The Classics of the Ancient World

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on Ancient Palestine, Hebrew Scriptures, Roman and Greek literature, and related topics.

Ancient Palestine

Located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean between Egypt and Syria; Holy Land; site of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

Hebrew Scriptures

Sacred writings of Ancient Israel (Old Testament); also called Sacred Scriptures or the Bible; includes history, poetry, and prophecy.

Bible

For Christians, the Word of God; a collection of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the New Testament about Jesus’ life and teachings.

Psalms (Psalter)

A collection of 150 sacred psalms; religious songs, verses, or prayers; 73 psalms are attributed to David.

David

King of Israel; slayer of Goliath; father of Solomon; attributed author of 73 of the 150 Psalms.

Tarentum

Ancient Greek city in southern Italy; birthplace of Livius Andronicus.

Livius Andronicus

First known Latin playwright (circa 240 B.C.); Greek from Tarentum; enslaved, later freed; taught Greek and Latin, wrote Latin plays, influenced Latin literature.

Latin literature

Literature written in Latin; initially imitations of Greek works and myth (e.g., Homeric material) as Romans adopted Greek literary models.

Iliad

Epic poem by Homer; foundational Greek epic about the Trojan War.

Odyssey

Epic poem by Homer; follows Odysseus’ long voyage home after the Trojan War.

Augustus

First Roman emperor; his reign marks the Golden Age of Roman literature.

Golden Age of Roman Literature

Flourishing period of Roman literary production under Augustus and the early Empire.

Catullus

Roman poet of the late Republic; celebrated for lyric poetry and personal style; among the distinctive voices of later Latin poetry.

Terence

Roman playwright known for comedies; one of the notable late-Republic writers; often cited alongside Catullus, Cicero, and Plautus.

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Roman orator, philosopher, and writer; influential prose and political writings in the late Republic.

Plautus

Prolific Roman comic playwright; adapted Greek comedy for Latin audiences; helped shape early Roman theatre.

Ancient Greek Literature

Literature of ancient Greece; develops in four periods (Classical, Hellenistic, Greco-Roman, Byzantine) and includes theatre, poetry, philosophy.

Classical Greek Literature

Classical period (c. 900–323 B.C.); birth of original works and development of major genres; community-centered authorship.

Hellenistic Greek Literature

Hellenistic period (323–146 B.C.); cosmopolitan, aimed at entertainment and scientific instruction; less ‘fresh’ than classical.

Greco-Roman literature

Greco-Roman period (146 B.C.–395 A.D.); Rome’s conquest of Greece revived classical forms and bridged to Christian literature.

Byzantine Literature

Byzantine period (395–1453 A.D.); Constantinople as capital; center of Orthodox Christianity; religious poetry prominent.

Athens democracy

First democracy in Athens; Assembly of about 500 citizens over 18; slaves, women, and non-citizens could not own property, vote, or testify.

Ancient Greek theaters

Notable theater venues in Greece, including Epidauros, Dionysos Theatro, and Theatro Greco de Siracus.