After having read the chapter and listened to this podcast, students should be able to

Appreciate how Greece’s geography affected Greek history. 

Be familiar with Homer and why his work was used as the basis for Greek education.

Understand the chief features of the Greek city-state (polis) and the major differences between Athens and Sparta.

Know what the Greeks meant by democracy and to what degree Athens was a democracy.

Understand the effects that the two great conflicts of the fifth century—the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War—had on Greek civilization.

Comprehend how Alexander the Great was able to conquer as much territory as he did and what  kind of legacy he left.

Understand how the political and social institutions of the Hellenistic world differed from those of Classical Greece.