04 Greek Politics and Warfare in the Classical Age Free Online FlashCards

What was a polis in classical Greece?

A polis was an independent Greek city-state with its own laws, government, army, and religious traditions.

How did democracy differ from oligarchy?

Democracy meant rule by the citizen body; oligarchy meant rule by a restricted group, often wealthy or influential citizens.

Who was excluded from political decision-making in Athens?

Athenian political decision-making excluded women, enslaved people, and resident foreigners called metics.

What did the Athenian Assembly do?

The Assembly (ekklesia) brought citizens together to debate and vote on public matters, including war and foreign policy.

How were Athenian strategoi chosen?

Many Athenian offices were assigned by lot, but military commanders (strategoi) were elected because leadership and skill were valued for those roles.

How did naval service affect poorer Athenian citizens?

Poorer citizens often rowed in the fleet. Their naval service supported Athens’ defense and gave them a political stake in the city’s decisions.

Which institutions formed Sparta’s mixed system of government?

Sparta combined two hereditary kings, a council of elders (Gerousia), a citizen assembly, and five annually chosen ephors with oversight and executive authority.

What role did helots play in Spartan society?

Helots were a large unfree population whose labor sustained Sparta’s citizen body.

What happened at Marathon in 490 BCE?

In 490 BCE, Athenians and their allies defeated a Persian force at Marathon.

How did the Delian League change over time?

The Delian League was formed under Athenian leadership to continue resisting Persia and protect Greek communities around the Aegean. Athens later gained greater control, turning the alliance into an empire.

What tensions helped cause the Peloponnesian War?

The war’s causes included fear of Athenian power, disputes among allies, and rivalry between Athens’ maritime empire and Sparta’s influence on land.

How did the Peloponnesian War end for Athens?

Athens’ disastrous expedition to Sicily severely weakened it. After Sparta defeated the Athenian fleet at Aegospotami, Athens surrendered in 404 BCE.