy. To operate effectively, the Athenian democracy utilized an ecclesia.

Answer 4

The ecclesia was an Athenian assembly. It was made up of Athenian citizens chosen by lot. Each member of the ecclesia had voting power and could be heard on various political and civil issues within Athenian politics.

Question 5

Another major component of Athenian democracy was the deme system.

Answer 5

Each territory within the bounds of Athens was marked as its own deme. Citizens were chosen for the ecclesia by lot based on which deme they were from.

Question 6

How were Athenian citziens choosen to bein the governmeant

Answer 6

The centralized system is what made the ecclesia function as it did since Athenian citizens were chosen by lot rather than by qualities such as birth or wealth. This is what made Athens’s democracy famous: it functioned in a fair way.

Question 7

In what way were The Thirty corrupt

Answer 7

The example of the Thirty showcases how an oligarchy can be corrupt. This oligarchy saw the execution of nearly 1,500 people and the exiling of even more. The power residing in the hands of these men directly impacted the vitality of the Athenian democracy. Citizens could no longer vote on major issues within the ecclesia, and the government tried to make Athens more like Sparta. This was a major loss for the democratic foundations of the polis, as freedom was taken away.

Question 8

Although the Athenian democracy was fair, it was not flawless. One unfair quality of the Athenian democracy was its exclusion of women.

Answer 8

While women are portrayed in a good light in Athenian plays and literature, they were not allowed to vote in the ecclesia. Most accounts of women in Athens were written from a male perspective and by male authors. This leaves out a significant piece of Athenian society. Historians can study ancient sources with an open and critical mind toward Athenian policy in the ecclesia and Athenian writers’ portrayal of women.

Question 9

Another major style of government that was extremely popular in ancient Greece was the oligarchy. Whats an oligarchy

Answer 9

This system is defined as rule by the few. This means that a select group of people has power over the majority. Sometimes this meant a corrupt government in which the few elites were tyrannical over their people. Other times, it was more amiable.

Question 9

While Athens was known for its democracy, there were times in its history when oligarchies were present. One of the most famous oligarchies in Athenian history was the Thirty. The Thirty was a group of 30 men who held power in the polis after Athens lost the Peloponnesian War to Sparta. What was the Peloponnesian War

Answer 9

The Peloponnesian War was a conflict fought between the Peloponnesian League and the Athenian Empire between 431 and 405 BCE. The war took place due to increasing concerns of Athenian dominance in regard to wealth and military power. Sparta and its allies attacked Athens first so that Athens could not conquer them. Sparta installed these men to preside over all aspects of Athenian life and take power over the ecclesia.

Question 10

Another style of government in ancient Greece was the monarchy. It was the earliest system of government in Greece.

Answer 10

Even though the oligarchy and democracy were far more popular, the monarchy system predated them both.

Question 11

What is a monacrhy system

Answer 11

The monarchy system of government was ruled by a single person. This was generally a hereditary system, in which a son or daughter was promoted to ruler of the kingdom once their parent died.

Question 11

The Mycenaeans, an early Greek society during the early Bronze Age, used this form of rule. At the head of the government was a wanax

Answer 11

A wanax was a Mycenaean king in charge of religious, political, and military matters. This society did not have a form of assembly and was very centralized.

Question 12

Mycenaecan monarchy and palatial monacrhy

Answer 12

The palace of a Mycenaean city was the heart of its political system, as all trade, politics, and religious practices were held there. This system of government the Mycenaeans used was called a palatial monarchy.

Question 13

One of the other core features of Mycenaean society was its control over districts. This was done using governors known as

Answer 13

korete.

Question 13

One of the other core features of Mycenaean society was its control over districts. This was done using governors known as korete. Whats a korete

Answer 13

These governors controlled different parts of land in the Mycenaean state.

Question 14

While there wasn’t an assembly to vote on ideas or issues, there was a council of elders known as the

Answer 14

Gerousia. These elders would help the wanax in decision-making.

Question 14

Religion was an extremely important part of Mycenaean society.

Answer 14

It had a transforming effect on the population as it helped centralize the state. It gave everyone a common religious cause to rally behind and believe in. This, along with the palace society, created a centralized society with wanax control.

Question 15

Although the Gerousia assisted in decision-making, the wanax had the majority of control.

Answer 15

The wanax played a major religious role, which increased his power in the monarchy.

Question 16

Based on what you learned about democracies, monarchies, and oligarchies in ancient Greece, what generalizations can be made about the political systems of ancient Greece?

Answer 16

There was not a one-size-fits-all approach to political systems in ancient Greece. Each system varied in its approach to governing people, city-states, and empires. Each system had its own advantages and disadvantages and varied in the degree of freedom it granted citizens. Characteristics of each system can be seen in modern political systems. For example, the United States system of government has roots in ancient Greece’s democracy; whereas, the United Kingdom has some similarities to the Mycenaean monarchy.

Question 16

What type of government is ancient Greece most known for?

Answer 16

democracy, specifically in Athens

Question 17

What was the system of government the Mycenaeans used?

Answer 17

palatial monarchy

Question 18

Equally important to the ecclesia was the Council of 500.

Answer 18

The Council of 500 used the deme system to randomly draw 500 members by lot. These council members chose the agenda, and debated and voted on issues for the ecclesia.

Question 19

Concil of 500 realtionship with the Assembly

Answer 19

the concil of 500 debated and voted just like the assembly but the concil of 500 was choose whiole the assembly was all citzens and the councill choose issues for the assembly

Question 20

Sparta, along with Athens, was an important polis in ancient Greece. What was its governemnt

Answer 20

. This polis was an oligarchy, but had unique monarchical elements. It had hereditary kings similar to a monarchy, but had a group in power similar to an oligarchy.

Question 21

Sparta vs Athens: What did they focus on and which one was bigger

Answer 21

Sparta was a much smaller polis than Athens and was focused heavily on its military.

Question 21

Different institutions were put in place to train Spartan young men to become

Answer 21

e hoplites

Question 21

What was Sparta primarily known for

Answer 21

. Unlike Athens, Sparta was primarily known for its military prowess.

Question 22

A major, yet unique feature that differentiated Sparta from Athens was its implementation of two hereditary ruling-class kings.

Answer 22

These kings were the top officials in Sparta and were also high priests of Zeus. One Spartan king would stay in Sparta, while the other would help lead armies during times of war. These kings sat on the Spartan high council and held important voting power in the Spartan assembly.

Question 23

The ekklesia was similar to the Athenian ecclesia

Answer 23

They both made decisions; however, the issues that were addressed were slightly different. The methods of determining who addressed these important topics were also different.

Question 23

The Spartan assembly, also known as the ekklesia, was a major part of the decision-making process in the polis.

Answer 23

his assembly was made up of Spartan citizens who met once a month. Matters such as military, political, and cultural issues were discussed.

Question 24

In Sparta, a special council called the Gerousia was made up of 28 men over the age of 60.

Answer 24

These members held special voting and judicial powers in the assembly. Although the Gerousia had judicial and voting power, the kings had more voting power than councils in the polis, and would have the final say on laws and political issues.

Question 25

What would 2/5 of the ephors do

Answer 25

Two of the five elected ephors would accompany the Spartan kings on campaigns and during times of war.

Question 25

Another office in the Spartan government was ephors.

Answer 25

This office in the Spartan government hierarchy helped advise the kings and debate important issues. These were five elected Spartan citizens who served a term of one year and could not be reelected.

Question 26

What did each ephor do

Answer 26

Although two of the elected citizens worked directly with the kings, each ephor helped make important decisions for the Spartan polis.

Question 27

What was Carthage

Answer 27

Carthage was a colony of Phoenicia, a Greek polis situated near modern-day Turkey.

Question 27

The Carthaginian government, in its original form, began as a monarchy. How and why did it change to an oligrachy

Answer 27

Phoenicia during this time led the state with original Greek settlers. Over time, and after being isolated from its Greek founders, Carthage opted to use an oligarchy as a government type. In doing so, elected leaders would have less of a chance of being corrupt or tyrannical over the polis.

Question 28

How were Carthage's kings different from Spartas?

Answer 28

. The Carthaginian government was similar to Sparta because they both used two rulers; however, the rulers were different. Sparta had hereditary kings, while Carthage had suffetes.

Question 28

The government of Carthage was similar to Sparta and Athens, but it had some different elements. How was it similar to Sparta

Answer 28

The Carthaginian government was similar to Sparta because they both used two rulers; however, the rulers were different.

Question 29

What classifed Cartahge as an oligarchy

Answer 29

Carthage had suffetes. Based on this key distinction, Carthage was classified as an oligarchy due to non-hereditary rulers leading the state.

Question 30

What were suffetes?

Answer 30

The non-hereditary rulers who led the state were suffetes. Suffetes were two officials who held the highest position in the Carthaginian government. They were elected annually based on social class and personal wealth. Initially, the two suffetes were judges in the early Carthaginian monarchy, but later they had more roles. They would command armies while on campaign, propose political legislation, and debate ideas.

Question 31

The Carthage government also had a senate.

Answer 31

The senate of Carthage consisted of Carthaginian citizens who debated on social and judicial issues.

Question 31

How were sufferes simialr to kinds in sparta

Answer 31

Similar to Sparta, in times of war one suffete would stay in Carthage while another would go with the army.

Question 32

The next order in the government of Carthage were five specially elected officials.

Answer 32

The officials helped manage taxes, finances, and military matters for the polis. These members were elected and had a limited term in their political office. The elected officials were always members of the senate with limited judicial power.

Question 33

How was Carthage senate similar to Aten

Answer 33

This was similar to the Athenian ecclesia and Council of 500.

Question 34

How was Carthage senate simialr to Spartan Ekklisaia

Answer 34

. It was also similar to the Spartan ekklesia as they both used citizenship to denote who could and could not be in the assembly.

Question 35

# * What form of government did Athens use?

Answer 35

democracy

Question 36

What form of government did Sparta use?

Answer 36

oligarchy

Question 37

Who were the aristoi

Answer 37

Aristoi were wealthy citizens within the polis. They often owned agricultural land and equipment such as armor, weaponry, and horses for wartime. Having these resources was important during times of war because the aristoi were a small class. Despite their size, the aristoi were the most well-armed within the social class structure. In addition to being well-armed and wealthy, this social class often had influential family ties and held important spots in government.

Question 38

The second order in the Greek polis was the artisans.

Answer 38

Artisans were skilled workers in a specialized trade, known as craftsmen.

Question 39

The life of an artisan often involved long hours of physical labor.

Answer 39

Due to the physical nature of work performed by artisans, their work was often viewed as being less valuable than that of an elite.

Question 40

Artisans in the polis held an important role in the social structure.

Answer 40

They provided specialized goods and services that contributed to the economic vitality of the polis. Some of the services they provided to the polis were carpentry, metal work, masonry, coin engraving, and pottery-making. These men, along with traders, made up the bulk of the middle class in the Greek polis.

Question 41

# * Although their work was viewed as less valuable, the artisan class had more freedom and rights than other social classes.

Answer 41

Artisans were able to participate in sports and attend various festival events. Their rank within the social structure was also less rigid. Citizens within the artisan social class could move between classes. They could either achieve upper-class status and claim better lots of land, or descend to a lower-class status and lose their land.

Question 42

How were perioikoi simialr to aerisans

Answer 42

Similar to the artisan class, this class was often viewed as less important due to the type of work performed.

Question 42

The lower class in the hierarchy was male citizens known as perioikoi.

Answer 42

These men could own land, but they were not as wealthy as the aristoi or the artisans. They often lived in the outskirts of cities, as opposed to living with the middle class and aristoi.

Question 42

What work did perioikoi perfrom

Answer 42

The perioikoi’s role within the polis was mainly agricultural. They tended to the land outside of the city center to harvest goods.

Question 43

Although the perioikoi were often viewed as less important, they had the same citizenship rights as the upper and middle classes.

Answer 43

They were classified as citizens within the polis, which granted them voting rights and access to the ecclesia.

Question 44

The next order within the social hierarchy was women. Women in the Greek poleis were viewed as “lesser citizens.”

Answer 44

Unlike men, women could not own land. They often lived in very restrictive ways. Some common restrictions placed on women were the inability to vote and the inability to participate in the ecclesia. They were only permitted to leave the house for special occasions.

Question 44

The perioikoi were different in certain city-states. How were the viewed in Sparta

Answer 44

In Sparta, for example, they had a different role, and a varied social status. Spartan perioikoi could be wealthy landholding citizens or not hold any land, depending on their role in the polis. Their role in the Sparta polis was similar to an artisan's in providing specialized goods.

Question 44

While each restriction limited women in the polis, the restriction that affected women most was their inability to participate in the Athenian ecclesia.

Answer 44

Members of the ecclesia held their role within the assembly due to citizenship. Only citizens could be a part of the ecclesia. Women’s inability to participate in the ecclesia demonstrates their status as “lesser citizens” as they were not granted citizenship within the polis.

Question 44

One exception to the status of women in the poleis was Sparta.

Answer 44

In Sparta, women enjoyed more freedoms. They could participate in athletics and own land. At one time, women owned nearly half the land in Sparta. This was a very rare case, since Sparta had harsh rules for other social classes within its society.

Question 44

The fifth order in the social structure was laborers and enslaved people. Laborers within this social class rank had more privileges than enslaved people. This class, unlike other classes, had two groups.

Answer 44

The two groups were semi-dependent laborers and enslaved people.

Question 45

The first group, semi-dependent laborers, relied on their employer, but were not given major legal rights.

Answer 45

They generally worked agricultural jobs that provided produce for their employer while keeping a portion of their produce for themselves.

Question 45

In Sparta, this class was referred to as the helot.

Answer 45

Since semi-dependent laborers or helots had no legal rights, they often faced harsh punishments, which was especially the case in the Spartan polis.

Question 46

Foreigners in the Greek poleis were a special class of people. They had different rights depending on the polis.

Answer 46

Foreign people from outside of Greece were known as xenoi, while foreigners staying in a polis were known as metics.

Question 46

The second group in the Greek polis was enslaved people.

Answer 46

Enslaved people also relied on their employer. Their relationships with employers was often volatile. However, they did have power to claim independence from their employer. Their work mainly consisted of agricultural work, and they often were drafted into military service. In certain cases, especially during times of warfare or strife, enslaved people labored in harsh working conditions, such as mining to collect raw resources for the polis.

Question 46

Rights of foreginers?

Answer 46

Regardless of their classification, they were not official citizens and, in most cases, could not achieve citizenship. However, on rare occasions, foreigners could achieve citizenship if they gave enough resources, namely agricultural goods, to their patron polis.

Question 47

In comparison to other social classes in the poleis, metics were treated harshly. This was especially the case in Sparta.

Answer 47

Foreigners in Sparta were persecuted and/or exiled if they attempted to stay in Sparta for too long.

Question 48

Economic Development of Ancient Greece

Answer 48

Despite the exclusion of women, laborers, enslaved people, and foreigners from citizenship, the Greek economy thrived. This was possible in part because of the political structures that allowed citizens to vote. The right to vote meant that people were at much lower risk of having their money or property seized by a greedy ruler. When disputes arose, those involved could appeal to their fellow citizens for resolution, rather than begging the favor of a king or emperor. In addition, movement among the social classes was possible. This encouraged citizens to innovate and take financial risks. These political factors gave rise to a culture rich in innovation.

Question 49

Moreover, each polis maximized the use of local resources, specializing in goods that could be efficiently produced and trading with others for goods that could not.

Answer 49

Although each polis was politically separate from the others, they were united in shared language and culture. They came to adopt a single coinage system of weights and measures that simplified trade. As a result, the region flourished and grew wealthy.

Question 50

What was a foreign person temporarily residing in a Greek city-state called?

Answer 50

metic

Question 51

By the time Alexander gained power, he already had a solid foundation. His father, Philip II, helped to unify the Greek city-states under Macedonian rule.

Answer 51

. During Philip II’s campaigns and political dealings, Alexander was learning and studying under him. He fought notable battles, such as the Battle of Chaeronea (a battle against Macedon to claim alliance of Greek city-states in 338 BCE), under the rule of his father. Through these experiences, Alexander acquired similar traits and characteristics that shaped him into a “Great” ruler.

Question 52

Alexander’s “practical education” was part of what it meant to be a ruler in ancient Macedonia.

Answer 52

Macedonian rulers were expected to go to war. Through warfare, they enriched their most important followers by acquiring new lands and resources. From the perspective of Alexander and his father Philip, what made a ruler great was not his or her love and care of all of their subjects. What made a ruler great was their success in battle.

Question 53

One of the most notable traits Alexander possessed in building his empire was his tactical intelligence and cunning military abilities. Through experience, Alexander utilized many of the military innovations his father developed, including the Macedonian phalanx and Companion Cavalry. what was the Macedonian phalanx

Answer 53

The Macedonian phalanx was a uniform military formation that consisted of 256 men armed with sarissa. This type of formation along with the Companion Cavalry made a tight defensive line that made it difficult for opponents to defeat. Alexander’s military strengths and military advancements were lessons learned from his father. He was able to utilize these resources to conquer opponents on the battlefield with ease. With such background knowledge and experience, Alexander would succeed his father in building one of the largest and most successful empires in history.

Question 54

The first notable campaign of Alexander was in Asia Minor, an area composed of modern-day Turkey and parts of Levant.

Answer 54

At the time, Asia Minor was under Persian control. Conflict between Greeks and Persians stretched back many centuries. For this reason, Alexander was able to present himself as a liberator of the Greeks, thereby gaining their support. To gain control over his enemies, Alexander set out to liberate Greek city-states in Asia Minor and conquer Persian cities. Along with the peaceful liberation of many city-states, he fought and won two major battles: the Battle of the Granicus and the Battle of Issus. Alexander would win these major battles along with other less notable encounters with Persian troops in Asia Minor.

Question 55

While Alexander and his forces were victorious in battle, his most notable accomplishments in Asia Minor were sieges. The most famed siege occurred in the city of Tyre, located off the mainland of Asia Minor.

Answer 55

Tyre would not surrender to Alexander. This prompted him to build a causeway out of stone and besiege the city. When Alexander’s forces broke through the city’s defenses, he had the inhabitants massacred or sold into slavery. Alexander used this event to demonstrate the consequences if his enemies defied him. This event demonstrates Alexander’s military prowess, as well as his cruelty. He won the siege and demonstrated the consequences if his enemies defied him

Question 55

The largest and most important campaign Alexander undertook was the Persian campaign.

Answer 55

Throughout the Persian campaign, he waged multiple battles. Two of the most notable battles were the Battle of Gaugamela, where Alexander defeated Darius III’s most elite force, and the Battle of the Persian Gate, where Alexander breached the Persian capital of Persepolis.

Question 56

After conquering Asia Minor, Alexander set out to conquer Egypt. Before he entered Egypt, he defeated Persians occupying the city of Gaza in 332 BCE. He utilized similar tactics and punishments used at Tyre

Answer 56

, besieging the city of Gaza and massacring the inhabitants after they refused to surrender. After Gaza, the Egyptian campaign was mostly a peaceful affair that used less military force. This was due to waging fewer pitched battles and violent sieges similar to those implemented at Tyre and Gaza.

Question 57

Due to the brutal nature of the events at Tyre and Gaza, the remaining cities and towns held by the Persians in Egypt conceded to Alexander.

Answer 57

The Egyptian people were pleased that Alexander liberated them from the Persians. Instead of demonstrating dominance, he demonstrated tolerance for other cultures and religions. Alexander did not force Greek or Macedonian ideals or values upon the Egyptian people. Instead, he embraced the Egyptian religion and cultural ideas, which promoted the idea that Macedonian, Greek, and Egyptian cultures could coexist. From Alexander’s perspective, what mattered was results. He did not care if the Egyptians worshipped the same gods he did. All he cared about was whether or not they accepted his rule. He understood that to rule the Egyptians successfully, he needed to look at the situation from an Egyptian perspective.

Question 57

Through Alexander’s acceptance, he was proclaimed a son of Zeus-Ammon, the two heads of Greek and Egyptian mythology.

Answer 57

This title reinforced the notion that Alexander was “Great,” and a special person in his time, as he was connected to both Egyptian and Greek deities, something that almost nobody else could claim. This was important, as Alexander treated the Egyptian religion with respect and did not force any Greek values upon the Indigenous population.

Question 57

Throughout all of his conquests, Alexander set out to establish cities. One by one, he named them Alexandria, which resembles and symbolizes his name and conquest. One of the more notable cities he established in 331 BCE was Alexandria in Egypt, as it is still an important and heavily populated area today. These cities allowed Macedonians to mingle with local populations, creating a fusion of culture and ideas. This fusion became known as

Answer 57

hellenization

Question 58

While traveling through Persia and Mesopotamia, Alexander besieged and captured several Persian cities including Susa, Babylon, and Persepolis.

Answer 58

In an effort to expand the empire, he recruited Persian troops to his military and adopted some Persian traditions. His tactics were successful as he claimed and founded key cities. Each conquered and newly founded city helped fund, support, and expand the empire. One key Persian city was Alexandria-Eschate, a northern city he founded on the Jaxartes river. The claim of Alexandria-Eschate helped Alexander expand supply lines and spread hellenization into Persian territories.

Question 59

Throughout the Persian campaign, Alexander continued the tradition of adopting local culture and religion.

Answer 59

When he captured the Persian capital of Persepolis in 330 BCE, he proclaimed himself a godlike figure, adopting the title of shahanshah, a title reserved for Persian high kings of Asia, after Darius III was assassinated by his general and satrap, Bessus.

Question 60

Would Alexander have been as successful if he had not adopted and tolerated local culture and religion? Why or why not?

Answer 60

Alexander would not have been as successful, as local culture and religion were important to the people he conquered. Had he imposed Macedonian ideas or not adopted certain religions or cultural practices, he may not have been able to hold on to such a diverse and large area of land.