* Epic poem- A long poem that tells the deeds of a great hero. * Arete- In early Greece the qualities of excellence that a hero strives to win in a struggle or contest.
Section 2 Terms
* Polis- The early Greek city-state, consisting of a city or town and its surrounding territory. * Acropolis- In early Greek city-states, a fortified gathering place at the top of a hill which was sometimes the site of temples and public buildings. * Agora- In early Greek city-states, an open area that served as a gathering place and as a market. * Hoplite- In early Greek military system, heavily armed foot soldiers. * Phalanx- A wall of shields created by foot soldiers marching close together in a rectangular formation. * Democracy- “the rule of the many” government by the people either directly or through their elected representative. * Oligarchy- “the rule of the few” a form of government in which a small group of people exercise controls. * Helot- In ancient Sparta, captive people who were forced to work for their conquerors. * Ephor- One of the five men elected each year in ancient Sparta who were responsible for the education of youth and the conduct of all citizens.
Section 3 Terms
* Age of Pericles- The period between 461 and 429 B.C. when Pericles dominated Athenian politics and Athens reached the height of its powers. * Direct Democracy- A system of government in which the people participate directly in government decision making through mass meeting. * Ostracism- In ancient Athens, the process for temporarily banning ambitious politicians from the city by popular vote.
The Term Paper on Greek Art in Ancient Greece and Faraway Lands
The classical period of Greece (490 – 323 B. C. ) saw the artists perfecting their style. Following Alexander’s conquests, ancient Greece entered the Hellenistic period (323 – 31 B. C. ) (“Timeline of Ancient Greece”). Of course, Alexander the Great was not the only god of the ancient Greek civilization. Ancient Greeks worshipped plenty of gods that were believed to have appeared to them in human ...
Section 4 Terms
* Ritual- A ceremony or rite.
* Oracle- In ancient Greece, a sacred shrine where a god or goddess was said to reveal the future through a priest or priestess. * Tragedy- 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. * Philosophy- An organized system of thought from the Greek for “love of wisdom” * Socratic Method- 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.
Section 5 Terms
* Hellenistic Era- The age of Alexander the great; period when the Greek language and ideas were carried to the non-Greek world. * Epicureanism- School of thought developed by the philosopher 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. * Stoicism- a school of thought developed by the teacher 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.
