| A | B |
|---|
| peninsula | an area of land nearly surrounded by water |
| epic | a long poem that tells a story |
| acropolis | a high, rocky hill on or near which early people built cities |
| city-state | a city with its own traditions and its own government and laws; both a city and a separate independent state |
| aristocrat | a member of a rich and powerful family |
| tyrant | a ruler who takes power with the support of the middle and working classes; not necessarily cruel and violent. |
| democracy | a form of government in which citizens govern themselves |
| tribute | a payment made by a less powerful state or nation to a more powerful one |
| immortal | someone or something that lives forever |
| philosopher | someone who uses reason to understand the world or natural events |
| tragedy | a type of serious drama that ends in diaster for the main character |
| agora | a public market and meeting place |
| plague | a widespread disease |
| blockade | the cutting off of an area by enemy forces that closes it to travel and trade |
| barbarian | a person considered to be wild and uncivilized |
| assassinate | to murder for political reasons |
| Hellenistic | describing Greek culture after the death of Alexander the Great |
