Greek Heroes & City-States

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and definitions from the lecture on Greek Heroes and City-States.

Argos

A prominent city in ancient Greece located in the Argolid district.

Perseus

A Greek hero known for slaying the Gorgon, Medusa.

Gorgons

Monstrous sisters, including Medusa, who turn people to stone.

Danaids

The 50 daughters of Danaus who were known for killing their husbands.

Heracles

The greatest Greek hero, famous for his Twelve Labors.

Twelve Labors of Heracles

A series of tasks assigned to Heracles, featuring challenges like slaying the Nemean Lion.

Theseus

An Athenian hero who killed the Minotaur and had various adventures.

Minotaur

A creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull, defeated by Theseus

Ariadne

Daughter of Minos who helped Theseus escape the Labyrynth.

Hebe

The goddess of youth who became the wife of Heracles after his apotheosis.

Eurystheus

The king who assigned the labors to Heracles.

Cadmus

Founder of Thebes, known for slaying the serpent of Ares.

Cetus

A sea monster sent by Poseidon to punish Cassiopeia.

Labyrynth

A complex maze designed by Daedalus to house the Minotaur.

Chimaera

A fire-breathing monster in Greek mythology, part lion, goat, and serpent.

Autochthonous

Born from the soil; refers to the original inhabitants of a region.

Prometheus

A titan known for stealing fire from the gods and giving it to humanity.

Argonauts

A band of heroes who sailed with Jason to find the Golden Fleece.

Cerynean Stag

A sacred stag to Artemis, captured as one of Heracles' labors.

Alcmene

The mother of Heracles by Zeus.

Hermes

The messenger god who assists heroes and is involved in numerous myths.

Medusa

A Gorgon slain by Perseus and one of the monstrous sisters who turn people to stone.

Nemean Lion

A fierce lion with impenetrable skin, slain by Heracles as one of his Twelve Labors.

Minos

The king of Crete, father of Ariadne.

Thebes

An ancient Greek city founded by Cadmus.

Ares

The Greek god of war, whose serpent was slain by Cadmus.

Poseidon

The god of the sea, who sent the sea monster Cetus to punish Cassiopeia.

Cassiopeia

A queen punished by Poseidon for her hubris, by having Cetus sent to her kingdom.

Daedalus

A skilled inventor and craftsman who designed the Labyrynth to house the Minotaur.

Jason

The leader of the Argonauts who quested for the Golden Fleece.

Golden Fleece

A magical golden wool from a ram, sought by Jason and the Argonauts.

Artemis

The goddess of the hunt, to whom the Cerynean Stag was sacred.

Zeus

King of the Olympian gods and father of Heracles by Alcmene.