chapter 4 botten vocabulary

sauk rapids rice high school mr. botten world history chapter 4 vocabulary words

epic poem

epic poem

a long poem that tells the deeds of a great hero, such as the Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer

arete

in early Greece, the qualities of excellence that a hero strives to win in a struggle or contest

isolate

to separate from others

polis

the early greek city-state consisting of a city or town and its surrounding countryside.

acropolis

in early Greek city-states, a fortified gathering place at the top of a hill that was sometimes the site of temples and public buildings

agora

in early greek city-states, an open area that served as a gathering place and as a market

tyrant

a ruler who seized power by force from the aristocrats, gained support from the newly rich and the poor, and maintained power by using hired soldiers and fighting tactics

oligarchy

"the rule of the few"; a form of government in which a select group of people exercises control

democracy

"the rule of many"; government by the people, either directly or through their elected representatives

helot

in ancient sparta, a captive person who was forced to work for the conqueror.

ephor

one of the five men elected each year in ancient Sparta who were responsible for the education of youth and the conduct of all citizens

age of pericles

the period between 461 B.C. and 429 B.C. when Pericles dominated Athenian politics and Athens reached the height of its power

ostracism

in ancient Athens, the process for temporarily banning ambitious politicians from the city by popular vote

oracle

in ancient Greece, a sacred shrine where a god or goddess was said to reveal the future through a priest or priestess

tragedy

a form of drama that portrays a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force and having a protagonist who is brought to ruin or extreme sorrow, especially as a result of a fatal flaw.

philosophy

An organized system of thought, from the Greek for "love of wisdom"

socratic method

the method of teaching used by the Greek philosopher Socrates; it employs a question-and-answer format to lead pupils to see things for themselves by using their own reason

ethics

moral principles; generally recognized rules of conduct.

Epicureanism

school of thought developed by the philosopher Epicurus in Hellenistic Athens; it held that happiness is the chief goal in life, and the means to achieve happiness was the pursuit of pleasure

stoicism

the school of thought developed by the teacher Zeno in Hellenistic Athens; it says that happiness can be achieved only when people gain inner peace by living in harmony with the will of God and that people should bear whatever life offers