Ancient Greece Review

Key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on Ancient Greece.

Hellas

The original name of Greece, characterized by mountains and narrow valleys.

Poleis

Independent city-states in ancient Greece, each with its own laws, currency, army, and government.

Minoan Civilization

A civilization that appeared on Crete during the Bronze Age and dominated the eastern Mediterranean.

Mycenaean Culture

A culture created by the Achaeans, developed in the Peloponnese, featuring walled cities and bronze weapons.

Acropolis

The upper, fortified part of an ancient Greek city, typically containing important religious buildings.

Agora

A public open space used for assemblies and markets in ancient Greek cities.

Tyranny

A form of government in ancient Greece where power was seized and held by force with absolute authority.

Aristocracy

A form of government ruled by a small group of noble, landowning families.

Democracy

A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

Oligarchy

A form of government in which a small number of people hold power.

Delian League

An alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens, formed to protect against Persian invasions.

Peloponnesian War

A war fought between Athens and Sparta, which resulted in the defeat of Athens.