Ancient Greece

A settlement, especially a citadel, built upon an area of elevated ground. Acropolis. An acropolis is an ancient Greek fortress or complex built on a high hill for protection and religious activities.

A central public space in ancient Greek city-states. Agora. The agora was the heart of the city where people gathered for political, commercial, social, and cultural activities.

A king of the Macedon and one of history's most successful military commanders. Alexander the Great. He created one of the largest empires in the ancient world by the time he was 30.

A Greek philosopher and polymath, student of Plato. Aristotle. He was an influential thinker who laid foundational work in Western philosophy and science.

A gathering of members who use parliamentary procedure to make decisions. Assembly. In History, an assembly is a group of people meeting to discuss and make decisions or laws, like those in colonial America or the French Revolution.

A goods used in commerce that is interchangeable with other goods of the same type. Commodity. In history, commodities like gold and spices were traded across empires, shaping global trade and economies.

A form of government in which the people exercise the authority of government. Democracy. In history, democracy is when citizens have the power to vote and make decisions about how they are governed.

A long narrative poem celebrating heroic deeds and events significant to a nation. Epic. An epic is a grand story often about legendary heroes and important national events.

A sheltered body of water where ships can be docked. Harbor. In history, harbors have been crucial for facilitating trade, exploration, and naval defense throughout the ages.

Elements of Greek origin combined in various forms with local foreign elements. Hellenism. It is the spread of Greek culture and influence across foreign territories, especially following the conquests of Alexander the Great.

The legendary author of the two epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey. Homer. Homer is an ancient Greek poet who greatly influenced Western literature.

A body of people convened to render an impartial verdict or to set a penalty or judgment. Jury. In history, a jury is a group of citizens who decide the outcome of a court case.

A form of government in which the monarch is head of state. Monarchy. Historically, a monarchy is when a king or queen rules a country.

A form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people. Oligarchy. In history, an oligarchy is when a small group of people, often wealthy or influential, control a country or organization.

A public speaker, especially one who is eloquent or skilled. Orator. In history, an orator is someone like Martin Luther King Jr., known for powerful speeches that inspire change.

An ancient Greek war fought by Athens against the Sparta. Peloponnesian War. The Peloponnesian War was a conflict between Athens and Sparta that lasted from 431 to 404 BC.

A piece of land bordered by water on three sides. Peninsula. In history, peninsulas have often been strategic locations for trade and defense due to their access to waterways.

Greek statesman and general of Athens during its golden age. Pericles. He was a key leader who helped build Athens' democracy and led during its most prosperous and influential period.

A rectangular mass military formation used in Ancient Greek warfare. Phalanx. The phalanx was a tightly packed group of soldiers arrayed in rows with overlapping shields and long spears, forming a formidable unit in battle.

A king of the Macedon and father of Alexander the Great. Philip II. He was a powerful ruler who strengthened his kingdom and set the stage for his son's conquests.

The study of questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy. In History, philosophy is the exploration of fundamental ideas that have shaped human thought over time.

Athenian philosopher and founder of the Platonist school of thought. Plato. Plato was an ancient Greek thinker who greatly influenced Western philosophy and education.

An administrative and religious city center in ancient Greece. Polis. A polis is a city-state in ancient Greece that was the central hub for political, cultural, and religious activities.

A classical Greek philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. Socrates was an ancient thinker known for his method of questioning to explore ideas and beliefs.