Vocabulary 6 2 Ancient Greece

1. Polis

Definition: A city with its own traditions and its own government and laws; City-State

The Vatican is a city-state, a very small city, that is also its own country!

2. Acropolis

Definition: A high hill upon which a Greek fortress was built.

3. Agora

Definition: A public market and meeting place in an ancient Greek city.

4. Citizenship

Definition: A status in society that gives the right to participate in government.

5. Oligarchy

Definition: A form of government where only a few people exercise power.

Notice there are a few in charge, enjoying their power, everyone else works.

6. Democracy

Definition: A form of government in which citizens govern themselves.

7. Tyranny

Definition: A form of government that takes power by force.

8. Assembly

Definition: The main governing body of Athenian democracy. Any male citizen could participate.

9. Delian League

Definition: An alliance with Athens created for defense against the Persians.

10. Hellenism

Definition: Greek culture; Hellenistic is what you call something that is from Greek culture.

11. Mythology

Definition: Stories about gods and heroes that try to explain how the world works.

12. Tragedy

Definition: A type of serious drama that ends in disaster for the main character.

13. Comedy

Definition: A type of drama that always had a happy ending.

14. Fable

Definition: A short story that teaches a lesson about life, or gives advice on how to live.

15. Column

Definition: An upright pillar used in Greek architecture.