Mythological Narratives and Greek History

A collection of key terms and definitions related to Greek mythology, history, and narrative forms, designed to aid in exam preparation.

Mythological Narratives

Stories told by mythological characters that have collective importance, typically fictional events involving generic characters.

Fable

A traditional story with a moral lesson, often featuring animals as characters.

Chronology of Greek History

Recognizing the different general periods of Greek and Roman history, emphasizing the importance of their order.

Polis

The Greek city-state, an autonomous community with its identity tied to local myths, gods, and civic culture.

Minoan Culture

A sophisticated civilization on the island of Crete during the Early and Middle Bronze Age, known for its art and mythology.

Mycenaean Culture

A dominant culture in Late Bronze Age Greece, notable for its fortified cities and influence on later Greek mythology.

Theogony

A work by Hesiod that describes the origin of the gods and the cosmos, presenting genealogies and ideological narratives.

Chaos in Hesiod's Theogony

Refers to the primordial gap or emptiness from which the cosmos originates, differing from the modern notion of disorder.

Personified Abstractions

Abstract concepts brought to life as deities in Greek mythology, such as Ate (blindness) and Eros (sexuality).

Cyclades

A group of islands in a circular formation in the Aegean Sea, each inhabited by ancient Greek communities.

Sporades

A group of islands scattered in the Aegean Sea, referenced in relation to agricultural metaphor and Greek mythology.

Archaic Period

The period in Greek history marked by the rise of the polis, early Greek literature, and the adoption of the Phoenician alphabet.

Classical Period

A significant era in Greek history characterized by the golden age of Athens, flourishing arts, and philosophy.

Hellenistic Period

The era following Alexander the Great's conquests, marked by cultural diffusion and the establishment of Greek kingdoms.

Roman Period

The time when Rome conquered Greek territories, significantly impacting Greek literature and culture.

Indo-European Pantheon

A set of gods brought to Greece by Indo-European migrators, replacing earlier matriarchal religious structures.

Memorial Practices

Civic celebrations, rituals, or festivals in city-states reflecting collective identities tied to mythological narratives.

Akkadian

An ancient Semitic language once spoken in Mesopotamia, often used in historical records relevant to Greek culture.

The role of the sea

Essential for travel and trade among ancient Greeks, shaping their communities and stories.

Isolation due to topography

The mountainous geography of Greece that led to the establishment of small, independent city-states.