| A | B |
|---|
| Minoans | an ancient Greek civilization that built strong ships, worshipped bulls, and developed on the island of Crete |
| Myceneans | an ancient Greek civilization that devleoped on the mainland of Greece and established colonies in and around the Aegean Sea |
| Minotaur | half man, half bull who lived in the labyrinth on the island of Crete |
| oligarchy | system of government where power is held by a small group of people |
| monarchy | system of government where ultimate power is held by a king or queen |
| Dark Ages | 300-year period when the Peloponnesus was overrun by barbarians |
| odyssey | a long, adventurous journey |
| city-state | these Greek cultural centers were ruled independently and often competed and battled against one |
| democracy | system of government begun in Athens around 510 BC in which leaders are chosen through election |
| Homer | blind poet who retold the stories of the ancient Greek heroes |
| tyrant | a charismatic leader who rises to power from the lower classes, takes power by force, and often has a heart for the commoners and workers |
| Trojan War | this 10-year war, fought between the Greeks and Trojans, ended with a clever trick involving a wooden horse |
| Persian War | two rival city-states joined forces to defeat a larger empire in this war |
| Minos | this famous king kept a monster in a maze beneath his palace |
