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Greek Vocabulary
30 different words
Word | Definition |
---|---|
Epic | A long poem that tells the story of a hero. |
Barbarians | The name given by the Greeks to people who were NOT Greek. |
Colonies | Areas set up in conquered lands by the Greek city-states for use when they themselves became overpopulated. |
Minoan | An ancient Cretan civilization. |
Myths | Legends or stories that attempt to explain natural events. |
Dorians | A group that invaded Greece around 1000 B.C. |
Hellenes | The name the Dorians gave themselves. |
Acropolis | A hilltop fortress in Ancient Athens which included the Parthenon and other famous buildings where citizens met to dicuss the affairs of the community. |
Agora | The central marketplace in Ancient Athens and the site of numerous temples and government buildings. |
Mattock | A heavy hoe which was the chief tool of Greek farmers. |
Drama | A serious play or theatrical event. |
Metics | A class of people in Athens who were not citizens. |
Helots | One of the Spartan slave classes. |
City-state | A self governing unit made up of a city and surrounding villages and farmland. |
Homer | A Greek epic poet and author of Iliad and Odyssey. |
Monarchy | A system of government in which a monarch, a king,queen, or emperor is the sole and absolute ruler. |
Oligarchy | A system of government in which a few people rule. |
Democracy | A system of government in which the people rule, directly or through elected representatives. |
Tyrant | A ruler who has absolute power (not limited by constitution or other officials). |
Polis | A city-state in Ancient Greece. |
Trireme | A major sailing vessel powered by three banks of oarsmen. |
Fresco | A painting done on fresh plaster with water colors. |
Peloponnesus | A hilly major peninsula in Greece. |
Ostracized | Shunned or avoided. |
Oracle | Places where the gods spoke directly to man. |
Phalanx | Special Greek battle formation where the soldiers formed rows, closely pressed together. |
Philosophy | The study of the meaning and knowledge of life. |
Sophocles | A famous Greek writer. |
Pericles | A Greek leader of the Golden Age. |
Ionia | A group of Greek cities on the coast of Asia Minor. |