Study Guide: W. Civilization - Unit 2 Key Terms

Yo, what it is! You know what it is, it’s your man Kingmusa— and welcome to The Study Guide! Today we are going over Unit 2 Key Terms Let's dive into our next unit on Early Greece, the rise of the city-states, and the Classical Age! This is where a lot of big ideas got started, so let's break down the key things you need to know."

Key Concept of the Day: 

In this session, we'll explore the development of Greek society, politics, philosophy, and the conflicts that shaped their world. Early Greece saw local leaders (basileus) and communities (demos) evolve with councils and assemblies. The oikos (household) was central, led by the kyrios. The Archaic Age (776-500 BCE) brought the polis (city-state), Greek colonization across the Mediterranean and Black Seas (750-500 BCE), the adoption of the Phoenician alphabet leading to Greek writing, and the Eighth-Century Renaissance with Homer's epics. 

Early Greek aristocracy held power, while thetes were the lowest free class. Arete (excellence) and Panhellenism (Greek unity) were valued. Non-Greeks were termed barbarians. The Delphic Oracle was a key religious site. Pederasty and hetairai (educated courtesans) were social aspects. Lyric poetry (Sappho, Alcaeus) and Pre-Socratic Philosophy (Thales, Anaximander, Heraclitus, Parmenides) emerged. Hesiod contributed early mythology. The hoplite phalanx was a dominant military formation. Tyrants (early rulers gaining power unconventionally) and the rise of oligarchy (rule by the few) and democracy (rule by citizens, exemplified by Athens) marked political development.

Understanding ancient Greece is crucial for grasping the origins of democracy, philosophy, drama, and many other aspects of Western culture that still influence us today.

Here are the main points:

1. Early Greece evolved from basileus-led communities (demos) with councils/assemblies to the polis in the Archaic Age, fueled by colonization and the alphabet (Eighth-Century Renaissance/Homer).
2. Sparta (Laconia) was militaristic (helots from the 1st Messenian War, agoge training, more freedom for women). Power shared by ephors, Gerousia, and Apella. The "Spartan Mirage" was an idealization. They led the Peloponnesian League.
3. Athens (Attica) developed democracy under Draco, Solon (reforms), Pisistratids (tyranny), and Cleisthenes (democracy with tribes, Boule, Ekklesia, archons, ostracism).
4. The Classical Age (500-323 BCE) began with the Persian Wars (Ionian Revolt, Marathon victory under Themistocles, trireme navy). Xerxes' invasion (Thermopylae stand, Salamis victory). The Delian League became an Athenian empire (Peace of Callias?). Pericles' golden age (Aspasia, Long Walls). Athenian society had slavery and metics. The Peloponnesian War (Athens vs. Sparta) saw Greek Theater (Lysistrata, Trojan Women), the disastrous Sicilian Expedition (Alcibiades' role), Spartan Hegemony, the Thirty Tyrants, Sophists (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle), the Corinthian War, the King’s Peace, and Theban Hegemony under Epaminondas (Battle of Leuctra).
5. Macedon, under Philip II (Hellenistic Phalanx), conquered Greece (Battle of Chaeronea), forming the League of Corinth. His son, Alexander the Great, conquered Persia (Darius III), spreading Greek influence.

Polis was the central Greek city-state. Greek Colonization (750-500 BCE) spread culture. Aristocracy held early power, thetes were the lower class. Arete (excellence) and Panhellenism (Greek unity) were key concepts. Barbarians were non-Greeks. The Delphic Oracle was influential. Pederasty and hetairai were social aspects. Lyric poetry (Sappho) and Pre-Socratic Philosophy (Heraclitus) emerged. The hoplite phalanx was the main army formation. Tyrants ruled unconventionally. Oligarchy and democracy developed as political systems.

Sparta (Laconia) was militaristic after the 1st Messenian War (helots). The agoge trained citizen boys. Women had more freedom. Ephors, Gerousia, and Apella held power. The Peloponnesian League was Sparta's alliance. Athens (Attica) developed democracy through Draco's laws, Solon's reforms (ending debt slavery, class division), the Pisistratids' rule, and Cleisthenes' democratic reforms (tribes, Boule, Ekklesia, ostracism). Archons became less powerful.

The Classical Age (500-323 BCE) saw the Persian Wars (Marathon under Themistocles, Salamis naval victory after Thermopylae). The Delian League became Athenian-dominated. Pericles led Athens' golden age (Long Walls, Aspasia's influence). Athenian society included slavery and metics. The Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta led to Greek Theater (Aristophanes' Lysistrata, Euripides' Trojan Women), the Sicilian Expedition, and the rise of Sophists (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle). The Corinthian War and King’s Peace shifted power before Theban Hegemony under Epaminondas (victory at Leuctra). Macedon, under Philip II and his Hellenistic Phalanx, conquered Greece at Chaeronea, forming the League of Corinth. His son Alexander the Great conquered Persia (Darius III), spreading Hellenistic culture.

Understanding ancient Greece reveals the origins of Western democracy, philosophy, and culture. The rise of city-states like Athens and Sparta, their conflicts, and the intellectual flourishing of the Classical Age laid a foundation for later Western civilization. The eventual rise of Macedon and Alexander's conquests spread Greek ideas across a vast empire.

That wraps up today’s episode of The Study Guide on Unit 2 Key Terms. Remember, we teach to learn, and I hope this has helped you understand this period better. Keep studying, keep learning, and keep pushing toward your academic goals. Don’t forget to follow me on all platforms @Kingmusa428 and check out more episodes at kingmusa428.com. See y’all next time!