Ancient Civilization

Front 1

Epic Poem

Back 1

a long poem that tells the deeds of a great hero, such as the Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer

Front 2

arete

Back 2

in early Greece, the qualities of excellence that a hero strives to win in a struggle or contest

Front 3

polis

Back 3

the early Greek city-state, consisting of a city or town and its surrounding countryside

Front 4

Acropolis

Back 4

in early Greek city-states, a fortified gathering place at the top of a hill that was sometimes the site of temples and public buildings

Front 5

agora

Back 5

in early Greek city-states, an open area that served as a gathering place and as a market

Front 6

hoplite

Back 6

in the early Greek military system, a heavily armed foot soldier

Front 7

phalanx

Back 7

a wall of shields created by foot soldiers marching shoulder to shoulder in a rectangular formation

Front 8

tyrant

Back 8

a ruler who seized power by force from the aristocrats, gained support from the newly rich and the poor, and maintained power by using hired soldiers and fighting tactics

Front 9

democracy

Back 9

"the rule of the many," government by the people, either directly or through their elected representatives

Front 10

oligarchy

Back 10

"the rule of the few", a form or government in which a select group of people exercises controls

Front 11

helot

Back 11

in ancient Sparta, a captive person who was forced to work for the conqueror

Front 12

ephor

Back 12

one of give men elected each year in ancient Sparta who were responsible for the education youth and conduct of all citizens

Front 13

Age of Pericles

Back 13

the period between 461 BC and 429 BC when Pericles dominated Athenian politics and Athens reached the height of its power

Front 14

direct democracy

Back 14

a system of government in which the people participate directly in government decision making through mass meetings

Front 15

ostracism

Back 15

in ancient Athens, the process for temporarily banning ambitious politicians from the city by popular vote

Front 16

ritual

Back 16

a ceremony or a rite

Front 17

oracle

Back 17

in ancient Greece, a sacred shrine where a god or goddess was said to reveal the future through priest or priestess

Front 18

tragedy

Back 18

a form of drama that portrays a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force and having a protagonist who is brought to ruin or extreme sorrow, especially as a result of a fatal flaw

Front 19

philosophy

Back 19

an organized system of thought, from the Greek for "love of wisdom"

Front 20

Socratic method

Back 20

the method of teaching used by the Greek philosopher Socrates; it employs a question-and-answer format to lead pupils to see things for themselves by using their own reason

Front 21

Hellenistic Era

Back 21

the age of Alexander the Great; period when the Greek language and ideas were carried to the non-Greek world

Front 22

Epicureanism

Back 22

school of thought developed by the philosopoher Epicurus in Hellenistic Athens; it held that happiness is the chief goal in life, and the means to achieve happiness was the pursuit of pleasure

Front 23

stoicism

Back 23

a school of thought developed by the teacher in Zeno in Hellenistic Athens; it says that happiness can be achieved only when people gain inner peace by living in harmony with the will of God and that people should bear whatever life offers