Ancient Greece

Knossos

Ancient Minoan city on the island of Crete.

Fresco

Colorful painting completed on wet plaster, used by the ancient Minoans.

Homer

ancient Greek epic poet who is believed to have written the Iliad and the Odyssey (circa 850 BC)

Polis

Greek city-state

Monarchy

A government ruled by a king or queen

Oligarchy

a system of government in which a small group holds power

Democracy

Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representative

Representative democracy

is a form of government founded on the principle of elected individuals representing the people

Direct democracy

in which people decide (e.g. vote on, form consensus on) policy initiatives directly

Minoans

civilization that arose on the island of Crete and flourished from approximately 2700 to 1450 BC. Often refered to "the first link in the European chain"

Myceneans

civilization that arose on the Peloponnese, Southern Greece and flourished from approximately 1600 to 1100BC.

Minotaur

In Greek mythology, the Minotaur was a creature with the head of a bull on the body of a man. He was at the center of the Labyrinth, which was an elaborate maze-like construction. The Minotaur was eventually killed by the Athenian hero Theseus

Labyrinth

In Greek mythology, Labyrinth was possibly the building complex at Knossos which is an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos. Its function was to hold the Minotaur, a mythical creature that was half man and half bull and was eventually killed by the Athenian hero Theseus

Egalitarian

of, relating to, or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.

Hierarchical

of the nature of a hierarchy; arranged in order of rank

Acropolis

a citadel or fortified part of an ancient Greek city, typically built on a hill. The ancient citadel at Athens, containing the Parthenon and other notable buildings, mostly dating from the 5th century BC.