478 BCE -- A confederation of Greek city-states designed to resist Persian imperialism. The Delian League cemented the political power of the Athenians, while at the same time the Spartans shied away from international politics. The headquarters of the Delian League was on the Island of Delos, central to the Ionian …

550- 469 BCE -- A series of battles and uprisings stemming from Persian encroachment into Greek territories. The Persians conquered the Ionian Greek cities prior to 550 BCE, however, the Persian rule was seen as needlessly harsh and cruel by the Greeks. The Greeks revolted in 499 BCE

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A temple located in Delphi where a priestess listened to questions, and delivered responses that were said to be from the Greek God Apollo. The priestess listened to the questions in a state of ecstasy that was believed to be caused by Apollo. Priests interpreted the responses and returned the …

A military system utilized by the Greeks, 800 - 700 BCE. Hoplites were heavily armed infantry men who wore bronze or leather helmets, breast plates, and greaves or shin-guards. Hoplites carried round shields, short swords, and a long spear, about 9 feet in length. Hoplites are known to have used a …

The Greek word for city-state. A unit of governmental and social organization where Greek cultures identify themselves through a nearby city-center, i.e., metropolis, and have common language, customs, history, and religion. Two well-known Poleis are Sparta and Athens.

Greek Philosophers who's ideas date from before the time of Socrates, 469 BCE. The pre-Socratic philosophers are noted for their attempts to explain the universe through unifying principals. These philosophers also attempted to describe the nature of reality, and commonly considered existence to be either constant or malleable. Notable pre-Socratic …