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Ancient Greece Study Guide
Chapter 4: Sections 1 &2 pgs. 116-130 (Make sure to use your textbook and notes to find the answers)
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Greece’s geography:
How did geography discourage Greek unity? The mountains and seas divided the Greeks from
one another, keeping them from unifying.
What is the terrain like in Greece? The terrain in Greece is mountainous and often consists of
rocky soil.
Which crops were grown as a result of the geography? Wheat, barley, olives, and grapes were
grown as result of the geography.
What kind of work did many ancient Greeks do? Many ancient Greeks worked as fisherman,
sailors, and traders.
Which civilization was the first to settle in the region that later became Greece? The Minoan
civilization was the first to settle in the region that later became Greece.
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The Minoans
What part of Greece did the Minoans live? The Minoans lived on the island of Crete, which lies
southeast of the Greek mainland.
How did they earn their living? The Minoans earned their living making pottery and vases and
building ships from wood found on the island of Crete.
What was the palace of Knossos? The palace of Knossos was the home of the Minoan royal
family. It was discovered by an English archaeologist in 1900 AD. It was the center of Minoan
civilization and contained many riches. It contained the private quarters of the royal family and
many rooms for storage, making jewelry, vases and ivory statues. The palace also had
bathrooms.
How did the Minoans make their wealth? The Minoans made their wealth from trading pottery
and vases for ivory and metals.
What are the two theories that explain why the Minoan civilization suddenly collapsed?
There are two theories that explain why the Minoan civilization suddenly collapsed. The first
theory is that the Minoan cities were washed away by giant waves which were caused by
undersea earthquakes. Another theory is that the cities were destroyed by the Mycenaeans, a
group of Greeks who inhabited the mainland.
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Who were the Mycenaeans? The Mycenaeans were people from central Asia who invaded the
Greek mainland and conquered the people living there. Their leaders became the first Greek
kings and their warriors became nobles who ruled those they conquered.
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Describe the Mycenaean kingdoms. The Mycenaean kingdoms consisted of a palace on a hill,
surrounded by giant stone walls. The palace looked over large farms, or estates belonging to
the nobles. Farmers and slaves lived on these estates and used the palace for shelter inside the
fortress if danger approached.
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How did the Mycenaeans copy the Minoans? The Mycenaeans adopted Minoan culture when
traders from Crete visited the Mycenaean kingdoms. As a result, the Mycenaeans learned ship
building, navigation, bronze making, and even copied the religion of the Minoans.
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What famous war victory are the Mycenaean known for? The Mycenaeans are known for their
victory in the Trojan War.
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Why did the Mycenaean civilization collapse? The Mycenaean civilization collapsed because
earthquakes and fighting among the kingdoms had destroyed the hilltop forts, which left the
Mycenaean vulnerable.
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What changes occurred during Greece’s Dark Age? (Positive and Negative) During Greece’s
Dark Age, the Greeks experienced a decrease in trade and farming, which led to poverty and
famine. People stopped teaching others skills such as craftwork and writing. They also lost their
religion. On the other hand, the Dark Age of Greece brought some positive changes too.
Thousands of Greeks left the mainland and settled in other lands, spreading Greek culture.
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What put an end to Greece’s Dark Age? Greece’s Dark Age ended with the Dorian invasion. The
Dorians introduced iron weapons and tools to the Greeks. Iron weapons and tools were
stronger and cheaper than those made of bronze. The Greeks were able to make iron farm
tools, which made farming easier and helped increase food surpluses and end famine and
poverty.
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How did new colonies affect industry? New colonies increased the demand for goods and
specialization, which in turn led to the growth of industry.
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What goods were traded regularly between the colonists and their “parent” cities? Colonists
traded grains, metals, fish, timber, and slaves for pottery, wine and olive oil from their parent
cities.
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How did overseas trade get an extra boost during the 600s BC? Overseas trade got an extra
boost during the 600s B.C., when the Greeks began to mint coins, which made trade easier.
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What is the Greek term for a city-state? The Greek term for a city-state is polis.
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How were Greek city-states made up? Greek city-states are made up of a fortified area known
as an acropolis. The acropolis was usually located on a hill and used for public gatherings such
as for religious purposes. Sometimes the Greeks used the acropolis for protection against
attacks. Outside the acropolis at the bottom of the hill was an open area known as an agora. It
was used as a market place and a public meeting and debating location.
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What was Greek Citizenship? Greek citizenship was a privilege given to people who lived in a
city-state. The members of the city-state were given the right to help run the city-state. The
people had a say in how the government was run.
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Who could be Greek citizens? Only men who were native-born, free land owners could be
Greek citizens. Women and children could be citizens, but they did not have the rights that
came with citizenship.
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What were the rights of Greek citizens? Greek citizens with rights could vote, hold office, own
property and defend themselves in court. In return, each citizen with rights agreed to serve in
government and defend their city-state as citizen soldiers.
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How did citizenship make the Greeks different from other ancient peoples? Citizenship gave
people a say in their government and rights, such as voting and holding office. People from
other ancient civilizations had to obey their rulers and had no choice or say in their government
and often had no rights.
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What were hoplites? Hoplites were armies of ordinary citizens who helped defend their citystate.
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Describe the Greek soldier. The Greek soldier was loyal to his city-state and carried a shield, a
short sword, and a long spear. They marched in rows, shoulder to shoulder. As they marched,
they used their shields to create a protective wall against their approaching enemy.
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What led to the rise of the tyrants? What form of government eventually replaced the
tyrants? The tyrants rose to power as a result of the growing unhappiness of small farmers,
merchants and artisans. They wanted citizenship with rights, so they demanded changes in the
power structure. The tyrants were supported by the common people, who needed their help to
see change in the government.
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Who was Solon?
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What changes did he make in Athens? Solon canceled all the farmers’ debts and freed all those
who had been enslaved due to debt. He also allowed all male citizens to sit in assembly and law
courts.
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Who was Peisistratus? Peisistratus was an Athenian tyrant who seized power 30 years after
Solon’s reign ended.
Solon was a noble from Athens who became the ruler.
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What changes did he make in Athens? Peisistratus divided up large estates among landless
farmers. He also loaned money to the poor and provided jobs building temples and other public
works projects.
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Who was Cleisthenes? Cleisthenes was the ruler of Athens who is credited with making the
government of Athens a democracy.
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What changes did he make in Athens? Cleisthenes gave new powers to members of the
assembly. Now, members of the assembly could participate in open debates, hear court cases,
and appoint army generals. He also created a new council, consisting of 500 citizens to help the
assembly carry out government business. The 500 council members were chosen by lottery.
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City-States: Athens or Sparta (Match the correct city-state with the characteristic)
Oligarchy
Sparta
Boys were taught
to read, write,
and do arithmetic
Athens
The Olympics
Originate here
Boys were sent
to live in barracks
at the age of 7
Boys became citizens
at the age of 18, after
they finished school
Athens
The government firmly
controlled the people
Sparta
Athens
All men over the age of
30 belonged to the assembly
Sparta
Sparta
Boys learned how to sing
and play the lyre
Athens
The government only
allowed its people to
travel for military reasons
Sparta
This city-state was
named after the
goddess of wisdom
Athens
Girls stayed at home, were
taught to spin, weave, and
other household duties.
Athens
Democracy
Athens
2 kings headed a
council of elders
Sparta
Describe the government of Sparta
The government of Sparta was an oligarchy. It was ruled by two kings who oversaw a council and an
assembly. The council was comprised of 28 citizens over the age of 60. They were responsible for
presenting laws to the assembly. The assembly was made up of citizens over the age of 30 and was
responsible for voting on the laws the council presented. The assembly also chose five people every year
to serve as ephors. The ephors were responsible for law enforcement and tax collecting.
The government of Sparta kept control over its people by restricting travel for only military reasons and
discouraging foreign visitors.
Why did the Spartans stress military training? The Spartans stressed military training in order to conquer
their neighbors and control the large helot population.
What were Spartan girls trained in?
Spartan girls were trained in running, wrestling, and javelin throwing.
Why did the Spartan government discourage foreign visitors?
The Spartan government discouraged foreign visitors because they didn’t want outsiders to spread ideas
that conflicted or challenged the Spartan system.
What type of learning did the Spartan government frown upon? The Spartan government frowned upon
citizens who studied literature or the arts.
Vocabulary- Know these definitions:
Peninsula
A body of land with water on three sides
Colony
A settlement in a new territory that keeps close ties with its homeland
Polis
The early Greek city-state, made up of a city and surrounding countryside and run like an
independent country
Agora
In early Greek city-states, an open area that served as both a market and a meeting place
Tyrant
A person who takes power by force and rules with total authority
Oligarchy
A government in which a small group of people holds power
Democracy
A government in which all citizens share in running the government
Helot
A person who was conquered and enslaved by the ancient Spartans