western Civ I readings Pages 78–87

Polis

A city-state in ancient Greece that formed the foundation of Greek politics, culture, and identity.

Xenia

The sacred obligation of guest-friendship in Greek culture, serving as a social glue.

Hoplite Phalanx

A military formation of citizen-soldiers in ancient Greece that transformed warfare and increased political participation.

Panhellenism

The shared cultural identity and unity among Greek city-states, distinguishing them from non-Greek 'barbarians'.

Mycenaean Civilization

An ancient civilization in Greece that collapsed around 1100 B.C.E., leading to the emergence of the polis.

Arete

A Greek term meaning 'excellence' or 'virtue,' often associated with the ideals celebrated in Homeric epics.

Aristocracy

A form of government in which power is held by the nobility or elite class, often emphasizing masculinity and luxury.

Tyranny

A period in ancient Greek history when power was seized by a ruler or tyrant, often temporarily.

Democracy

A system of government in which citizens participate directly in decision-making; notably developed in Athens.

Homer’s Epics

Iliad and Odyssey, which preserved heroic values and shaped Greek identity and social concepts.