Ancient Greece and Rome: Myth, Culture, and History

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key periods, figures, festivals, and architectural sites from Ancient Greek and Roman history and mythology based on lecture notes.

Palace of Knossos

A central structure of the Minoan civilization located on the island of Crete, associated with the mythological Labyrinth.

Hesiod

An early Greek poet associated with works such as the Theogony, Works and Days, and narratives concerning Cosmogony.

Hekatomb

A large-scale sacrificial ritual mentioned in the context of General Greek tradition.

First Triumvirate

An informal political alliance in the late Roman Republic involving three powerful leaders.

penates

Specific categories of Roman deities who served as protectors of the household and the state.

Augustan Building Programme

A monumental construction initiative under Augustus that included the Campus Martius and the Forum Romanum.

Temple of Venus

The specific temple located within the Forum of Julius Caesar.

Temple of Mars Ultor

The key temple located within the Forum of Augustus.

Battle of Actium

A decisive naval engagement involving Mark Antony and Cleopatra during the transition to the Roman Empire.

mos maiorum

A Latin term referring to the cultural norms and 'ways of the ancestors' in Roman society.

Reception Theory

A field of study within mythological reception that examines how traditions are interpreted and adopted over time.

Epithet

A descriptive term or title used in mythology to accompany or substitute for the name of a deity or hero.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

The funerary inscription and autobiographical account of the deeds of Augustus.

Gorgoneion

The protective representation of a Gorgon's head, frequently associated with Athena/Minerva.

Potnia Theron

A title or term meaning 'Mistress of beasts/animals.'

Orphics

A religious group or mystery cult centered on the teachings and figure of Orpheus.

Maenad

A female follower of Dionysus/Bacchus who participates in the Dionysian Festival.

Sparagmos

The ritual act of tearing apart a victim, associated with the worship of Dionysus.

Eleusinian Mysteries

A specific mystery cult and series of sacred rites associated with the goddess Demeter.

Thesmophoria

An ancient festival celebrated in honor of the goddess Demeter.

Ara Maxima

The 'Greatest Altar' dedicated to Herakles located in the Forum Boarium.

Plynteria

A festival and cleaning ritual associated with the goddess Athena/Minerva.

Greater Panathenaea

The major Panathenaic Festival held in Athens in honor of the goddess Athena.

Hekatomphonia sacrifice

A specific ritual sacrifice mentioned in relation to the god Ares/Mars.

cosmogony

story of the origin of the universe

iliad

trogan war (achilles anger)

works and days

farming advice + moral lessons

odyssey

odysseus journey home

roman republic

senate, elected officials

Roman Empire

rule by emperors sec

second triumvirate

Octavian (Augustus), Mark Antony, lepidus

punic wars

rome vs carthate (hannibal) → rome dominates mediterranean

battle of actium

octavian defeats antony + cleopatra → becomes augustus

campus martius

public space with monuments

forum romanum

political/religious center

Reception

how later cultures reinterpret myth

Athena

wisdom, warfare strategy

Ares/Mars

War (violent, chaotic)

Zeus

King of gods

Apollo

Sun, music, prophecy

Artemis/Diana

Hunt, wilderness

demeter/ ceres

Agriculture

Dionysus/bacchus

wine, ecstasy

Circe

Sorceress who transforms men

hercules

Hero known for strength

Labrynth

Maze at Knossos

12 labors

Tasks like killing the nemean lion, hydra, capturing Cerberus. symbolizes strength and redemption

Forum Boarium

Area in rome tied to hercules

Athena vs poseidon (athena wins)

Contest for Athens

Bronze Age

Early advanced civilization in Greece

Minoan

Peaceful, sea trading culture, centered at Palace of Knossos

Mycenaean

War- focused, strongholds like Mycenae, associated with Trojan War

Dark Age

Collapse of Mycenean Society, loss of writing

Archaic period

rise of city states, colonization, homeric epics written down

Hellenistic Period

After alexander, greek culture spreads widely