Study Guide for Frost Chapter Three
The history of the classical age is largely one of….war.
The Persian Conflict with Cities on Ionia as the Spark for Persian Wars 550-336
BCE.
Athens key role in the victory (esp. Marathon) let to her dominance of the Greek
World for fifty years.
Spartan fear of Athens (Thucydides) was cause of Peloponnesian War between
Sparta (and allies) v. Athens (and allies) from 431-404 BCE
Major Players were Sparta, Athens, and Ionian cities
Sparta “Elitist Communism”
Limited citizenship---landowners and warriors. Noble families only allowed to
participate as citizens.
Helots – serfs who worked land, mostly from neighboring Messenia
Kings led committee of five ephors, supported by council of elders (gerousia)
Spartan citizens usually took the right wing of the line of battle. (no shields on right
to protect warrior.
Changes in Sparta after winning war w/Athens---end of isolation
371 BCE Spartans lose to Thebes under Epaminondas
Ionia (city states on the coast of modern Turkey)
Originator of Greek philosophy and lyric poetry
Most cities were colonies from other city states
Cultural mix on trading routes made of vibrant social and intellectual life.
499 BCE Ionian revolt against Persia (Herodotus says) led to long Persian wars, and
ultimate Greek victory
Identify Herodotus, Anaxagoras, and Aspasia
Athens ---Develops first democracy
Economic difficulties lead to Solon’s reforms
Written laws establish tribal council
Persian Wars and Athenian “Empire” lead to major changes --- ultimately to
Acropolis and other major public works
Pericles and end of the nobles’ domination of Athens
Cleon --- the first demagogue
The Thirty Tyrants
Return of the democrats to Piraeus Harbor (The Piraeus Party)
Macedonians under Philip end Athenian freedom in 338 BCE at Chaeronea.
For Geography
Know Three major areas: Thessaly, Central Greece (Boetia around Thebes, Attica
around Athens), and Peloponnesus (Corinth, Argos, Sparta, Messenia)
Know role of sea and mountains in establishing cities.
Know development of High City (Acropolis) for protection, city nearby, farms
further away.