chapter 3 review questions: - historyblue -...

Mike AlbrittonHistory Ib / Blue

B Chapter 3 Review Questions:

1. Describe the Minoan civilization of Crete. How did the later Bronze Age Mycenaean civilization differ from the Minoan civilization in political organization, art motifs, and military posture? How valuable are the Homeric epics as sources of early Greek history?

Minoan

Minoan MycenaeanPolitical Organization Ruled by single king.

Supported by bureaucracy

Detailed records kept Similar to Near East, Different from later

Greeks

Strong kings Multiple, independent

powerful monarchies. Unquestioned power

(as evidenced by grave sites which required much labor)

Art Motifs Influenced by Egypt, Asia Minor, Syria;

Peaceful scenery, games

War murals Boar hunting

Military Posture Lacked fortifications Heavily fortified Built on hills Defensive walls

Apparent wealth from raids

Value of Homeric Epics:

Very valuable: One of few texts we have from the time.Some limits to value: It was written so far after the fact. Sack of Troy about 1200 bce; Iliad & odyssey printed but some of descriptions of worship & burial resemble practices common in 9 & 10th centuries BCE (or 800’s & 900’s bce)

Democratic Homer tales don’t match with what we know of Mycenaean practice.

Appears to draw from very old verbal tales. Still, Homer shows first evidence of democ5acy, as king consulted w/ assembly and solders could express their feelings. Shows key values of the time: personal and family honor.

2. Define the concept of polis. What role did geography play in its development, and why did the Greeks consider it a unique and valuable institution?

Polis: City state, where all presumed descendants from the same founder. Groups further divided into clans, and into other subgroups.Development: Site chosen for farmland and defensibility of natural fortress, not for trade and for gods. Grew haphazardly.

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p. 95: Polis was a community to which every member must be responsible; the connection of justice with the community, aristocratic hatred of monarchy these were philosophical seeds from which democracy could grow. Even when tyrants came to power, they couldn’t stay long in the face of these deep seated values.

3. Compare the fundamental political, social and economic institutions of Athens & Sparta about 500 BCE. Why did Sparta develop its unique form of government? What were the main stage in the transformation of Athens from an aristocratic state to a democracy between 600 and 500 BCE? Knowing this perfectly gets you very close to nailing not one but two essential questions on the course. Buckle down and get this solid! It will pay off, I promise.!!!!!! Dr. A

Each started as a traditional polis, with Aristocrats controlling the best & most land. Each polis faced problems from growing population and resultant pressure on land and agricultural production.

Sparta: Land grab, and military build up to maintain, built military culture

Athens: Economic shift, and political transformation to maintain, built democratic culture

Sparta AthensPolitical Style of Gov’t:

Monarchy, oligarchy, democracy:o 2 kings,o Council of elders – 28 over 60;

judicialo Assembly – all citizens over 30;

ratifyo Ephors – 5 elected annually;

foreign policyForeign policy emphasis:

Conquer, then allow to keep land and wealth in return for collaboration in foreign policy and contribution of soldiers.

Shifted over time:Start: Areopagus: council of nobels Archons: annually elected

administrators Broad based citizens assembly: little

power, represented tribes.

Solon Debt forgiveness, no slavery for

indebteness Shift to cash crops Broadened citizenship, including to

craftsmen.

Pisistratus Hired guns help him take over. Manipulates but doesn’t destroy

democratic trappings Lots of public works Remembered mildly

Hippias An idiot Loses to Sparta backed by Isagoras

Clisthenes Is himself a noble, but forms alliance

with commoners to take power. Challenges Isagoras



Calls for & gets popular support Enlarges roles of citizens, Vests final authority in assembly of all

adult males.

Social In order to maintain control of Helots, all emphasis on military training:

Males: 0 life or death; 7 to military school; 20 to army; 30 to home but still involved; 60 to retire

Females encouraged shift care from family to polis

More inclusive, because needed skilled workers for economic trade.Solon & Pisistratus cultivated idea of participation, that others would not easily be able to diver themselves from.

Economic Geography constrained growth.Much tradeDependence on Helots to produce.In essence, a slave economy with required military power to enforce.

Geography constrained growthEven more trade.Dependence on craftsmen, cash crops to produce high value goods that then they could trade for basic needs plus a profit. As a result, had to extend citizenship to lots more people and be more inclusive.

Key themes of Athens:

1. Beginnings of democracy2. Stories of Homer3. So Close and Yet so far: Differences in Athens & Sparta4. Out of the bloodshed: Alliances and leagues.


chapter 3 review questions: - historyblue -...

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