Plato's Republic p.1

Oligarchic

Relating to a government where power is held by a small, elite group, typically defined by wealth. In Plato's cycle of regimes, oligarchy arises when the love of honor is replaced by the love of money.

Democratic

Relating to a system where power is held by the people. Plato was famously critical of this, viewing it as a state of "excessive freedom" that eventually leads to chaos.

Panhellenic

Representing or relating to all Greek people. It refers to ideas or institutions (like the Olympic Games) that transcended individual city-states like Athens or Sparta.

Hegemony

The leadership or dominance of one state or group over others. In the Greek context, this often referred to the dominant position of Athens or Sparta over the other city-states.

Junta

A small group (usually military) that rules a country after taking power by force. While a modern term, it is often used to describe the "Thirty Tyrants" who briefly ruled Athens.

Parliament / Legislature

The branches of government responsible for making laws. In ancient Athens, this was the Ecclesia (Assembly).

Sovereign

Possessing supreme or ultimate power. In an ideal state, Plato argued that Reason (or the Philosopher King) should be the sovereign authority.

Blocs

Groups of nations or parties combined by a common interest or an alliance.

Eunomia

"Good order" or "Governance by good laws." It represents a state where the laws are just and the citizens obey them willingly.

Austere

Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance. Plato’s "Guardians" lived an austere lifestyle, devoid of private property or luxury, to prevent corruption.

Espouse

To adopt or support a cause, belief, or way of life. Socrates often asks his interlocutors which definitions of justice they truly espouse.

Laudatory

Expressing praise and commendation. Plato discusses which types of poetry and music are laudatory toward virtuous men and should be allowed in the city.

Disenchantment

A feeling of disappointment about someone or something previously respected or admired; often used to describe the citizens' transition between different types of government.

Emblem

A heraldic device or symbolic object as a distinctive badge of a nation, organization, or family.

Avarice

Extreme greed for wealth or material gain. Plato viewed avarice as the primary "appetite" that destroys an Oligarchy and leads to its downfall.

Poignant

Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret. Often used to describe the tragic realization of a character or the decline of a once-great city.

Insulate

To protect from outside influence. The "Ideal City" (Kallipolis) was designed to be insulated from the "feverish" influences of luxury and foreign corruption.

Belied

Failed to give a true notion or impression of something; disguised or contradicted. A tyrant’s outward appearance of happiness often belied his internal misery.

Convulsive

Consisting of or causing sudden, violent, irregular movements. Used metaphorically to describe the violent transitions and civil wars (stasis) between different political regimes.

inaugurate

1

: to induct into an office with suitable ceremonies

2

a

: to dedicate ceremoniously : observe formally the beginning of.

inaugurate a new school

b

: to bring about the beginning of

an event that inaugurated a new era in history