Ancient Greece: Key Terms, Architecture, and Historical Highlights

Darius

A king of Persia who ruled from 522 to 486 BC and is known for his administrative reforms and the expansion of the Persian Empire.

Xerxes

The son of Darius, he was the king of Persia from 486 to 465 BC, famous for his invasion of Greece during the Greco-Persian Wars.

Triremes

Ancient Greek warships that were powered by three rows of oars and were known for their speed and agility in naval battles.

Hellespont

A narrow strait in northwestern Turkey that connects the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara, significant in ancient trade and military campaigns.

Persian Empire

An ancient empire that was founded by Cyrus the Great and became one of the largest empires in history, known for its cultural diversity and administrative efficiency.

Acropolis

A citadel or fortified part of an ancient Greek city, typically built on a hill, with the most famous being the Acropolis of Athens.

Drama: comedy and tragedy

Genres of ancient Greek theater, with comedy focusing on humor and satire, while tragedy deals with serious themes and often ends in disaster.

Mythology

A collection of myths, especially those belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition, that explain natural phenomena, human behavior, and the origins of the world.

Parthenon

A former temple on the Acropolis of Athens dedicated to the goddess Athena, symbolizing the glory of ancient Greece and its architectural achievements.

Pericles

An influential statesman and general during Athens' Golden Age, known for his role in developing democracy and expanding the Athenian empire.

Socrates

An ancient Greek philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, known for his Socratic method of questioning.

Plato

A student of Socrates and a philosopher who founded the Academy in Athens, known for his works on ethics, politics, and metaphysics.

Aristotle

A student of Plato and a philosopher who made significant contributions to many fields, including logic, metaphysics, ethics, and natural sciences.

Panathenaic Games

A religious festival in ancient Athens that included athletic competitions, held in honor of the goddess Athena.

Olympics

Ancient athletic competitions held every four years in Olympia, Greece, honoring Zeus and featuring various sports and events.

Doric columns

The simplest of the classical orders of ancient Greek architecture, characterized by sturdy, fluted columns with a plain capital.

Ionic columns

A classical order of ancient Greek architecture known for its slender, fluted columns and scroll-like capitals.

Corinthian columns

The most ornate of the classical orders, featuring a slender fluted column and an elaborate capital decorated with acanthus leaves.

Pediment

The triangular upper part of a building's front, often decorated with sculptures and reliefs in classical architecture.

Frieze

A decorative band that runs along the upper part of a wall, often featuring relief sculptures or paintings in classical architecture.

Metope

The plain or decorated panel between the triglyphs of a Doric frieze, often used for relief sculptures in ancient Greek temples.