Ancient Greece Final Terms

Obol: A small silver coin used in ancient Greece, equivalent to one-sixth of a drachma. It 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. 4th cen. BCE

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. A slab of stone with incised with rows of slots

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.