Ancient Greece

direct democracy

government where citizens vote on all laws. Athens was a democracy; only men allowed to vote

city-state

a city and its surrounding lands functioning as an independent political unit

Plato

One of the great Greek philosophers, believed in rule by small group of wise men, NOT democracy

Olympics

began in Olympia, Greece, as athletic contests to honor Zeus 3500 years ago.

Athens

first city-state to have democracy, known for its wealth, arts, love of learning

Sparta

city-state strictly ruled by military force, known for its strength and military

Pericles

leader of the Athenian government from about 460 to 429 BC; encouraged democracy in other parts of Greece, was good to the poor, had the Parthenon built

Socrates

Greek philosopher taught people to ask questions, a method now called the Socratic method

Greek columns

examples of Greek architecture - Doric (plain), Ionic (curls), Corinthian (leaves)

Golden Age of Greece

Time of peace in Athens. Artists created statues, monuments, and great temples. such as the Parthenon.

mythology

stories about gods and heroes that try to explain how the world works

Homer

Greek poet who wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey - stories of the heroes of the Trojan war

acropolis

A fortified hilltop in an ancient Greek city

agora

a marketplace in ancient Greece, commonly used as a meeting place

oligarchy

a government in which only a few people have power - Sparta had this type of government

polis

greek word for city-state

Parthenon

Temple to Athena in Athens

monarchy

A government in which power is in the hands of a single person

tyranny

A form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator

Mount Olympus

the highest mountain in Greece, where the ancient Greeks believed many of their gods and goddesses lived