crucible of civilization

1. What was the situation in Athens in 508 BC?  
   The city turned on the rulers and demanded freedom.

2. What class did Cleisthenes come from and what kind of power did this group exercise over Athenians? 
   Cleisthenes was an aristocrat, this group ruled Athens.

3. How did Aristotle describe life for most Athenians in the 6th century BC?  
   Life in Athens in the 6th century was tough, there was no reading/writing and there was rarely any true justice, life expectancy after birth was 16 years.

4. Where were the great civilizations in Cleisthenes day and how was Greece geographically different than these?  
   Greece had many mountains and hills. East to Persia and west to Egypt.Greece was different because it seperated into city-states. 

5. What Greek city seemed the most likely to dominate all others politically during Cleisthenes lifetime?  
   Sparta because they were raising an army and were taught only about fighting skills and were disciplined well. They also expanded very quickly.

6. What specific stories inspired Cleisthenes and his fellow Greeks?  
   Iliad and the Odyssey, he liked ancient tales and myths especially the kinds with mighty battles, struggles, and heroes.

7. Describe Arete, the Greek ideal or vision of a hero. 
   A life of greatness and glory through strength and valor and to become a real life hero.

8. What surprising political move did the ruler Pisistratus make in order to consolidate power in Athens?  
   He asked the common athenians for support instead of the aristocrats and he lowered taxes and introduced free loans.

9. What was Athens' most valuable trading commodity? 
   Olives, soap, and moisturizer.

10. What Athenian product that was almost worthless at the time now commonly fetches millions of dollars on the Antiquities market? What were the artisans who made these products main motivation in doing such good work?  
    The vase, when doing such good work they would paint a vase that resemble each other.

11. How was Hippias a different ruler than his father Pisistratus? What did he do to his father's reforms?  
    Hippias was a tyrant and he stripped away the reforms and freedoms.

12. What did Cleisthenes do in 510 BC? How was Greek society in Athens changing at this time? He overthrew Hippias and succeeded. he changed the government. 

13. How had the Olympics changed from their founding to the days of Cleisthenes and how did this festival influence ordinary Greeks? 
    They used to be a competition for the wealthiest Greeks but changed for anyone to participate.

14. Who did Isagoras turn to in 508 BC to help him overthrow Cleisthenes?
    Sparta

15. What happened in Athens while Cleisthenes was in exile? What did this do for Cleisthenes? There was a revolution Cleisthenes gained power and led Athens.

16. What did Cleisthenes carve out from the hillside that was near the Acropolis and why did he do this? What was this the beginning of?  

He carved out a meeting place for the citizens so even the common people got a say on what they wanted and their opinions.This was the beginning of their democracy.