Pre-AP World History | Greek Civilization

Indirect Democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to create and enforce laws on their behalf, ensuring accountability to the electorate.

Direct Democracy

A governance model where citizens directly vote on laws and policies, eliminating the need for elected representatives.

Alexander the Great

Macedonian king (336-323 BCE) renowned for conquering Persia and extending his empire into India, laying the groundwork for the Hellenistic era.

Hellenism

Cultural and intellectual movement influenced by ancient Greek ideals, emphasizing reason, knowledge, the arts, civic duty, and physical fitness.

Pax Romana

A 200-year period of peace and stability across the Roman Empire marked by significant territorial expansion and relative internal tranquility.

Satrap

Provincial governor in ancient Persian and some Hellenistic empires, responsible for local administration and tax collection.

Matriarchal

A social system where women hold primary power and authority.

Twelve Tables

The foundational legal code of ancient Rome, established in 451-450 BCE, ensuring public access to laws and equal treatment under them.

Filial Piety

The Confucian virtue of respecting and honoring one’s parents and ancestors.

Plebeian

Common free citizens of ancient Rome, distinguished from the elite patricians.

Patrician

Wealthy, land-owning families in ancient Rome who held political, religious, and military power.

Assertion

The act of confidently stating or defending a proposition.

Bias

A perspective or inclination that influences interpretation of historical events or figures.

Contentious

Tending to provoke disagreement or controversy.

Conduit

A channel for conveying fluids, similar to an aqueduct.

Constituent

An essential part of something; also refers to individuals authorized to elect representatives.

Decentralized

The distribution of authority and functions away from a central authority.

Dearth

A situation characterized by a scarcity of food or resources.

Depict

To represent or illustrate through visual means.

Derive

To obtain or originate from a specific source.

Detract

To reduce the worth or value of something.

Digress

To deviate from the main topic in discussion or writing.