Greek history
1) The sources for ancient history are divided into four categories. Name each of them, and briefly describe two of those categories.Archaeology is the science or study of history derived from the evidence of the relics and remains of early human cultures as discovered chiefly by systematic excavations. The Oxford Classical dictionary defines archaeology as ‘the study of the whole material culture’. By this definition, archaeology is the study of history through the analysis of tangible evidence. e.g. roads, buildings, sculptures, toolsNumismatics is the science of coins and medals. As a source, coins are of particular importance. A lot can be determined in regards to metal usage, quantity of metals, craftsmanship, identity (in terms of origin) and trade. Coins were generally made of gold, silver, electrum, bronze and copper. Not much has changed in the way of coins. The designs are easily identifiable as to which pe
Some poleis were incredibly small and others such as Athens and Sparta have been estimated to have population figures above a hundred thousand. Many Poleis could be found near the coastal areas where the sea was accessible and the land less rugged. In all simplicity, it is a community of citizens (adult males), women, children, slaves and resident foreigners. These lack of resources had forced groups of people to roam and create colonies that could be self supporting and very often those Poleis were situated on the sparse and separated patches of suitable land all over Greece. There are many sources that define the Polis in one way or the other as a city-state. The agora was the focal point for the city’s everyday affairs and trade of all kinds. Even of more significance was the ‘Council House’ where the ‘Boule’ sat. Brothels, foodstuffs, barbers and all levels of commerce took place here. In light of this, it is possible to deduce that Romans had contact with other countries. These physical formations affected the development of Poleis in regards to location. Not only did the lack of resources affect them, yet the sheer physical divisions, which were the result of mountains and other natural land formations. Socrates said that an ideal population for an poleis would be that of 5000 citizens, which taking into consideration of non-citizens came to a figure of roughly 15000 to 20000 people. This later extended to islands and land that was far removed from the Greek peninsula. Also the quantity of coins at a certain location could give some idea as to the amount of trade that existed. These were the eldest and richest in the city (council of 500) who ran the city when the assembly was not in season.
Common topics in this essay:
Persian Wars,
Numismatics Numismatics,
Classical World,
Polis Poleis,
Athens Sparta,
Oxford Classical,
Archaeology Archaeology,
Short Answers,
Inscriptions Literature,
study history,
lack resources,
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