Unit 4: Ancient Greece Vocab

City-state  A political unit that includes a town or a city and the surrounding land controlled by it.

Peninsula  A body of land that is surrounded by water on three sides.

Citizen  By definition, someone who has the right to live in a country because he or she was born there or has been legally accepted as a permanent resident  In Ancient Athens-free males, over 20, who had completed military training.  By definition, someone who has the right to live in a country because he or she was born there or has been legally accepted as a permanent resident  In Ancient Athens-free males, over 20, who had completed military training.

Direct Democracy  A system in which all eligible people vote directly on every issue.

Monarch Somebody, especially a king or queen, who rules a state or territory, usually for life and by hereditary right

Colony  A country or area that is ruled by another country or area.

Conquer  To take control of a place by force.

Evolve  To develop something gradually, often into something more complex or advanced.

Rights  Justified claims or entitlements, or the freedom to do something.

Responsibilities  Somebody or something for which a person or organization is liable/accountable.

Scarcity  A condition of limited resources and unlimited wants

Values  The accepted principles or standards of a person or a group.

Aristocrat  A member of the highest social class in a country.

Comedy  In Athens, plays written to expose the flaws of society. Often satires.

Tragedy  In Athens, plays that usually focused on the hardships faced by Greek heroes.

Philosopher  Someone whose purpose is to search for wisdom and knowledge. They often seek to explain the principles of existence & reality.

Polytheism Believing in the existence/reign of more than one god.

Mythology  A group of ancient stories about heroes or supernatural beings; often attempts to explain the origins of natural phenomena or aspects of human behavior.