| A | B |
|---|
| trireme | major sailing vessel |
| hoplite | A heavily armoured soldier who fought on foot. |
| peninsula | Land that is surrounded by water on three sides. |
| colony | A territory that is under the control of another, usually distant, country. |
| polis | A city-state in ancient Greece. |
| agora | The central marketplace in ancient Athens and the site of numerous temples and government buildings. |
| Acropolis | A hilltop fortress in ancient Athens, which include the Parthenon and other famous buildings, where citizens met to discuss affairs of the community. |
| helot | A person captured by Sparta and forced to live as a slave. |
| monarchy | A government headed by a king or queen. |
| tyranny | A type of government in which all power is held in the hands of one ruler, usually a military leader. |
| oligarchy | A government that is run by a few people, usually by members of rich, powerful families. |
| democracy | A government run by the people, in which citizens make their laws. |
| assembly | The basic lawmaking body in a democracy, made up of a group of citizens. |
| Pericles | Athenian leader, about 495 B.C.-429 B.C., led Athens during the height of its power and influence. |
| Herodotus | Greek historian, about 484 B.C.-425 B.C., known as the "father of history"; observed the Persian Wars. |
| myth | A story about the gods and goddesses of a particular people. |
| epic | A long poem that celebrates gods, heroes, or events in a people's past. |
| comedy | A play that is funny and usually has a happy ending. |
| tragedy | A type of play developed by the ancient Greeks, in which life is treated seriously and which usually has a sad ending. |
| philosophy | The study of the nature and purpose of life; the search for truth. |
| Thucydides | About 460-400 B.C. Greek historian; observed and wrote about the Peloponnesian Wars. |
| Philip II | 382-336 B.C. King of Macedonia; father of Alexander the Great. |
| Alexander the Great | About 356-323 B.C. King of Macedonia from 336 to 323 B.C.; conqueror of Greece and Persia. |
| Aristotle | About 384-322 B.C.; Ancient Greek philosopher. |
