Greece and Rome Study Guide Notes

City-States

• Greece: Comprised of many independent city-states often in conflict.
• Rome: Began as one of many city-states in Italy, evolved into a vast empire.

Acropolis

• Fortified part of ancient Greek cities, typically on a hill.
• Athens' Acropolis: Notable for the Parthenon, dates from the 5th century BC.

Athens vs. Sparta

• Athens: Democratic, valued philosophy.
• Sparta: Military state, prioritized strength and fighting.
• Shared language, religion, cultural practices, and festivals.

Persian Wars

• Combatants: Greek city-states vs. Persian Empire.
• Major Battles: Southeast Europe, West Asia, Northeast Africa.
• Outcome: Persian Empire's defeat, leading to Athens and Sparta dominance.

Democracy

• Definition: Government by the people, directly or through representatives.
• Athenian Democracy: Direct democracy but limited to male citizens; more exclusive than modern democracies.

Peloponnesian War

• Combatants: Athens vs. Sparta.
• Major Battles: Siege of Syracuse, Mantinea, Pylos, Aegospotami.
• Outcome: Sparta's victory.

Philosophy

• Definition: Study of knowledge, reality, existence.
• Socrates: Moral virtue, self-knowledge, soul's health.
• Plato: Systematic study of ideas and issues.

Alexander the Great

• Renowned military strategist and empire builder.
• Conquests expanded from Balkans to India, founded many cities like Alexandria.

Mythical Origins of Rome

• Legend of Romulus and Remus: Founders of Rome, raised by a she-wolf.

Roman Society Classes

• Patricians: Aristocratic class.
• Plebeians: Commoner class.

Roman Republic

• Structure: Senate, Magistrates, Assemblies.

End of the Republic

• Julius Caesar: Military leader, political reformer, assassinated, marking the Republic's end.

Emperors

• Caesar Augustus: First Roman emperor, reconciled Protestants and Catholics.
• Constantine the Great: Legalized Christianity, established Constantinople.

Rise of Christianity

• Key Figures: Jesus, Paul of Tarsus (missionary).
• Martyrs: Killed for beliefs.

Fall of Rome

• Barbarian Invasions: Crucial in the Western Empire's fall.
• Christianity: Not solely responsible for the decline.
• Division: Empire split east and west by Diocletian, permanent in 395 CE.