Chapter 4- Ancient Greece, 1900-133 B.C

Epic Poem

A long poem that tells the deeds of a great hero, such as the Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer

Arete

In early Greece, the qualities of excellence that a hero strives to win in a struggle or contest

Polis

The early Greek city-state, consisting of a city or town and its surrounding territory

Acropolis

In early Greek city-states, a fortified gathering place at the top of a hill which was sometimes the site of temples and public buildings

Agora

In early Greek city-states, an open area that served as a gathering place and as a market

Hoplite

In the early Greek military system, heavily armed foot soldiers

Phalanx

A wall of shields created by foot soldiers marching close together in a rectangular formation

Democracy

The Rule of Many," government by the people, either directly or through their elected representatives

Oligarchy

The Rule of the Few," a form of government in which a small group of people exercises controls

Helot

In ancient Sparta, captive peoples who were forced to work for their conquerors

Ephor

One of the five men elected each year in ancient Sparta who were responsible for the education of the youth and the conduct of all citizens

Age of Pericles

The period between 461 and 429 B.C when Pericles dominated Athenian politics and Athens reached the height of its power

Direct Democracy

A system of government in which the people participate directly in government decision making through mass meetings

Ostracism

In ancient Athens, the process for temporarily banning ambitious politicians from the city by popular vote

Ritual

A ceremony or rite

Oracle

In ancient Greece, a sacred shrine where a god or goddess was said to reveal the future through a priest or priestess

Tragedy

A form of drama that portrays a conflict between the protagonists and a superior force and having a protagonist who is brought to ruin or extreme sorrow, especially as a result of a fatal flaw

Philosophy

An organized system of thought, from the Greek for "Love of Wisdom

Socratic Method

The method of teaching used by the Greek philosopher Socrates, it employs a question-and-answer format to lead pupils to see things for themselves by using their own reason

Hellenistic Era

The age of Alexander the Great; period when the Greek language and ideas were carried to the non-Greek world

Epicureanism

School of thought developed by the philosopher Epicurus in Hellenistic Athens; it held that happiness is the chief goal in life, and the means to achieve happiness was the pursuit of pleasure

Stoicism

A school of thought developed by the teacher Zeno in Hellenistic Athens; it says that happiness can be achieved only when people gain inner peace by living in harmony with the will of God, and that people should bear whatever life offers