Ancient Greek History and Governance Vocabulary

Key vocabulary terms, concepts, and figures related to early Greek society, governance, Athenian political systems, and colonization.

Astu

The urban center or main city of a Greek polis.

Chōra

The countryside and surrounding territory belonging to a polis.

Dēmos

The people or citizen population of a Greek community.

Deme

A local administrative district in Athens where citizens were registered.

Aristocracy

Government ruled by a small group of wealthy or noble families considered the best.

Oligarchy

A government ruled by a small group of people.

Tyranny

Government ruled by one person who gained power outside the traditional system.

Apoikia

An independent Greek colony established in another location.

Emporion

A trading post or commercial settlement used for trade.

Oikistēs

The appointed founder or leader of a Greek colony.

Seisachtheia

Solon's debt-relief reforms that canceled certain debts and ended debt slavery for Athenian citizens.

Thētes

The lowest property class in Solon's Athenian class system, generally made up of poorer citizens and wage laborers.

Anarchia

A period without an archon, or chief magistrate, in Athens.

Nestor's Cup

Early Greek alphabet, inscription, poetry, and drinking culture.

Works and Days / Myth of the Races

Hesiod, farming, justice, and the five ages.

Solon

Debt cancellation, seisachtheia, and political reforms.

Pisistratus and the Pisistratids

Three attempts, tyranny, his sons, and the end of tyranny.

Cleisthenes of Athens

Ten tribes, demes, Council of 500, and beginnings of democracy.