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Key Events and Concepts of Greece and Rome

May 8, 2025

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.