Greek and Roman Art, Literature, and Mythology Overview

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and terms from Greek and Roman art, mythology, and literature, useful for exam preparation.

Mycenaean Collapse

A significant loss of art, writing, and metalwork around the 12th century BCE.

Doric Order

A style of Greek architecture characterized by sturdy columns and simple capitals.

Kouros

A statue of a nude young male, often used as a grave marker.

Kore

A statue of a clothed young female figure, often associated with offerings.

Parthenon

A temple in Athens built in the 5th century BCE dedicated to Athena.

Black-Figure Technique

An early Greek vase painting style where figures are painted in black on red clay.

Red-Figure Technique

A Greek vase painting style that allows for greater detail and expression by leaving the figures red and painting the background black.

Amphora

A type of storage jar used in ancient Greece.

Hydria

A water jug used in ancient Greek ceremonies.

Krater

A bowl used for mixing wine in ancient Greece.

Epic Poetry

Long narrative poems that often celebrate heroic deeds and adventures.

Kleos

A Greek term meaning glory, particularly in the context of heroic deeds.

Xenia

The ancient Greek concept of hospitality and the relationship between a host and guest.

Pietas

Roman term emphasizing duty to family, gods, and the state.

Hero's Journey

A narrative structure that involves a hero who goes on an adventure, faces challenges, and returns transformed.

Venus

The Roman goddess of love, often associated with beauty and desire.

Fate vs. Free Will

A theme in literature exploring the tension between destiny and personal choice.

Transformation

A central theme in Ovid's Metamorphoses that involves characters changing form or nature.

Tantalus

A figure from Greek mythology punished in the afterlife with unreachable food and drink.

Atreidae

The lineage of Agamemnon and Menelaus, key figures in the Trojan War.

Orestes

The son of Agamemnon, known for avenging his father's death by killing his mother.

Euripides

A playwright who presented powerful, complex female characters and themes of revenge.

Argonautica

An epic poem by Apollonius about Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece.

Clytaemestra

Agamemnon's wife who kills him and is later killed by her son Orestes.

Medea

A character who plays a significant role in the tragedy of Jason and the Argonauts, known for her cunning and revenge.

The Iliad

An ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, focusing on the Trojan War.

The Odyssey

An epic poem by Homer about Odysseus's journey home from the Trojan War.

Pygmalion

A sculptor who fell in love with a statue he created, which was brought to life by Aphrodite.

Nostos

The theme of homecoming in Greek literature, especially in the context of Odysseus's return to Ithaca.

Eris

The goddess of strife whose actions lead to the Trojan War through the golden apple incident.

Oral Tradition

The practice of storytelling by which cultural and historical narratives are passed down verbally.

Deus ex Machina

A plot device whereby a seemingly insurmountable problem is suddenly resolved by an unexpected occurrence.

The Aeneid

An epic poem by Virgil that tells the story of Aeneas's journey and the founding of Rome.

Loyalty

A major theme in The Odyssey, highlighted through characters' fidelity to one another.

The Oresteia

A trilogy of Greek tragedies by Aeschylus exploring themes of justice and revenge.

Eumenides

The Furies, later transformed into the Eumenides or 'kindly ones,' representing justice in the Oresteia.

Furies

Chthonic deities of vengeance who pursue wrongdoers, particularly those guilty of familial bloodshed.

Roman Innovations

Developments in art and architecture that reflect the adaptation of Greek traditions.

Patriarchy

A social system where men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership.

Class Structure

The hierarchical organization of society based on wealth, power, or social status.

Elysium

In Greek mythology, the final resting place for the souls of the heroic and virtuous.

Labyrinth

A complex structure designed by Daedalus to house the Minotaur.

Centaurs

Half-human, half-horse creatures often depicted in Greek mythology.

Fates

Three sister goddesses who control human destiny in Greek mythology.

Hero Cult

The worship of heroes in ancient Greece, where individuals were venerated after death.

Chthonic Gods

Deities associated with the underworld and the earth.

Cloaca Maxima

An ancient Roman sewer system, reflecting the engineering prowess of Roman society.

Pantheon

A temple in Rome dedicated to all gods, symbolizing the importance of diverse worship.

Roman Religion

The polytheistic belief system practiced in ancient Rome incorporating numerous deities.

Ceres

The Roman goddess of agriculture, equivalent to the Greek Demeter.

Vestal Virgins

Priestly virgins in ancient Rome charged with maintaining the sacred fire of Vesta.

Narcissus

A figure in Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflection.

Chiron

A wise centaur known for his teaching and healing abilities.

Metamorphosis

A transformation in literature, often emphasizing change in characters' identities or forms.

Pygmalion Effect

A phenomenon where higher expectations lead to an increase in performance.

Cascading Myths

The way myths evolve over time, influencing each other.

Cautionary Tales

Stories that convey a moral or lesson, often regarding the dangers of hubris.

Intertextuality

The relationship between texts and how they reference or influence each other.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Ambiguity

The presence of two or more possible meanings in a single word or phrase.

Crisis of Identity

A common theme in literature where characters struggle with their self-identity.

Public Art

Art created for public spaces, often with a social or political message.

Mythological Allusion

A reference to a myth or mythology within a text.

Catabasis

A journey to the underworld in literature.

Inheritance of Identity

The concept that identity can be inherited through familial lines.

Archetype

A typical example of a person or thing that embodies universal patterns.

Divine Retribution

The concept that deities hold individuals accountable for their actions.

Socratic Method

A form of cooperative argumentative dialogue to stimulate critical thinking.

Aestheticization of Violence

The portrayal of violent acts in art as beautiful or appealing.

Rhetorical Strategies

Techniques used to persuade or inform an audience effectively.

Codification of Myths

The formal organization and preservation of mythological narratives over time.

Ephemeral Art

Artworks that are considered temporary and not intended for permanent display.

Allegorical Interpretation

Reading a narrative as containing an underlying moral or philosophical meaning.

Moral Ambiguity

A situation in literature where the ethics of a character's actions are unclear.

Feminist Critique

An analysis that examines literature through the lens of feminist theory.

Narrative Perspective

The vantage point from which the story is told.

Patriarchal Society

A society in which men hold primary power.

Cultural Syncretism

The blending of different cultural practices and beliefs.

Iconography

The visual imagery and symbols associated with a particular subject or theme.

Postcolonial Critique

An examination of literature through the impacts of colonialism.

Universal Themes

Themes that resonate across multiple cultures and time periods.

Displacement

A feeling of being out of place, often explored in literature regarding identity.

Crisis of Faith

A moment of significant doubt regarding one's beliefs or values.

Circular Narrative

A narrative structure where the story ends where it began.

Mortality,

The state of being subject to death; often a theme in classical literature.

Ambivalence

The coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings.

Victimhood

The state of having been harmed or disadvantaged.

Mythical Archetypes

Recurring symbols or motifs in myths that represent universal patterns.

Mythological Context

The circumstances and settings that shape a myth's narrative.

Heroism and Sacrifice

The themes of bravery and selflessness commonly found in narratives.

Moral Complexity

The multi-faceted nature of ethical dilemmas faced by characters.