Ancient Greece Final Terms

Obol

A small silver coin used in ancient Greece, equivalent to one-sixth of a drachma, also served as a fee for the dead to cross the river Styx in Greek mythology.

Pericles

A prominent Athenian statesman and general during the city's Golden Age, known for advancing democracy and commissioning the construction of the Parthenon.

Peloponnesian League

A military alliance led by Sparta, comprising various city-states in the Peloponnesus, formed to counter Athenian influence.

Cleon

An Athenian general and politician known for his aggressive stance during the Peloponnesian War and for being a key figure in the Mytilenean Debate.

Mytilenean Debate

A significant discussion in the Athenian assembly over the punishment of the city of Mytilene after its rebellion during the Peloponnesian War.

Plataea

A city-state allied with Athens, famous for the decisive Battle of Plataea (479 BCE) in the Persian Wars.

Stasis

A term referring to civil strife or political discord within a Greek polis, often leading to internal conflict or revolution.

Sphacteria

An island where a major battle occurred during the Peloponnesian War, resulting in a rare Spartan surrender.

Melian Dialogue

A passage in Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War highlighting the power dynamics between Athens and the neutral island of Melos, emphasizing 'might makes right.'

Nicias

An Athenian general and statesman known for his role in the Peace of Nicias and the disastrous Sicilian Expedition.

Alcibiades

A controversial Athenian general and politician known for his shifting allegiances during the Peloponnesian War.

Aspasia

A highly educated woman and companion of Pericles, influential in Athenian society and thought to have contributed to his policies and intellectual circles.

Ekklesia

The principal assembly of Athenian democracy, where male citizens gathered to make decisions on public policy and legislation.

Epikleros

A daughter without brothers who was legally required to marry her closest male relative to preserve her father's estate.

Thesmophoria

A festival celebrated by women in honor of Demeter and Persephone, associated with fertility and agricultural abundance.

Andron

The men's quarters in a Greek household, often used for symposia (drinking parties).

Komos

A lively, often drunken procession associated with celebrations and festivals, particularly those honoring Dionysus.

Erechtheum

A temple on the Acropolis dedicated to Athena and Poseidon, known for its Caryatid Porch.

Anankê

The concept of necessity or fate, often depicted as an unavoidable force in Greek mythology and philosophy.

Tychê

The personification of chance or fortune, representing the unpredictable nature of life.

Hysteria

An ancient medical concept linked to the belief in a 'wandering womb,' used to explain certain psychological or physical conditions in women.

Fumigation

The use of smoke or aromatic substances in religious rituals or medicinal practices for purification or healing.

Anatomical Votive

Offerings in the shape of body parts dedicated at sanctuaries to seek divine healing for ailments.

Elenchos

Socratic questioning or refutation, a method used in philosophy to test and clarify ideas through dialogue.

To Kalon/To Agathon

Philosophical terms denoting 'the beautiful' and 'the good,' central to discussions of ethics and aesthetics in ancient Greece.

Nike Parapet

The decorative balustrade of the Temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis, adorned with reliefs of winged victory figures.

Nike of Paionios

A renowned statue of the goddess Nike, symbolizing victory, erected to commemorate military successes.

Praxiteles

A celebrated Greek sculptor known for creating lifelike and graceful statues, including the Aphrodite of Cnidus.

Aphrodite of Cnidus

A groundbreaking statue by Praxiteles, famous for its depiction of the goddess as both divine and humanly sensual.

Lysippos

A prominent sculptor of the Late Classical period, known for his realistic and dynamic representations of the human figure.

Corinthian Order

An elaborate architectural style characterized by ornate capitals with acanthus leaves.

Tholos

A circular structure, often a temple or a burial monument, exemplified by the Tholos at Delphi.

Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

A monumental tomb built for Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Sarissa

A long spear used by Macedonian phalanxes, key to the military success of Philip II and Alexander the Great.

Sacred Band of Thebes

An elite military unit composed of pairs of male lovers, celebrated for their bravery and cohesion in battle.

Anastole

A hairstyle featuring a raised front curl, associated with depictions of Alexander the Great.

Herm (pl. Hermai)

Stone pillars featuring a bust and male genitals, serving as boundary markers and symbols of protection.

Spindle Whorl

A small tool used in spinning fibers into thread, essential for textile production.

Loom

A device for weaving fabric, central to household and economic life in ancient Greece.

Pinax

A painted or inscribed plaque used as a votive offering or decorative object.

Dinos

A large, rounded bowl used for mixing wine with water during symposia.

Dikasteria

The judicial courts of Athens, staffed by large juries selected by lot.

Pinakion

A small wooden or bronze tablet inscribed with a citizen's name, used for jury selection in Athens.

Kleroterion

A device used for randomizing the selection of jurors in Athenian democracy.

Klepsydra

A water clock used to measure time, particularly during speeches in court.

Hemlock

A poisonous plant famously used to execute Socrates after his trial.

Aristophanes

A playwright of ancient Greece known for his satirical comedies, such as Lysistrata and The Clouds.

Satyr

Mythical creatures associated with Dionysus, often depicted in plays and art as mischievous and hedonistic.

Aretê

The Greek ideal of excellence, encompassing virtue, bravery, and the fulfillment of one's potential.