Mythic
Homeric
Bronze
Dark
Archaic
100
One of the six original Olympian gods (goddess), the second born and a sister of Zeus. She is associated with grain and harvest. A Homeric Hymn tells how Zeus promised her daughter, Persephone, to Hades, which made her sad, and finally how Persephone came to be with her mother for 2/3 of the year and with Hades for 1/3. This story is cited as an etiological myth for the changing of the seasons.
Who is Demeter?
100
The sister-wife of Zeus. She is one of the original 6 Olympian god/desses, and is associated with marriage and fidelity. As Zeus' wife, she is often portrayed as being angry with his many affairs with other women. She took the side of the Greeks against the Trojans in the Iliad.
Who is Hera?
100
A fortified location in the north-eastern Peloponnese near Argos that is believed to have been a principle governing city in the e Bronze Age (1600-1100bce). Some believe it to be representative of the Ancient Greek cities from the time of Homer. German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered in one of the burial shaft graves a gold burial mask that he called "The Mask of Agamemnon."
What is Mycenea?
100
The theory that ancient epic poetry was not memorized word-for-word, but assembled as the poet recites from stock formulae. The poet need only to remember only key sequences and phrases, while at the same time being free to adapt the poem to the audience. Lord and Perry recorded and studied Croation epic poets in the 1930s that added support to the theory that the Homeric poems were likely composed and recited in this way.
What is oral composition?
100
A sacred temple site near Mt. Parnassus in central Greece that is dedicated to the Olympian god Apollo. It was famous in ancient times as being home to the pythian priestess, who could give surprisingly accurate prophecies, though they were always worded such that many interpretations could be derived.
What is Delphi?
200
It means being in the shape of a human. It is used to describe both the physical and behavioral character of the ancient Greek gods, who were in the shape of humans and had human like emotions and behaviors.
What is anthropomorphic?
200
The honor, value or respect shown to a person. It is most the honor given to a god/dess with respect to a particular attribute of the god/dess, as with to Apollo as the god of prophecy.
What is timē (τιμἠ)?
200
This ancient culture was located in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a large palace at Knossos on Crete. It is the fabled home of King Minos and the minotaur, from which the name is derived.
What is Minoan Civilization?
200
It is the Greek word for "household." It refers both the the place, the family, and usually the servants who work there, as well as the property. The English term "economics" is derived from this.
What is oikos?
200
It means "rule by the few." It is similar to aristocracy, (which means "rule by the best) and sometimes called such by the rulers themselves to justify their continued hold power (by saying others were not capable).
What is oligarchy?
300
A belief in many deities. Usually, it ascribes different powers or features to the various deities. Ancient Greeks believed this way.
What is polytheistic?
300
A collection of ancient poems related to the Trojan war. Today only Homer's Iliad (and Odyssey) survive in tact.
What is "epic cycle?"
300
A style used on pottery of the late bronze/early dark-ages that lacks human figures but shows precise lines in repeated various shapes.
What is protogeometric?
300
The supposed "author" of the Iliad and the Odyssey. He was probably blind.
Who is Homer?
300
What the ancient Greeks called their cities, referring to the place and the people, as well and its government. Many English words related to this idea are derived from this word.
What is polis?
400
He was a greek god, son of Kronos. He was the head of the Olympian gods.
Who was Zeus?
400
The eponymous hero of a Homeric Epic. He is famous for be clever.
Who is Odysseus?
400
The big palace on Crete where the minotaur lived.
What is Knossos?
400
A term for a king, who in ancient times was a warrior with a lot of stuff.
What is basileus?
400
The public marketplace of a city. It was where commerce and politics often took place.
What is agora?
500
The total collection of deities belonging to a given culture or religion.
What is pantheon?
500
Means "wrath" or "rage" in ancient Greek.
What is menis (μῆνις)?
500
Discovered the ancient site of Troy.
Who was Heinrich Schliemann?
500
the poetic meter used in the Iliad and Odyssey.
What is dactylic hexameter?
500
Ancient Greek term for "fame."
What is kleos?