Key Terms and Concepts of Ancient Greek Culture

Acropolis

A fortified high point in ancient Greek cities, often home to important temples and buildings, like the Acropolis of Athens.

Altar

A sacred structure used for offerings and sacrifices to the gods.

Andrōn

The men's dining room in a Greek house, used especially during symposia.

Agora

The central public space in a Greek city, used as a marketplace and gathering area.

Antigone

A tragedy by Sophocles about a woman who defies King Creon to bury her brother Polynices.

Apology

A Socratic dialogue by Plato where Socrates defends himself against charges of impiety and corrupting the youth.

Archidamus (II)

King of Sparta during the early Peloponnesian War; known for his cautious leadership.

Arkiteia

A coming-of-age ritual for girls dedicated to Artemis, practiced at Brauron.

Artemis

Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and young women; often associated with chastity and protection.

Ashlar masonry

A construction technique using precisely cut and fitted stones for building walls.

Aspasia

A learned woman in Classical Athens, companion of Pericles, known for her intelligence and rhetorical skill.

Asty

The urban center or city proper, in contrast to the surrounding countryside (chōra).

Athena

The goddess of wisdom, war, and the patron deity of Athens.

Burial

A significant religious and civic act in ancient Greece, involving rituals like the prothesis and ekphora.

Brauron

A sanctuary of Artemis in Attica, associated with the Arkiteia ritual for young girls.

Cape Zoster

A cape in Attica with a temple to Apollo.

Chorēgos

Wealthy sponsor of dramatic productions at festivals.

Chryselephantine

A sculpture style using gold and ivory.

City Dionysia

A major Athenian festival featuring dramatic contests.

Cleon

Athenian politician and general; opponent of Pericles.

Creon

King in Antigone; symbolizes law and order.

Colonus

Setting of Oedipus at Colonus; suburb of Athens.

Corcyra

Island involved in early Peloponnesian War conflict.

Corinth

Wealthy city-state with major influence in trade and politics.

Crito

Plato's dialogue about Socrates' refusal to escape prison.

Critoboulos

Son of Crito; appears in Xenophon's works.

Delian League

Athenian-led alliance formed against Persia.

Delos

Sacred island and early treasury site of the Delian League.

Diodotus

Athenian who argued against executing Mytileneans.

Dipylon Gate

Main gate in Athens; near a major cemetery.

Ekphora

Funeral procession in ancient Greek rites.

Ekklēsia

Citizen assembly in Athens for political decisions.

Eleusis

Site of the Eleusinian Mysteries dedicated to Demeter and Persephone.

Erechtheion

Temple on the Acropolis honoring multiple deities.

Eteocles

Brother of Polynices; fought in the Theban civil war.

Funeral oration

Public speech honoring the war dead.

Genre

A category of artistic composition (tragedy, comedy, etc.).

Haemon

Creon's son and Antigone's fiancé.

Herm

Pillar with Hermes' head and phallus, used as boundary markers.

Hero cult

Worship of legendary human figures as semi-divine.

Hetaira

Educated courtesan or companion, often present at symposia.

Hetairos

Companion or comrade, often in military contexts.

Hieron

A sacred precinct or sanctuary.

Horos

Boundary stone or marker.

Ikaria

An island associated with Dionysus; also a deme in Attica.

Ischomachus

Wealthy Athenian featured in Xenophon's Oeconomicus.

Ismene

Sister of Antigone; represents caution and compliance.

Kalos/kalon

"Beautiful" or "noble"; aesthetic and ethical ideal.

Kerameikos

A district of Athens, including a major cemetery.

Korē

A type of statue of a young woman, often votive.

Kyrios

The male guardian or legal representative of a woman.

Lekythos

A narrow oil flask, often found in graves.

******

Island home to the poet Sappho.

Long walls

Defensive walls connecting Athens to Piraeus.

Louterion

Basin used for ritual purification.

Marathon

Site of the Athenian victory over the Persians in 490 BCE.

Metic

A resident foreigner in Athens; had legal obligations but no full citizenship.

Misogyny

Disdain or prejudice against women, present in some Greek texts.

Mystery cult

Religious groups with secret rites (e.g., Eleusinian Mysteries).

Mytilene

A city on ****** that rebelled against Athens.

Naiskos

Small shrine, often seen in funerary art.

Nemesis

Goddess of retribution and divine justice.

Nicias

Athenian politician; negotiated the Peace of Nicias during Peloponnesian War.

Nike

Goddess of victory; often associated with Athena.

Oeconomicus

Xenophon's dialogue on estate management and household order.

Oikos

The household unit; basic structure of Greek society.

Oracle

A prophetic message from a god, typically via a priestess.

Parthenos

A maiden or virgin; associated with Athena.

Parthenon

Temple to Athena Parthenos on the Acropolis.

Pastas

A long hallway or room along a courtyard in Greek houses.

Peloponnesus

The southern Greek peninsula; home to Sparta and Corinth.

Peloponnesian Alliance

League led by Sparta opposing Athens.

Peribolos

An enclosed court or sacred precinct.

Phaedo

Plato's dialogue on Socrates' final moments and the soul.

Phil-

Greek prefix meaning 'love' (e.g., philosophy = love of wisdom).

Piraeus

The main port of Athens.

Plataea

Site of major Greek victory over Persia in 479 BCE.

Plato

Philosopher and student of Socrates; founded the Academy.

Polis

A Greek city-state; the central political unit.

Polygonal masonry

Stone construction using irregular but fitted stones.

Polynices

Brother of Eteocles; fought against Thebes in Antigone.

Poseidon

God of the sea, earthquakes, and horses.

Propylaia

The monumental gateway to the Acropolis.

Prostas

The main room or front room in a house.

Prothesis

Laying out of the body in Greek funerals.

Promachos

A front-line warrior or large statue symbolizing defense.

Prytaneum

Public building housing the city's sacred hearth and officials.

Rhamnous

Site of a temple to Nemesis and strategic fort.

Ritual lament

Public mourning performed for the dead.

Sacred Way

Road from Athens to Eleusis used in the Mysteries.

Sacrifice

Ritual offering to the gods, often of animals.

Sanctuary

Sacred area dedicated to a god.

Slavery

Central institution in ancient Greek society.

Sparta

Militarized city-state and Athens' rival.

Socle

The base or pedestal for a statue or monument.

Socrates

Philosopher who taught ethics through questioning.

Socratic irony

Pretending ignorance to expose someone else's ignorance.

Socratic speeches

Dialogues by Plato and Xenophon featuring Socratic methods.

Sophocles

Athenian playwright of tragedies like Antigone.

Sounion

Cape with a famous temple to Poseidon.