define
define: myths
Stories that explained the features of nature and the adventures of Greek gods and goddesses.
Means “rule by the people”; citizens govern themselves by their power to vote.
define: democracy
Define: Greece
The first civilization in Europe; the ideas of the ancient Greeks still influence the world today more than any other civilization.
The first civilization in the Aegean area.
define: Minoan
define: Homer
The poet who is credited with composing the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey”
define: peninsula
A landform surrounded on three sides by water.
“striving for excellence” - the Greeks believed every man and woman should strive for excellence in everything they do no matter how small the task
define: arate
Define: Iliad
The story of the last year of the Trojan War.
Stories that told a lesson usually with animal characters.
define: Aesop’s Fables
define: city-state
Cities in ancient Greece with their own king, their own form of government, laws, traditions, gods and goddesses, etc.
define:phalanx
A military formation in which the soldiers fight close together shoulder to shoulder.
A long poem that tells a story about heroes and gods.
define: epic
define: Balkan Peninsula
The peninsula on which Greece is located.
Hot, dry summers; cold drizzly winters.
define: Mediterranean Climate
define: democratic
The belief that all people have the right to improve their position in life regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, ethnic background or social class.
define: agora
Marketplaces in ancient Greece.
A settlement that is controlled by the mother country; keeps close ties with the mother country.
define: colony
define: Odyssey
This poem tells the story of the adventures of the Greek hero Odysseus (Ulysses) as he made his way back to Greece after the Trojan War.
The southern part of Greece.
define: Peloponnesus
define: polis
The Greek term for city.
define: representative democracy
The voters elect people to make the laws and decisions. (USA)
All voters meet together in one place to make decisions and the laws; all free men 18 or older, rich or POOR. (GREECE)
define: direct democracy
define: Trojan War
The ten year long war between Greece and Troy which ended with the defeat of Troy.
This man said all free men, eighteen years or older, rich or poor could vote and hold office in Athens.
define: Solon
define: acropolis
High, rocky hills on or near where early Greeks built their cities.