Classics

Chiefdom

Pre-state society ruled by a hereditary leader over multiple communities.

Polis

Independent Greek city-state with political autonomy.

Hoplite

Heavily armed Greek infantryman fighting in phalanx formation.

Isonomia

Equality under the law in Greek political thought.

Ahura Mazda

Supreme god of Zoroastrianism representing truth and order.

Achaemenid

Persian ruling dynasty founded by Cyrus the Great.

Cyrus the Great

Founder of the Persian Empire known for tolerance.

Darius I

Persian king who reorganized the empire administratively.

Xerxes

Persian king who invaded Greece in 480 BC.

Delian League

Athenian-led alliance against Persia.

Athenian Empire

Athens' transformation of the Delian League into an empire.

Peloponnesian League

Spartan-led alliance opposing Athens.

Hegemony

Dominance of one state over others.

Common Peace

Peace settlement meant to apply equally to all poleis.

King's Peace

Persian-imposed peace guaranteeing Persian control in Asia Minor.

Second Athenian League

Defensive alliance led by Athens without formal empire.

Republic of North Macedonia

Modern state in ancient Macedon's territory.

Argead clan

Macedonian royal dynasty claiming descent from Heracles.

Heracles

Greek hero and divine ancestor of Macedonian kings.

Achilles

Homeric hero admired by Alexander.

Thucydides

Historian of the Peloponnesian War using critical analysis.

Philip II

King who unified Greece and reformed the army.

Iliad

Epic poem describing the Trojan War.

Macedonian phalanx

Infantry formation using long sarissas.

Hetairoi

Elite Companion Cavalry loyal to Alexander.

Basilikoi paides

Noble youths serving as royal pages and hostages.

Sarissa

Long Macedonian pike.

Pezhetairoi

Core Macedonian infantry ('Foot Companions').

Hypaspists

Elite infantry guarding phalanx flanks.

Olympias

Alexander's politically powerful mother.

Peace of Philocrates

Treaty recognizing Philip's dominance.

Aristotle

Philosopher and tutor of Alexander.

Bucephalas

Alexander's war horse.

Chaeronea (338 BC)

Macedonian victory securing Greek submission.

League of Corinth

Greek federation under Macedonian leadership.

Papyrus roll

Ancient scroll writing medium.

Parchment

Durable animal-skin writing material.

Codex

Early bound-page book format.

Quellenkritik

Critical evaluation of sources.

Quellenforschung

Study of source origins and transmission.

Callisthenes

Court historian executed after opposing Alexander.

Ptolemy I Soter

General who became ruler of Egypt.

Aristobulus

Favorable eyewitness historian.

Chares

Court official recording palace life.

Nearchus

Admiral and voyage historian.

Cleitarchus

Sensational historian of the Vulgate tradition.

Diodorus Siculus

Author of Library of History.

Pompeius Trogus

Roman universal historian.

Justin

Abridger of Trogus' work.

Curtius Rufus

Dramatic Roman historian of Alexander.

Arrian

Most reliable historian, based on Ptolemy and Aristobulus.

Plutarch

Biographer focused on character.

Vulgate tradition

Dramatic, popular Alexander narrative.

Parmenion

Senior Macedonian general.

Attalus

Macedonian noble linked to Philip's assassination tensions.

Pausanias of Orestis

Assassin of Philip II.

Panhellenism

Greek unity against Persia.

Trojan War

Mythic war central to Greek identity.

Protesilaus

First Greek to die at Troy.

Agrianians

Elite light infantry.

Prodromoi

Light scouting cavalry.

Companion Cavalry

Elite heavy cavalry under Alexander.

Ilae

Cavalry squadrons.

Taxeis

Phalanx infantry divisions.

Granicus

First major victory over Persians (334 BC).

Issus

Victory over Darius III (333 BC).

Oracle of Siwa

Declared Alexander son of Zeus-Ammon.

Siege of Tyre

Seven-month siege of Phoenician city.

Gaugamela

Decisive defeat of Persian Empire.

Charismatic authority

Rule based on personal magnetism.

Combined arms

Coordinated use of multiple troop types.

Bessus

Betrayer of Darius III.

Babylon

Administrative center and Alexander's death site.

Susa

Persian capital and wedding site.

Persepolis

Ceremonial capital burned by Alexander.

Ecbatana

Treasury city.

Agis III

Spartan rebel king.

Philotas

Executed Companion Cavalry commander.

Somatophylakes

Royal bodyguards.

Sogdian Rock

Mountain fortress captured by ingenuity.

Roxane

Bactrian wife of Alexander.

Proskynesis

Persian act of obeisance.

Pothos

Alexander's restless heroic longing.

Rock of Aornus

Fortress linked to Heracles.

Dionysus

God Alexander sought to rival.

Gymnosophistae

Indian ascetic philosophers.

Porus

Indian king defeated at Hydaspes.

Hydaspes

Battle using tactical innovation (326 BC).

Hyphasis Mutiny

Army refuses further eastward march.

Gedrosian Desert

Catastrophic return route.

Susa Weddings

Cultural fusion ceremony.

Opis Mutiny

Troops protest Persian integration.

Hephaestion

Alexander's closest companion.

Harpalus

Corrupt treasurer who fled.

Exiles' Decree

Order restoring Greek exiles.

Lamian War

Greek revolt after Alexander's death.

Diadochi

Successors who fought over empire.

Hellenistic Age

Spread of Greek culture post-Alexander.

Alexander Romance

Legendary fictional tradition.

Philip III

Mentally impaired successor.