Ancient Greece: Philosophy, Government, Olympics, Theater, Architecture, and Figures

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering key philosophers, government models, Olympic traditions, theater developments, architectural orders, and notable historical figures from Ancient Greece.

Socrates

Greek philosopher who taught Plato, encouraged questioning and defending one's beliefs, was one of the first to question the existence of the gods, and was later blamed for Athens losing the Peloponnesian War.

Plato

Greek philosopher who taught Aristotle, founded the Academy in Athens, and wrote 'The Republic', which offered suggestions on how to govern.

Aristotle

Greek philosopher who tutored Alexander the Great and created the first zoo and botanical garden.

Monarchy

A form of government ruled by a king and queen holding ultimate power, which is passed down through the family.

Oligarchy

A form of government ruled by a small group of aristocrats who make all decisions, exemplified by Sparta's council system and its two kings and two queens.

Tyranny

A government established when a tyrant (or dictator) seizes power by force with the backing of the military and/or the middle and working class.

Democracy

A system of government that places power and decision-making in the hands of its citizens, who vote on laws, make decisions, and elect leaders.

Direct Democracy

A democratic system where citizens directly vote on every individual issue and governmental position.

Representative Democracy

A democratic system in which citizens elect representatives who are expected to follow the wishes of the people they represent.

Solon

Athenian leader who aided democracy by eliminating debt slavery and establishing governing bodies such as the People's Courts, People's Assembly, and the Council of 400.

Pericles

Athenian statesman who made government positions paid full-time jobs, enacted reforms to involve lower-class citizens, and used public funds to build roads, government buildings, and the Parthenon.

Ancient Greek Voting Qualifications

The requirements to vote in ancient Greece: being male, at least 18 years old, owning land, and holding citizenship in that city.

Olympics

Athletic competitions held in Olympia beginning in 776 B.C., officially dedicated to Zeus as a way for Greeks to honor the gods of their cities.

Pankration

An early Olympic combat event consisting of mixed martial arts.

The Chorus

The first element added to Greek theatre beyond a single actor; members chanted, sang, and narrated during the play.

Euripides

Greek playwright famous for addressing slavery and featuring women and slaves in his stories, with works including 'Iphigenia', 'Hippolytus', and 'Trojan Women'.

Sophocles

Greek playwright who introduced the third actor and taught moral lessons through plays such as 'Oedipus the King', 'Antigone', and 'Ajax'.

Aeschylus

Greek playwright who was the first to introduce a second actor, helping establish drama with works like 'Agamemnon', 'The Persians', and 'Seven Against Thebes'.

Corinthian Order

A style of classical Greek architecture recognized by its elaborate column capitals decorated with acanthus leaf motifs.

Doric Order

The simplest and sturdiest of the classical Greek architectural orders, characterized by fluted columns with plain, unadorned circular capitals.

Ionic Order

A classical Greek architectural order distinguished by column capitals that feature prominent scrolled volutes.

The Frieze

Relief sculptures positioned on Greek buildings directly above the columns, found on both interior and exterior walls to depict mythological stories and scenes.

The Parthenon

The temple in Athens dedicated to Athena whose construction was ordered and directed by Pericles.

Herodotus

Known as the 'Father of History'; one of the first professional historians, who documented firsthand observations of Greece, Egypt, Persia, Mesopotamia, India, and Africa.

Archimedes

Greek astronomer, inventor, and mathematician who discovered the 'Theory of Displacement' and invented the water pump and early pulley systems.

Euclid

Known as the 'father of geometry'; established a mathematics school in Alexandria, Egypt, and wrote the textbook series 'Elements'.

Hippocrates

Greek physician who separated medicine from philosophy, religion, and magic, and whose legacy continues through the Hippocratic Oath.

Ptolemy

Prominent philosopher and writer on astronomy, mathematics, and geography who was among the earliest thinkers to conclude the Earth possessed a curved surface.

Pythagoras

Influential mathematician who advanced the study of geometry and created the Pythagorean Theorem for determining the side lengths of right triangles.

Hypatia

Mathematician, astronomer, writer, and philosopher who expanded the Library of Alexandria and refined scientific instruments such as the astrolabe and hydrometer.