Classical Greece & The Persian Empire Reading Guide
Section 1: Cultures of the Mountains and the Sea (p. 123)
Geography Shapes Greek Life
1. What does the statement “Greeks did not live on land, but around a sea,” mean about their culture
and lifestyle? The seas linked most of Greece and other societies around the peninsula. Because of this
the Greeks became excellent shipbuilders, and sailors. Many of the Greek city-states were near the
sea coast.
2. How did Greece’s rugged terrain divided by mountains influence:
Greek Political life? Small independent governments instead of one unified government
Transportation? Few transportation on land did most travel by way of sea
Farming? Limited fertile land which lacked for irrigation, which could not sustain large populations
3. How did climate effect activity in Greece? Allowed for outdoor life
Mycenaean Civilization Develops
4. Mycenaean people were __indo-Europeans______who migrated from the Eurasian Steppes. How
was Mycenae ruled? Warrior kings ruled the villages and farms and local strong leaders controlled the
other areas
5. What did Mycenaeans learn from contact with the Minoans? Value of sea trade, writing system, art,
religion, politics, and literature
6. What are the stories told about the Mycenaean war with Troy? Ten year war against Troy and the
Greeks (Sparta/Mycenaeans) where the Greeks trick the Trojans with a wooden Horse and won the
war
Greek Culture Declines under the Dorians
7. Why did Greek culture decline under the Dorians? Considered not to be as advanced as the
Mycenaeans, lacked strong economy, lack of art and no writing (no written records)
8. With no written record in Greece for 400 years, how did Homer keep the history of Greece alive? Oral
storying telling (spoken word)
9. What is the significance of the Greek myths? Understanding of the mysteries, of nature and the
power of human passions, and life
10 Who are the following Greek Gods?
Zeus ruler of the Gods
Hera wife/sister of Zeus
Athena goddess of wisdom
Section 2: Warring City – States (p. 127)
Rule and Order in Greek City – States
11. What is a polis and how are they important in Greece? City-states fundamental political units in
Greece
What is an acropolis? Fortified hilltop where politics and other activities took place
12. Define the following types of Greek city – state governments.
Monarchy rule by a King or Queen
Aristocracy ruled by a small group of noble (rich) landowning families
Oligarchy ruled by a few powerful leaders
13. What is a tyrant and how did they work for the citizens of Greece? Powerful leaders who seized or
took control without the legitimacy (approval) of the people. Look at as leaders who work for the best
interest of the people
Athens Builds a Limited Democracy
14. How does democracy differ from earlier forms of governments in Greece? The citizens have the
right to rule. The citizens participated directly in decision making at the top were the aristocrats but
all citizens had a say in government policies and laws
15. What reforms did Cleisthenes bring about that moved Greece toward democracy? Increased the
power of the assembly (able to summit laws for approval), created a council of 500 chosen at random
Sparta builds a Military State
16. How did Sparta differ from other city-states? Political system was a military state: oligarchy
17. Messenians, after defeat by Sparta were forced to be Helots. What does this term mean? Peasants
forced to stay on the land and work it (basically slaves)
18. Describe Sparta’s government: assembly; Spartan citizens that voted on proposed laws, elected
officials voted on major issues, council of elders (30 older citizens who proposed laws) , five elected
officials that carried out laws
What parts of this are similar to the government of the United States? Similar to our legislative branch
make the leas) and executive branch (carries out the laws)
19. What sacrifices did Spartans make to establish their military strengths? Individual expression, family
life, pleasures/luxuries