Athenian Society HSC Ancient History Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the social, military, political, economic, and religious aspects of ancient Athenian society derived from lecture notes.

Synoecism

The process by which the separate tribes or communities of Attica gradually integrated into a single polis of Athens over time.

Pentakosiomedimnoi

The highest of the four Solonic classes, valued at $500+$ medimnoi of produce annually and eligible to serve as strategoi.

Hippeis

The second-highest Solonic social class ($300-500$ medimnoi); wealthy enough to afford a horse and equip themselves for the cavalry.

Zeugitai

The third Solonic class ($200-300$ medimnoi); wealthy enough to equip themselves as hoplite infantry (heavy infantry).

Thetes

The lowest citizen class, valued under $199$ medimnoi annually; they served as manual workers, light-armed auxiliaries, or rowers in the navy.

Polis

A Greek city-state; a self-governing population center with its own system of government, culture, language, and religion.

Citizenship Decree (451/450 BCE)

A law passed by Pericles restricting Athenian citizenship to those whose parents on both sides were Athenians.

Hoplite

A well-off citizen-soldier armed primarily with a spear and shield, fighting in a dense formation known as a phalanx.

Trireme

An oar-powered warship with three levels of oarsmen ($170$ rowers), which became the dominant vessel of the Athenian navy.

Strategos

A general or military commander; in Athens, ten were elected annually (one per tribe) and they became the only officials still chosen by election rather than lot.

Phalanx

A military formation of hoplites fighting in ranks eight or more deep, where each soldier's shield partly protected the man to his left.

Panoply

The expensive full set of armor and weapons that a hoplite was required to pay for and maintain.

Thalassocracy

A term meaning 'rule of the sea,' used to describe Athenian naval dominance in the Aegean.

Metic

A resident foreigner living in Athens; they could not vote or hold office but contributed to the city through trade, industry, and military service.

Ekklesia

The Citizens' Assembly, where all adult male citizens could attend and vote on laws, war, and the conduct of public officials.

Pnyx

A large theatre-shaped area west of the Acropolis where the Ekklesia met around $40$ times per year.

Boule

The Council of $500$ (50 men from each of the 10 tribes) that handled daily government business and set the agenda for the Ekklesia.

Bouleuterion

The building in the Agora where the Boule (Council of $500$) met daily.

Heliaia

The supreme court of Athens where large juries ($501+$ members) chosen by lot decided legal cases.

Kleroterion

An allotment machine used to randomly select jurors for the Athenian law courts to ensure equality and prevent corruption.

Radical Democracy

A form of government under Pericles that introduced pay for public service, allowing poor citizens (thetes) to participate in the Ekklesia and courts.

Agora

The central marketplace and public meeting space of Athens, serving as a commercial, political, and social hub.

Stoa

A rectangular building with a front row of columns instead of a wall, providing shaded public space for shops or debate.

Tholos

A circular building in the Agora where the prytaneis (the executive committee of the Boule) met and ate.

Pentekoste

A commercial tax of $2\%$ levied on all cargo entering and leaving the port of Piraeus.

Delian League

A defensive alliance of Greek states led by Athens, which eventually transformed into the Athenian Empire.

Tetradrachm

An Athenian silver coin featuring the owl of Athena, functioning as a dominant currency across the Aegean.

Panathenaia

A major annual festival (with a 'Great' version every four years) celebrating Athena, featuring athletic events, music, and a grand procession.

Peplos

A traditional dress woven by the people and presented to the statue of Athena during the Panathenaic festival.

Thesmophoria

A three-day festival for Demeter and Persephone open only to married women, aimed at promoting fertility and agriculture.

Prothesis

The first stage of Athenian funerary customs, involving the washing, anointing, and laying out of the body for mourning.

Ekphora

The funeral procession from the home to the place of burial or cremation, usually held at night.

Dexiosis

A common motif on grave stelae showing two figures shaking hands, symbolizing a permanent family bond and a final farewell.

Symposium

A traditional male drinking party featuring musical entertainment, philosophical debate, and leisure.

Sophists

Intellectuals and teachers who taught 'wisdom,' specializing in the art of debate, rhetoric, and inquiry into ethics.