Classical Culture: Greece and Rome

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering classical legacy, Greek and Roman geography, historical periods from prehistory through antiquity, the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, and the Persian Wars.

Clásico

A term referring to that which is ancient ("antiguo") or repeated ("repetido").

Greek Legacy (Legado Griego)

The classical heritage from the Greeks consisting of myths (immaterial), science (immaterial), philosophy (immaterial), and art (material).

Roman Legacy (Legado Romano)

The classical heritage from the Romans consisting of constructions (material), law / "derecho" (immaterial), and language (immaterial).

Medieval Survival of Classical Culture (Oriente)

The preservation of classical culture in the East during the Middle Ages (V-XV) through the Byzantine Empire until 1453.

Medieval Survival of Classical Culture (Occidente)

The preservation of classical culture in the West during the Middle Ages (V-XV) carried out by monks copying manuscripts.

Renacimiento (XV-XVI)

Historical period marked by the revival of classical culture, the invention of the printing press ("invención de la imprenta"), art, and literature.

Neoclasicismo (XVIII-XIX)

Cultural movement based on Greco-Roman models, stimulated by archaeological discoveries in Pompeya, Micenas, or Troya.

Arqueología

The discipline that studies classical culture by analyzing material remains ("restos materiales").

Historiografía

The discipline dedicated to studying historical events ("hechos históricos").

Filólogos

Scholars responsible for studying classical texts ("textos clásicos").

Pueblos Indoeuropeos (2000 a.C.)

Indo-European peoples who emerged around 2000 a.C. during the origins of Greece and Rome.

Grecia Continental

Continental region of Greece comprising areas such as Macedonia and Ática (Atenas).

Peloponeso

Peninsular Greek region connected by the Istmo Corinto, home to Micenas and Laconia (Esparta).

Grecia Insular

Island territories of Greece comprising the Islas del Egeo, Creta, and the Islas Jónicas (including Cefalonia and Ítaca).

Geographic Characteristics of Greece

A mountainous territory that favored isolation, poor in agricultural cultivation (which fostered great sailors), and closely linked to the sea.

Mountains of Greece

Key Greek peaks listed in the notes: Olimpo, Citerón, Parnaso, and Helicón.

Seas of Greece

The surrounding bodies of water: Mar Jónico, Mar Egeo, and Mar Mediterráneo.

Peoples of Roman Geography

The early peoples of the Italian peninsula: Ítalos, Etruscos, Latinos, and Griegos (in Magna Grecia).

Seas of Roman Geography

The bodies of water surrounding ancient Italy: Mar Tirreno, Mar Jónico, Mar Adriático, and Mar Mediterráneo.

Edad Oscura (1200 - 776 a.C.)

Period in Greek history characterized by the disappearance of writing ("desaparición de la escritura").

Época Arcaica (776 a.C. - 500 a.C.)

Historical period of ancient Greece marked by the development and rise of the polis.

Época Helenística (323 a.C. - 31 a.C.)

Period following the death of Alejandro Magno defined by the division of Greek kingdoms.

Civilización Minoica (1800 - 1600)

Civilization originated in Creta, ruled by King Minos as a thalassocracy, featuring labyrinthine palaces, Lineal A syllabic script, and a matriarchy.

Talasocracia

A maritime empire ("imperio marítimo"), characterizing the political rule of the Minoan civilization.

Lineal A

The syllabic writing system developed by the Minoan civilization.

Isla Tera

The island where an earthquake occurred that caused the disappearance of the Minoan civilization.

Minotauro

Mythological offspring of Pasífae and a bull who was half bull and half human ("mitad toro, mitad humano").

Dédalo

The inventor associated with the myth of King Minos and the Minotaur.

Egeo

King of Atenas whose death in mythology explains the origin of the name of the Mar Egeo.

Civilización Micénica (1.600 - 1.200 a.C.)

Civilization developed in Micenas under Minoan influence, known for the Trojan War, the mask of Agamenón, and early Greek colonizations.

Lineal B

The syllabic writing system utilized by the Mycenaean civilization.

Invasión Dórica

An invasion by an Indo-European northern people that, combined with natural phenomena, destroyed Mycenaean civilization.

Época Clásica (500 a.C. - 323 a.C.)

Period of great cultural splendor led by figures like Pericles and Alejandro Magno, marked by democratic politics and monumental art.

Democracia (Atenas)

Political system developed in Classical Athens defined as "poder del pueblo" (power of the people), associated with Pericles.

Partenón

A monumental temple dedicated to Atenea, the patron deity of Atenas.

Guerras Médicas

War between the Medes/Persians ("medos (persas)") and Greeks after the Persian Empire pushed into Asia Menor and the Balkan Peninsula.

Hemeródromo

A specialized messenger ("mensajero"), such as Filipides during the Persian Wars.

Batalla de Maratón

Battle where the Athenians defeated the Persians; Filipides ran from Maratón to Atenas to announce their victory.

Batalla de las Termópilas

Clash where Greeks defended the defile of Termópilas until Spartans stayed behind to buy time and were slain following a betrayal.

Efialtes

The figure who betrayed the Greeks at the Battle of las Termópilas by revealing crucial information to the Persians.

Jerjes

King of the Persians ("Rey persas") who led the forces at the Battle of las Termópilas.

Leónidas

King of Esparta ("Rey de Esparta") who commanded the Spartan defense at the Battle of las Termópilas.