Ancient Greece and Rome Vocab

Philip II

(1527-1598) King of Spain from 1556 to 1598. Absolute monarch who helped lead the Counter Reformation by persecuting Protestants in his holdings. Also sent the Spanish Armada against England. king of ancient Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great (382-336 BC). Macedonian king who sought to unite Greece under his banner until his death or murder. He was succeeded by his son Alexander.

Plato

(430-347 BCE) Was a disciple of Socrates whose cornerstone of thought was his theory of Forms, in which there was another world of perfection.

Peloponnesian War

(431-404 BCE) The war between Athens and Sparta that in which Sparta won, but left Greece as a whole weak and ready to fall to its neighbors to the north. War between Athens and Spartan Alliances. The war was largely a consequence of Athenian imperialism in the Aegean region. It went on for over 20 years. Ultimately, Sparta prevailed but both were weakened sufficient to be soon conquered by Macedonians, later leading to the Hellenistic Empire and Alexander the Great.

Augustine

(Roman Catholic Church) one of the great fathers of the early Christian church

Xerxes

(c. 519-465 BC) King of Persia; his armies invaded Greece but were eventually defeated by the Greeks. son of Darius; became Persian king. He vowed revenge on the Athenians. He invaded Greece with 180,000 troops in 480 B.C.

Thermopylae

- the persians defeat the Greeks; it is where the 300 spartans die. a famous battle in 480 BC, where the Persians attacked the Spartans, battle held in a mountain pass. 100 miles from Athens; it is where the Greek soldiers held off the Persian army for 3 days then the Persians killed every soldier guarding the pass and then marched on to Athens where they set it on fire.

Roman Roads

50,000 miles spanned the Roman Empire, spreading its legions, culture and immense influence. Romans made over 50,000 miles of paved roads. allowed for better military transportation and facilitated trade throughout their empire. Cities grew larger and more powerful. Appian Way, 53,000 miles make up all the Roman roads, User-contributed everyone could share supplies, 55,000miles of roads, communication, soldiers.

Acropolis

A fortified hilltop in an ancient Greek city. Greek for "high city". The chief temples of the city were located here.

Monarchy

A government in which power is in the hands of a single person. a form of government with a monarch at the head. A government ruled by a king or queen.

Oligarchy

A government ruled by a few powerful people. rule by a few. a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.

Comedy

A humorous work of drama. light and humorous drama with a happy ending. A literary work which ends happily because the hero or heroine is able to overcome obstacles and get what he or she wants.

Troy

A kingdom that was destroyed by the Greeks in the Trojan War. an ancient city in Asia Minor that was the site of the Trojan War. A kingdom that was destroyed by the Greeks in the Trojan War. It is located on the western coast of Asia Minor.

Parthenon

A large temple dedicated to the goddess Athena on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It was built in the 5th century BCE, during the Athenian golden age.

Legion

A military unit of the ancient Roman army, made up of about 5,000 foot soldiers and a group of soldiers on horseback.

Pax Romana

A period of peace and prosperity throughout the Roman Empire, lasting from 27 B.C. to A.D. 180.

Democracy

A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them. government by the people. a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

Delian League

Alliance between Athens and many of its allied cities following the first attempted invasion of Perisa into Greece. Caused a lot of wealth to flow into Athens and thus contributed to the Athenian "golden age." an alliance headed by Athens that says that all Greek city-states will come together and help fight the Persians.

Mycenaeans

An Indo-European people who settled on the Greek mainland around 2000 B.C. a group of people who settled on the Greek mainland around 2000 B.C.; leading city called Mycenae which could withstand any attack; nobles lived in splendor; these people invaded many surrounding kingdoms.

Macedonia

An ancient kingdom north of Greece, whose ruler Philip II conquered Greece in 338 B.C. Area between the Greek and Slavic regions; conquered Greece and Mesopotamia under the leadership of Philip II and Alexander the Great.

Pericles

Aristocratic leader who guided the Athenian state through the transformation to full participatory democracy for all male citizens. Ruler of Athens who zealously sought to spread Athenian democracy through imperial force. Athenian leader noted for advancing democracy in Athens and for ordering the construction of the Parthenon.

Socrates

Athenian philosopher (ca. 470-399 B.C.E.) who shifted the emphasis of philosophical investigation from questions of natural science to ethics and human behavior. Greek philosopher; socratic method--questioning; sentenced to death for corrupting Athens youth. (470-399 BCE) An Athenian philosopher who thought that human beings could lead honest lives and that honor was far more important than wealth, fame, or other superficial attributes.

Themistocles

Athenian statesman who persuaded Athens to build a navy and then led it to victory over the Persians (527-460 BC). A Greek military leader who convinced the Athenians to build a navy. This helped Athens win a major battle against Persia, the Battle of Salamis. He was ostracized around 471 BCE.

Heliocentric

Based on the belief that the sun is the center of the universe

Salamis

Battle location in the Persian Wars where Persian ships were too large to maneuver and were defeated by the Athenian navy. 480 BC; Naval battle; 2nd Persian War; Greeks win despite great odds. naval battle where the Greek forces defeated the Persians, shortly after the battle at Thermopylae.

Rome

Capital of Italy. Respiratory Opposite Metabolic Equal.

Constantinople

Capital of the Byzantine Empire. A large and wealthy city that was the imperial capital of the Byzantine empire and later the Ottoman empire, now known as Istanbul. City founded as the second capital of the Roman Empire; later became the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

Constantine

Emperor of the Roman Empire who moved the capital to Constantinople. He eventually converted to Christianity as well. (274 CE - 337 CE) Roman Emperor between 306 CE and 337 CE. He issued the Edict of Milan which outlawed the persecution of Christians. He also founded the city of Constantinople, the future capital of the Byzantine Empire. Emperor of Rome who adopted the Christian faith and stopped the persecution of Christians (280-337)

Hippocrates

Father of modern medicine. "Founder of Medicine" During the Golden Age in Greece he was a scientist that believed all diseases came from natural causes. He also had high ideals for physicians & an oath was made that is still used today.

Phalanx

Formation of soldiers carrying shields close together for defense; any very close group of people. a compact or close-knit body of people, animals, or things. A military formation of foot soldiers armed with spears and shields.

Jesus Christ

Founder of Christianity. A teacher and prophet whose life and teachings form the basis of Christianity. Christians believe Jesus to be Son of God.

Patricians and Plebeians

From the start the roman society was split into two classes. The patricians who were considered to be the upper class could serve as priests, senators and magistrate. The plebeians were the commoners- farmers, laborers and artisans. The wealth did not define the class, some plebeians were rich and more patricians could be poor.

Roman Republic

Government ruled by a senate, spoke Latin, and borrowed heavily from Greek culture. They militarily expanded their territory for centuries but the senate eventually was overthrown by an imperial system. This establishment consisted of the Senate with two consuls who were elected by an assembly dominated by hereditary aristocrats known as patricians. The period from 507 to 31 B.C.E., during which Rome was largely governed by the aristocratic Roman Senate.

Polis

Greek city-state

Sparta

Greek city-state that was ruled by an oligarchy, focused on military, used slaves for agriculture, discouraged the arts. A powerful Greek miliary polis that was often at war with Athens. Used slaves known as helots to provide agricultural labor.

Aristole

Greek philosopher who was the private teacher of Alexander the Great.

Archimedes

Greek scientist, inventor, and mathematician. scientist/inventor; invented lever and the pulley. (287-212 BCE) Greek mathematician and inventor. He wrote works on plane and solid geometry, arithmetic, and mechanics. He is best known for the lever and pulley.

Senate

In ancient Rome, the supreme governing body, originally made up only of aristocrats. A group of 300 men elected to govern Rome in the Roman Republic.

Octavian/Augustus

Julius Caesar's grandnephew, later known as Augustus. By defeating Mark Antony, he gained rule of all roman lands. He was Rome's first true emperor. Caesar's adopted son who defeated Mark Anthony for title of ruler of Rome after Caesar's death.

Persian War

King Darius of Persia wanted to conquer all of the Greek city-states but Athens and Sparta resisted. Greek city-states vs. Persia - Greek city-states won. Athens emerged as most powerful city state in Greece. A series of wars between the Greeks (mainly Athens) and the Persians in which the Greeks were usually victorious. 5th century B.C.E wars between the Persian empire and Greek city-states; Greek victories allowed Greek civilization to define identity.

Alexander the Great

King of Macedonia who conquered Greece, Egypt, and Persia. son of Philip II; received military training in Macedonian army and was a student of Aristotle; great leader; conquered much land in Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia; goal was to conquer the known world. Between 334 and 323 B.C.E. he conquered the Persian Empire, reached the Indus Valley, founded many Greek-style cities, and spread Greek culture across the Middle East.

Hellenistic

Of or relating to Greek history, culture, or art after Alexander the Great. Of or influenced by the Greek Empire. A type of culture typically referred to after the conquests of Alexander the Great.

Julius Caesar

Part of the first triumvirate who eventually became "emperor for life". Chose not to conquer Germany. Was assassinated by fellow senators in 44 B.C.E. Made dictator for life in 45 BCE, after conquering Gaul, assassinated in 44 BCE by the Senate because they were afraid of his power. 100-44 B.C. Roman general who became the republic's dictator in 45 B.C.

Hadrian

Roman Emperor who was the adoptive son of Trajan. "Romanized"and organized the empire- built bridges, roads, and aqueducts, ruled during the height of the Pax Romana, Built Hadrians Wall across Britain, strengthened borders.

Pompeii

Roman town destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. ancient city southeast of Naples that was buried by a volcanic eruption from Vesuvius. Roman city near Naples, Italy, which was buried during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.

Messiah

Savior sent by God, appointed one

Paul and Peter

These two apostles were martyred in the same year: AD 64. the apostles who were martyred under the reign of Nero. Two leaders of early Christianity who were martyred in Nero's persecution.

Carthage

This city has existed for nearly 3,000 years, developing from a Phoenician colony of the 1st millennium BC into the capital of the Carthaginian Empire. The expanding Roman Republic took control of many of its outposts after the two Punic Wars. City located in present-day Tunisia, founded by Phoenicians ca. 800 B.C.E. It became a major commercial center and naval power in the western Mediterranean until defeated by the expanding Roman Republic in the third century B.C.E.

Romulus and Remus

Traditional story of how Rome began. Twins abandoned and rescued by a wolf, raised by a shepherd . Grew to build Rome. Romulus later killed Remus. Legendary figures in Roman history, they built a city that eventually became Rome.

Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus

Urge the government to give back public land to the poor, both murdered by members of the senate. Two brothers who served as Roman tribunes who tried to address Rome's problems by creating frame for poor Roman and selling food cheaply to poor citizens. Both were killed-people began to see violence as a political weapon.

Punic Wars

Wars between the Romans and Carthaginians that marked Rome as the preeminent power in the eastern as well as the western Mediterranean. Wars fought between Rome and Carthage. A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage (264-146 B.C.); resulted in the destruction of Carthage and Rome's dominance over the western Mediterranean.

Mediterranean Sea

a body of water north of Africa. A large, almost landlocked arm of the Atlantic Ocean touching Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Circus Maximus

a large Roman stadium primarily used for chariot races. a Roman outdoor arena in which public games, such as chariot races, were held.

Colosseum

a large amphitheater built in Rome around ad 70; site of the contest and combats between people and animals. A large arena in Rome where gladiator contests and other games and sporting events were held. A large stadium in ancient Rome where athletic events took place.

Tyrant

a leader who held power through the use of force. a cruel and oppressive dictator.

Epic Poem

a long poem that tells the deeds of a great hero. a long, narrative poem that is usually about heroic deeds and events that are significant to the culture of the poet.

Republic

a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch. A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws. A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting.

Trojan War

a war, fought around 1200 B.C., in which an army led by Mycenaean kings attacked the independent trading city of Troy in Anatolia. 10 year war fought between the Mycenaean Greeks and the city of Troy. (Greek mythology) a great war fought between Greece and Troy.

Aegean Sea

an arm of the Mediterranean Sea between Greece and Turkey. A body of water by Mediterranean Sea that touches the borders of Greece & Asia Minor. It also has many islands in it, including Crete.

Homer

ancient Greek epic poet who is believed to have written the Iliad and the Odyssey (circa 850 BC)

Aqueduct

artificial channel for conducting water over a distance. A raised channel used to carry water from mountains into cities. A structure that carries water over long distances.

Ostracism

deliberate social exclusion of individuals or groups. exclusion from a society or group.

tragedy

drama in which the protagonist is overcome by some superior force or circumstance. a play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending, especially one concerning the downfall of the main character. A serious form of drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character.

Minoans

earliest Greek civilization that had developed on the island of Crete by 2000 B.C. One of the early proto-Greek peoples from 2600 BCE to 1500 BCE. Inhabitants of the island of Crete. Their site of Knossos is pictured above. The Mediterranean society that formed on the island of Crete and who were a big maritime society.

Rhetoric

effective writing or speaking. the art of using language effectively and persuasively. the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.

Mycenae

first Greek state. Sea-faring Greek kingdom. A major center of Greek Civilization in the 1000s BCE, centuries before Greek's "Golden Age" of Athenian influence. It's center was located about 90 km southwest of Athens. Site of a fortified palace complex in southern Greece that controlled a Late Bronze Age kingdom. In Homer's epic poems Mycenae was the base of King Agamemnon, who commanded the Greeks besieging Troy.

Roman Concrete

formed by combining pozzuolana (a volcanic earth) with lime, broken stones, bricks, and tuff, was easily produced and had great durability. most important building material innovation of Romans, made of water, ash and lime water.

Hannibal

general who commanded the Carthaginian army in the second Punic War. Carthaginian military commander who, in the Second Punic War, attempted a surprise attack on Rome, crossing the Alps with a large group of soldiers, horses, and elephants.

Consul

head of government, usually with a limited term in office. Under the Roman Republic, one of the two magistrates holding supreme civil and military authority. Nominated by the Senate and elected by citizens in the Comitia Centuriata, the consuls held office for one year and each had power of veto over the other. An elected official who led the Roman Republic.

Edict of Milan

issued by Constantine in 313, ended the "great persecution" and legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire. 313 CE Constantine makes Christianity the primary religion of the Roman Empire

Leonidas

king of Sparta and hero of the battle of Thermopylae where he was killed by the Persians (died in 480 BC)

Legislature

lawmaking body. A group of people who have the power to make laws.

Apostle

leader or teacher of a new faith or movement. Pioneer of a reform movement (originally, an early follower of Jesus).

Judea

region of Rome which includes modern-day Israel; birthplace of Jesus. The land in the eastern Mediterranean region populated by Jews at the time of the Roman Empire. Area where most Jews lived that was conquered by the Romans by 63 BC.

Herodotus

the ancient Greek known as the father of history. Greek Historian, considered the father of History. He came from a Greek community in Anatolia and traveled extensively, collecting information in western Asia and the Mediterranean lands.

Athens

the capital and largest city of Greece. A democratic Greek polis who accomplished many cultural achievements, and who were constantly at war with Sparta.

Aristocracy

the highest class in certain societies, especially those holding hereditary titles or offices. A government in which power is in the hands of a hereditary ruling class or nobility. Group of the most wealthy and privileged.

Crete

the largest Greek island in the Mediterranean. A Greek island in the Mediterranean Sea, southeast of Greece.

Twelves Tables

the legislation that stood at the foundation of Roman law

Christians

the people of the Christian religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.

Logic

the process of reasoning. Reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity.