STUDY GUIDE

Terms	Definitions
agora	the marketplace of a Greek city state, center of civic life, a central area in Greek cities used both as a marketplace and as a meeting place
myth	a traditional story accepted as history
epic	a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
Amphitheater	Large open air structure with ascending seating built into the mountainside.
phalanx	formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)
helot	In the society of ancient Sparta, a peasant bound to the land
democracy	Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representative
Olympics	Greek athletic competitions to celebrate the Gods and feed city-state rivalries beginning in 776BCE, eventually revived in 1896.
Trojan War	Mycenaeans (Greeks) vs. Troy. Trojan Prince kidnapped Helen, wife of the Mycenaen's king. Greeks won when they tricked the Trojans with the Trojan Horse. The Iliad gives information about the Trojan War.
Iliad	a Greek epic poem (attributed to Homer) that tells the story of the final years of the Trojan War
Odyssey	a Greek epic poem (attributed to Homer) describing the journey of Odysseus after the fall of Troy
Achilles	son of Peleus and Thetis, Greek warrior in the Trojan War and hero of Homer's Iliad
acropolis	a hilltop where citizens met for government activities and religious observances
Athens	City state that had a jury system and citizens were directly involved in government.
Babylon Gardens	The gardens were attributed to the Neo-Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II, who ruled between 605 and 562 BC. He is reported to have constructed the gardens to please his homesick wife, Amytis of Media, who longed for the plants of her homeland. The gardens were said to have been destroyed by several earthquakes after the 2nd century BC.
comedy	Built as a tomb to King Mausolus, a humorous form of drama that often includes slapstick and satire
Tragedy	Dramatic play dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character.
Colluses of Rhodes	a statue of the Greek Titan Helios, erected in the city of Rhodes on the Greek island of Rhodes
Lighthouse of Alexandria	The tower erected there guided mariners at night, through its fire, as well as being a landmark by day.
Alexander the Great	He set up Greek colonies to spread Greek culture; set up largest empire of his time.
Aristotle	Philosopher who became the teacher of Alexander the Great.
Europe	Continent where Greece is located.
King Phillip II	King of Macedonia; father of Alexander and killed by his wife.
Mt Olympia	What is the name for the highest peak of central Greece?(also the home of the gods)
Troy	Major trading city in Asia Minor; site of a 10 year war.
Tyranny	Rule in a mean way