Greek Literature

Ancient Greece

Birthplace of Western civilization and democracy.

Trojan War

Legendary conflict between Greek states and Troy.

Iliad

Epic poem by Homer about the Trojan War.

Athens

City-state known as the cradle of democracy.

Sparta

Military-focused city-state and rival of Athens.

Mount Olympus

Mythical home of the Greek gods.

City-States

Independent regions centered around a single city.

Mycenaeans

Early Greek warriors and traders from Mycenae.

Dorians

People who invaded and collapsed Mycenaean civilization.

Homer

Epic poet known for the Iliad and Odyssey.

The Iliad

Homer's epic about Greek heroes in the Trojan War.

The Odyssey

Homer's epic detailing Odysseus's journey home.

Persian Wars

Conflicts between Greek city-states and Persia.

Peloponnesian War

27-year war between Athens and Sparta.

Philip II of Macedonia

King who conquered Greece in 338 B.C.

Alexander the Great

Conqueror who united Greece and parts of Asia.

Hellenistic Culture

Blend of Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and Indian influences.

Aeschylus

Playwright who depicted Greek victories over Persians.

Sophocles

Dramatist known for exploring fate in Oedipus.

Oedipus the King

Sophocles' play about power and fate.

Democracy

System of government initiated in Athens.

Cultural Center

Athens as a hub for arts and philosophy.

Heroic Age

Period of Mycenaean dominance, 2000-1200 B.C.

Decline of Mycenaeans

Collapse of civilization around 1200 B.C.

Growth of City-States

Development of independent city-states, 800-500 B.C.

Thucydides

Greek historian who documented the Peloponnesian War.

Aristocrat

Member of the ruling class in Athens.

Sparta's Governance

Led by two kings and a council of elders.

Native Spartans

Only group with full citizenship rights in Sparta.

Commoners

Non-citizens in Athens, including farmers and merchants.

Helots

State-owned serfs in Sparta, outnumbering Spartans significantly.

Military Service

Central to Spartan life, starting at age 7.

Athenian Navy

Dominated Greek waters during Athens' peak.

Olympian Gods

12 deities worshipped in ancient Greek religion.

Lyric Poetry

Personal and emotional poetry emerging in the 600s B.C.

Tragedy

Serious drama depicting a tragic hero's downfall.

Comedy

Dramatic form satirizing customs and politics.

Euripides

Famous for his tragedies, focusing on human emotions.

Aristophanes

Comedic playwright known for satirical works.

Odyssey

Homer's epic detailing Odysseus' journey home.

Sappho

Lyric poet known for personal themes of love.

Myths

Traditional stories explaining the actions of gods.