Ancient Greece Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on pages 3–15.

Mythology

A body of stories about gods, heroes, and monsters that explain how the world works.

Acropolis

An elevated fortress built at the center of Greek city-states.

Tragedy

A play about a serious topic, such as death or suffering.

Comedy

A light-hearted or amusing play with a happy ending.

Columns

The most recognizable feature of Greek architecture; straight pillars used to support the weight of the building and create a grand entrance.

Fresco

Wall painting applied to plaster when it is wet.

Oligarchy

A government in which a few powerful individuals rule.

Oracle

A sacred place where Ancient Greeks could ask their gods, through a priestess, to give them advice or foretell their future.

Philosopher

A person who studies and thinks about why the world is the way it is.

City-state

A central city and its surrounding villages, which together follow the same laws, have one form of government, and share the same language, religious beliefs, and ways of life.

Agora

Central area in Greek cities used as a market and meeting place.

Polytheism

Belief in many gods.

Helot

A member of a class of serfs in Ancient Sparta, intermediate in status between slaves and citizens.

Spartiates

The highest class in Spartan society.

Barbarian

A wild and uncivilized person.

Assassinate

To murder for political reasons.

Citizen

A legal member of a country.

Monarchy

A country ruled by a king or queen.

Democracy

A government that receives its power from the people.

Legislature

A law-making body of a country made up of citizens.

Alexander the Great

King of Macedonia, conqueror of Persia and Egypt, and invader of India.

Tyrant

A ruler who takes power by force.

Peninsula

An area of land almost completely surrounded by water and connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land.

Tribute

A regular payment made to a powerful state or nation by a weaker one.

Athens

A city-state in Ancient Greece, and the capital of modern Greece.

Slavery

The condition of being owned by, and forced to work for, someone else.