Ancient Greece Final

  • Aegospotami: A naval battle in 405 BC during the Peloponnesian War where Sparta defeated Athens, ending the war.

  • Alcmaeonid Genus: A powerful aristocratic family in Athens known for their political influence.

  • Alexander the Great: Macedonian king (356–323 BC) who created one of the largest empires in history, spreading Greek culture.

  • Alphabet: The Greek writing system adopted from the Phoenicians, marking the beginning of Greek literacy.

  • Amphictyonic Council of Delphi: A religious council managing the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi and fostering unity among Greek city-states.

  • Anthropos: The Greek word for "human being" or "man."

  • Aristocracy: A form of government in which power is held by a privileged elite or nobility.

  • Aristogiton: A co-conspirator with Harmodius in the assassination of Hipparchos, symbolizing opposition to tyranny.

  • Aeschylus: A playwright (525–456 BC), known as the "father of tragedy," who wrote plays like The Oresteia.

  • Arthur Evans: Archaeologist who discovered and excavated Knossos, defining the Minoan Civilization.

  • Artistocracy: Likely a typo; correct form is "aristocracy."

  • Athenian Cleruchy: A type of colony where settlers retained Athenian citizenship while establishing control over foreign lands.

  • Darius III: The last king of the Persian Empire, defeated by Alexander the Great.

  • Demetrius: A Macedonian general and king, one of the successors of Alexander the Great.

  • Demosthenes: An Athenian statesman and orator known for his speeches opposing Macedonian expansion under Philip II.

  • Draco: An Athenian legislator known for his harsh legal code (hence "draconian").

  • Ephialtes: An Athenian politician who reformed the powers of the Areopagus Council, advancing democracy.

  • Ephor: One of five elected officials in Sparta who shared power with kings and oversaw governance.

  • Epicurus and Epicureanism: A philosopher (341–270 BC) who advocated for a life of simple pleasures, friendship, and the absence of pain.

  • Geometric Style: A style of Greek art (c. 900–700 BC) characterized by geometric motifs and shapes in pottery.

  • Gordian Knot: A legendary knot cut by Alexander the Great, symbolizing decisive problem-solving.

  • Helots: The enslaved population in Sparta, forced to work on farms and serve the state.

  • Hellenistic Period: The era following Alexander's death (323–31 BC), marked by the spread of Greek culture across the Mediterranean and Near East.

  • Herodotus: A Greek historian (484–425 BC), often called the "Father of History."

  • Hippocrates: A physician (c. 460–370 BC) regarded as the "Father of Medicine."

  • Hoplites: Heavily armed Greek infantry soldiers who fought in a phalanx formation.

  • Iron Age: A period starting around 1200 BC characterized by the widespread use of iron tools and weapons.

  • Linear B: A script used for writing Mycenaean Greek, deciphered in the mid-20th century.

  • Lyceum: The school founded by Aristotle in Athens.

  • Megaron: A rectangular hall, often with a central hearth, found in Mycenaean palaces.

  • Metropolis: The "mother city" of a colony in ancient Greece.

  • Minoan Civilization: A Bronze Age civilization on Crete, known for its palatial centers, art, and trade networks.

  • Mycenae: An important city in Bronze Age Greece, central to the Mycenaean civilization.

  • Mycenaean Civilization: A militaristic Bronze Age culture in mainland Greece, noted for its palaces and Linear B script.

  • Parthenon: A temple on the Athenian Acropolis dedicated to Athena, representing classical Greek architecture.

  • Peloponnesian League: An alliance led by Sparta, opposing the Athenian empire.

  • Pericles: A statesman who led Athens during its "Golden Age," advancing democracy and cultural achievements.

  • Polis: A city-state, the primary political and social unit of ancient Greece.

  • Roxane: The wife of Alexander the Great and daughter of a Bactrian noble.

  • Sappho: A poet from Lesbos, renowned for her lyric poetry.

  • Socrates: A philosopher (470–399 BC) known for his Socratic method and focus on ethics and virtue.

  • Stoicism: A philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium, emphasizing reason, self-control, and harmony with nature.

  • Tholos Tombs: Beehive-shaped burial structures used in Mycenaean Greece.