midterm 2 classics 1222

Tragedy

Serious play with human suffering and moral conflict.

Comedy

Humorous play mocking people or society.

Trilogy

Three plays linked by theme or story.

Satyr Play

Comic play with satyrs, performed after tragedies.

Dionysia

Athenian festival for Dionysus with drama contests.

Catharsis

Emotional cleansing felt by the audience.

Chorus

Group commenting on the play’s action.

Messenger Speech

Describes offstage events, often violent.

Deus ex Machina

“God from the machine,” sudden divine resolution.

Fate

Predetermined events beyond human control.

Oracle at Delphi

Temple where Apollo gave prophecies.

Miasma

Religious pollution or curse needing purification.

Scapegoat Ritual

Expelling or killing one to cleanse community sins.

Polis

Greek city-state.

Democracy/Monarchy

Rule by citizens / rule by one ruler.

Liminal places, times

“In-between” spaces or moments (ritual transitions).

Apollo

God of prophecy, music, and order.

Sphinx

Monster of riddles killed by Oedipus.

Hubris

Excessive pride leading to downfall.

Argonauts

Jason’s crew seeking the Golden Fleece.

Thebes

City of Oedipus and Antigone.

Iolcus

ason’s homeland in Thessaly.

Colchis

Medea’s homeland; home of the Golden Fleece.

Corinth

City where Medea lives with Jason.

Apotropaic devices

Objects meant to ward off evil.

Curse tablets

Lead sheets with written curses.

Xenia

Sacred guest-friendship between host and guest.

Cadmus

Founder of Thebes, grandfather of Dionysus.

Zeus

King of the gods.

Semele

Mortal mother of Dionysus.

Agave

Mother of Pentheus; kills him in frenzy.

Ino

Sister of Semele, raised Dionysus.

Bacchantes

Female followers of Dionysus.

Maenads

Frenzied female worshipers of Dionysus.

Athens

Center of Greek democracy and drama.

Sparta

Military city-state, rival of Athens.

Persian Wars

Greek vs. Persian conflicts (490–479 BCE)

Classical Period

Peak of Greek art and drama (5th–4th c. BCE)

Peloponnesian Wars

Athens vs. Sparta war (431–404 BCE)

Battle of Marathon

Greek victory over Persia (490 BCE)

Battle of Thermopylae

Spartans’ heroic stand vs. Persia (480 BCE)

Bacchus/Dionysus

God of wine, ecstasy, and theater