Ancient GreeceVocabulary

HellenicPertaining to, or having characteristics of, Ancient Greece

PolisA Greek city-state (a self-governing town and its surrounding

farmland)

AcropolisA fortress built on a hill

PantheonA group of gods, heroes, or important people considered

collectively

panhellenicPertaining to all Greeks

Agoraan open-air market and gathering place in most ancient

Greek poleis

CitizenA native or naturalized member of a country who owes

allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection

Metica foreign resident of an ancient polis that paid for the right to

live there.

AristocracyA government ruled by a privileged upper class

oligarchyForm of government where power is in the hands of a few

tyrantAn absolute ruler

TyrannyAn oppressive or unjustly severe government on the part of

the ruler

DemocracyGovernment by the people, a form of government where

supreme power is with the people and exercised directly by them or their elected representatives

AbroadIn or to a foreign country,

often a country in a different continent

riotA noisy, violent disorder caused by a group or a crowd

in the streets

Agoge“Training” The Spartan name for their system of physical,

social, intellectual and moral education of the citizen

SpartiateA full citizen of Sparta, who had gone through the agoge

Hoplite A heavily armed foot soldier of ancient Greece

InfantrySoldiers or military units that fight on foot

PhalanxA group of heavily armed infantry formed in ranks and files

that are close and deep with shields and long spears overlapping

TriremeA ship with three tiers of oars, one above the other, used

chiefly as a warship