The geography of Greece includes a series of peninsulas, many islands, and rocky mountains. Polis: early Greek city-state, made up of a city and the surrounding countryside. Each polis was run like an independent country.

Hoplites: citizen soldiers of ancient Greek city-states. Hoplites were primarily armed with a round shield, a short sword, and a 9-foot spear.

Phalanx: rectangular mass military formation of row upon row of soldiers who would march forward together, shoulder to shoulder, and use their shields to create a protective wall

Spartan slaves, the helots, were people who had been conquered by the Spartans. There were many more helots than citizens in Sparta. The Spartans treated them very harshly so they would not revolt. At times, helots could be killed by a Spartan citizen without any repercussion.

Even though the Greeks defeated them, the Persians still remained a threat. Athens joined with other city-states (but not Sparta) to form the Delian League. Promised to defend its members against the Persians. Athens eventually gains power.

Athens vs. Sparta Causes: expansion of Athenian power, Spartan jealousy, conflicting political beliefs

Spartans defeated the Athenians Greece became disorganized and vulnerable to attacks from outsiders Macedonia (to the north) grows in power

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