Vocabulary Terms
Peninsula
An area of land nearly surrounded by water. (on 3 sides)
Homer
A greek poet, composed the epics The Illiad and the Odyssey.
Troy
An ancient city in northwestern Anatolia, the Asiatic part of Turkey.
The Battle at Marathon
The Persians invaded Greece with a massive army. The Athenians hastily assembled a small army. Against the odds, the Athenians won this battle!
Women in Athens
Typically, women in Athens tended to the home, oversaw the finances, looked after food stock and supplies, and took care of and trained the slaves in the household.
Epic
A long poem that tells a story.
Pericles
Athenian leader; played a major role in Greek democracy and the Athenian empire. He referred to Athens as "The school of Greece."
Athens
The capital city of Greece. Built their foundation mainly on education and democracy.
Peloponnesian Wars
A long series of battles between Athens and Sparta. Lasted roughly 27 years. The wars began after Athens misused tributary payments and angered the smaller city-states that had formally trusted them. They saught Sparta for protection. Spartans won!
Spartan Women
Were allowed to own property and take part in businesses. Trained in wrestling and spear throwing.
Assassinate
A person murdered for political reasons.
Socrates
Athenian philosopher of the late 400s BC. Was put to death for questioning Athenian values.
Sparta
AWESOME WAR MACHINES!
The Trojan War
According to classical narrative, Menelaus’ wife Helen was captured by Prince Paris and taken to the city of Troy. Menelaus sent an army of Greek men to fight and retrieve her. The conclusion of the battle ends with the Trojan horse being wheeled in to Troy containing Greek soldiers. The Greek soldiers surprised the Trojan army and won the battle!
Tragedy
A type of serious drama that ends in disaster for the main character.
Immortals
Someone or something that lives forever.
Parthenon
The chief temple of the goddess Athena on the hill of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.
The Dark Ages
The time period after the Trojan War. People were living in poverty, writing and recording events stopped. Scholars are still unsure why this could have happened.
Aristocrat
A member of a rich and powerful family. An early form of government in ancient Greece.
Philosopher
Someone who uses reason to understand the world. In Greece, the earliest philosophers used reason to explain natural events.
Agora
A public market and meeting place in an ancient Greek city.
The Golden Age
After the Persian war. Greeks grew prosperous from mining silver, trade, and receiving payments from tributes.
Tyrant
A ruler who takes power with the support of the middle and working classes. Not necessarily cruel and violent.
Poseidon
Greek god of the sea and of water (generally), earthquakes, and horses. Brother to Zeus.
Acropolis
A high, rocky hill on or near where early people built cities.
Democracy
A form of government in which citizens govern themselves. Stipulations were people had to be male, at least 18 years old, and a native born to Athens.
Zeus
Greek god of the sky. Considered the ruler, protector, and father of all gods and humans
Mount Olympus
A mountain range in northern Greece. Believed to be the location and home of the MOST respected 12 Olympians (Greek gods).
Tribute
A payment made by a less powerful state or nation to a more powerful one.
Barbarian
Wild, uncivilized people. The Macedonians were considered "barbarians."
City-state
A city with its own laws, traditions, and government. Also a separate, independent state. City-states were naturally formed by the moutanous geography that seperated each community.
Plague
A widespread disease.
Alexander the Great
King of Macedonia (356-323 BC); conquered Persia, Greece, Egypt, and parts of India; spread Hellenism.
Hellenistic
Describing Greek culture after the death of Alexander the Great, including the 3 main kingdoms formed by the breakup of his kingdom after his death. Examples are agoras, theatres featuring Greek tragedies, Greek language. Greeks held the highest paying jobs.
King Philip
King of Macedonia; Father of Alexander the Great; assassinated.