Civilizations & People
Minoan
The first Greek civilization (about 2500-1450 B.C.) that lived on Crete and depended on ships and trade
Peninsula
Land that is almost surrounded by water, with water on three sides.
City-State
A city that governed itself like its own small country.
Trade
Along with fishing, one of the main ways ancient Greeks made a living.
Colony
A new settlement created in another land to help and support the home country.
Mycenaean
An early mainland Greek civilization (about 1400-1100 B.C.) known for warfare and conquest.
Aegean Sea
The sea around which most of ancient Greece was located.
Polis
The Greek word that means "city."
Bard
A person who told stories and preserved history through storytelling.
Polis
The Greek word that means "city."
Dorians
A group that overthrew the Mycenaeans, brought iron weapons, andcaused many Greeks to leave the mainland around 1100 B.C.
Knossos
The capital city where the ruins of the Minoan palace were found.
Phalanx
A tight military formation where soldiers stood shoulder-to-shoulder to fight together.
Oral Tradition
Sharing history and stories by speaking instead of writing; details can change over time.
Agora
The outdoor marketplace and gathering area in a Greek city.
Minos
The ruler and legendary king of the Minoan people.
Acropolis
"High city"; the fortified hilltop area of a Greek city-state.
Hoplite
A Greek citizen who served as a foot soldier.
Dark Ages
A 300-year time in Greek history when trade fell and people lived simply just to survive.
Acropolis
"High city"; the fortified hilltop area of a Greek city-state.
Hellenes
Another term used to describe the Greek people.
Agora
The outdoor marketplace and gathering area in a Greek city.
Colony
A new settlement created in another land to help and support the home country.
Earth Mother
The main god or goddess worshiped by the earliest Greek civilizations.
Hoplite
A Greek citizen who served as a foot soldier.