Download Chapter 8 Reading Guide Section 1, Geography and the Early

Chapter 8 Reading Guide
Section 1, Geography and the Early Greeks
1. Define key terms & vocabulary for 8.1.
*Polis- ________________________________________________________________
*Classical- _____________________________________________________________
*Acropolis- ____________________________________________________________
2. List 5 landforms you will find in (or near) Greece.
1) Mountains - cover most of Greece
2) Peninsula - mainland of Greece (1 big peninsula & series of smaller ones)
3) Islands - many off the coast of Greece
4) Seas- Mediterranean, Ionian & Aegean - used seas as source of food & trading
5) Valleys & coastal plains- People settled in flat areas along coast & river valleys
3. What made it difficult for early villages communicate with each other? The villages were
separated by mountains & seas. Traveling across this was difficult so communities were
isolated. People created their own government & ways of life. They spoke the same language
but still saw themselves as separate countries.
4. The 2 trading cultures in early Greece were the Minoans & the Mycenaens.
Mycenaeans
Minoans
Where did they live?
Present-day Greece
Island of Crete – 2000 BC
(Mycenae)
How did they spend their
Built fortresses all over Greek At sea & trading
time?
mainland
Shipbuilders
Did they speak Greek?
YES - 1st people to speak
NO-Not considered Greek b/c
st
Greek, so are the 1 Greeks.
they didn’t speak Greek.
What happened to make it
Invaders from Europe came to Wiped out by a volcano
decline / end?
Greece; earthquakes
List an additional fact
Took over island of Crete
Best shipbuilders of their time
when Minoan power declined
List an additional fact
Did not trade peacefully;
Traded wood, olive oil &
possibly started the Trojan
pottery along Med. Sea for
War???
copper, gold, silver & jewels
5. What happened to Greece when the Mycenaean civilization crumbled? It slid into a period of
warfare & disorder – The Dark Ages
6. How do we know about the Greeks of the Dark Ages? They left no written records. We only
know about it from archaeological findings.
7. What is the foundation of Greek civilization? city-state. List 3 reasons why this is important:
1) Gave them an identity–thought of themselves as residents of a city–not Greeks
2) Protection & Stability – city built around a strong fortress on an acropolis. The
acropolis was surrounded by walls for extra protection.
3) Marketplace/agora – meeting place for political, religious, shopping & social events.
Farmers brought crops to trade for goods the craftsmen made.
8. The Greeks eventually established colonies. Where? around Med. & Black Seas- present-day
Istanbul, Turkey, Marseille, France & Naples, Italy
9. Read “Natural Disasters” on p. 234-235**
1) The ash cloud traveled northeast after the island’s eruption.
2) The human ash cloud may have influenced Minoan civilization by causing
immediate death and destruction, long-term decline of the Minoan civilization due to
damage to ships, harbors & farmlands.
ENRICHMENT: 1. How did the geography affect the development of Greek city-states? Greece
is very mountainous. It is difficult to cross the mountains so people formed city-states instead of
becoming united under one Greek government.
Section 2 Government and Athens
1. Define key terms & vocabulary for 8.2.
*Democracy- ___________________________________________________________
*Aristocrats- ___________________________________________________________
*Oligarchy- ____________________________________________________________
*Citizens- _____________________________________________________________
*Tyrant- _______________________________________________________________
*Pericles- _____________________________________________________________
2. Greece is the birthplace of what? Democracy
3. Under what type of government did the Greeks first live? Oligarchy - rule by few
They were ruled by aristocrats (rich landowners-nobles). Common people had little say
in the government.
4. Who overthrew the oligarchy? Peisistratus (py-Sis-truht-uhs) What type of leader did
he become? He was a tyrant (a leader who held power through the use of force). They
could only stay in power if they had strong armies and people supported them. Was this
good or bad in Athens? Athenian tyrants were usually good leaders.
5. Complete the table below: List 3 facts/important people for each type.
Oligarchy
Tyranny
Democracy
Ruler(s) /
1) Draco (too harsh) Peisistratus –
Cleisthenes
leader(s)
2) Solon (less harsh) overthrew oligarchy
in 546 BC
Is it harsh?
Sometimes
YES
NO
List an additional Aristocrats ruled
Aristocrats were
Slaves, women &
fact
unhappy w/
foreigners had no say
Peisistratus’ son –
so in government.
rival city-state
Original juries had
attacked
200-6,000 people!
Today – only 12
6. What city-state created democracy? Athens. Who was its’ ruler? Cleisthenes.
What is he sometimes called? Father of democracy
7. Briefly describe the democracy under Cleisthenes. All citizens had right to participate
in assembly – very large; sometimes difficult; Created laws; Every citizen had right to
speak his opinion; Debated issues; Voted by show of hands or secret ballots; Eventually
selected citizens to decide what laws to be discussed(city officials); Decided court cases
8. Read DEMOCRACY IN ACTION on p. 238-239 & answer the Q:
1) Usually by show of hands, but sometimes written on broken pottery & counted
9. Under which leader did Athens reach its height? Pericles. Name two things he did:
1) Encouraged people to participate in government
2) Paid people to serve in public office and on juries
3) Believed participating in government was as important as defending in war
10. The two types of modern democracy are listed below. Describe them.
Direct Democracy
Rep. Democracy / Republic
Who could
participate?
All citizens (free males – no
slaves or women)
Each person’s decision directly
affects the outcome of a vote
Additional fact(s) Would not work today b/c every
citizen has to gather together to
debate.
11. What type of democracy did Athens have? Direct
Define
All citizens
Citizens elect officials to represent them
in the government
Founded by U.S.; Americans elect
senators & representative to Congress
ENRICHMENT:
1. In what situations would a representative democracy work better than a direct
democracy? ___________________________________________________________
2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “ Representative democracy
works better than direct democracy in large countries.” _________________________.
Why do you feel this way? ________________________________________________
3. Read Pericles’ Funeral Oration on p. 240 & answer the Q: _____________________
______________________________________________________________________
Section 3: Greek Mythology and Literature
1. Define key terms & vocabulary for 8.3.
*Mythology- ____________________________________________________________
*Homer- ______________________________________________________________
*Sappho- ______________________________________________________________
*Aesop- _______________________________________________________________
*Fables- ______________________________________________________________
2. Did the Greeks practice monotheism or polytheism? Polytheism
3.How did they explain natural or historical events? Mythology - stories about gods and
heroes that explain how the world works
4. “Let the Games Begin” – p. 245
Similar – take place every 4 years, has races, boxing, wrestling, etc…
Different – Today women & men compete & more events
5. Summarize the story of the god Hephaestus, who lived underground. He lived
underground & was responsible for fire & lava that came out of volcanoes. He created
weapons & armor for the other gods.
6. Summarize the story of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. Demeter’s daughter was
kidnapped by another god. She was allowed to return to Demeter, but only 6 months a
year. Demeter is sad the other 6 months so she doesn’t allow plants to grow (fall/winter)
7. What did the Greeks do to keep the gods happy? Built temples to honor them
8. Name 2 Greek HEROES (not gods) & tell what they did.
1) Theseus-killed Minotaur
2) Jason – searched seas & fought enemies while looking for treasures
3) Hercules- fought monsters (hydra story)
9. Turn to p. 254 and read question #20. You are going to write a short myth on your
own paper. Start brainstorming about this now and begin writing when you’re ready.
10. Who is the famous Greek poet? HOMER
Name his two most famous works and what is was about:
1)The Iliad - tells the story of the last years of the Trojan War. Focuses on the
deeds of Greeks (Achilles - the greatest of the Greek Warriors (Achilles tendon)
2) The Odyssey - focuses on the challenges of Greek hero Odysseus and the
challenges he faces for 10 years, trying to get home.
**Both are tales of adventures. They are for entertainment and are educational.
Both are considered part of Greek history.
11. What were the Greek stories that teach readers lessons? Fables
Who is the most famous person that wrote fables? Aesop
(What was the name of the Indian writer’s book that was a collection of stories to
teach people lessons? – Panchatantra What is the name of the India work that
was a model on how Hindus should behave? – Ramayana)
12. Who are the following named after & why:
Odyssey – Odysseus – from Homer’s poem
Titanic- Titans-group of large & powerful Greek gods
Atlas Mtns.- giant named Atlas who held up the sky
Athens- Athena – goddess of wisdom
Europe- Princess named Europa
13. Read the Iliad & Odyssey excerpts on p. 250-251. Answer Q at the end:
1) Achilles, Hector & Odysseus share the fact that they are brave warriors.
2) Odysseus illustrates that Greeks use myths to explain the natural world because
it uses sea monsters to explain a dangerous strait in the Mediterranean Sea.
ENRICHMENT:
1. What are some of the topics that appear in ancient Greek literature? _____________
______________________________________________________________________
2. Read “Greek influence on Language” on p. 248. Which story do you find the most
interesting? VARIES Why? VARIES Have you ever used this expression before?