Greek Mythology Vocabulary Flashcards due Monday April 24th Test on Friday April 28th

1. Matriarchal A matriarchy is a society in which females, especially mothers, have the central roles of political leadership, moral authority, and control of property. Example: Some countries live in a matriarchal society.

2. Patriarchal a social system in which the male acts as the primary authority figure central to social organization, and where fathers hold authority over women, children, and property. Example: The United States lives in a Patriarchal society.

3. Agrarian relating to land, land tenure, or the division of landed property Example: A town based around farming is an example of an agrarian community.

4. Areté Skill or talent that a hero possesses. Example: The man or woman of Areté is a person of the highest effectiveness; they use all their faculties: strength, bravery, wit, and deceptiveness, to achieve real results. In

5. Até The hero’s weakness Example: Achilles's ultimate até was his heel.

6. Hubris extreme pride or arrogance Example: Kanye West wasn’t always hubris, until he got too famous.

7. Homer The believed author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, Homer is revered as the greatest of ancient Greek epic poets

8. Epic a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. Example: The Odyssey is known as an epic.

9. Archetype A universally understood symbol, term, or pattern of behavior, a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated. An example of an archetype is Frankenstein whose character influenced many future characters of horror books and movies.

10. Motif Any recurring element in a story that has symbolic significance, or the reason behind actions In drama, motifs may also take the form of repeated music, visual components, or physical movements. The development of motifs in a work of literature often contributes to mood and/or theme.

11. Pandora’s Box The "box" was given to Pandora and it contained all the evils of the world. Curiosity led her to open the box, letting out evil. Spirit of hope remained in the box.

12. Achilles Heal A deadly weakness in spite of overall strength, that can actually or potentially lead to downfall.

13. Nemesis the spirit of divine retribution (revenge) against another person Example: They were beaten in the final by their nemesis.

14. Narcissism Someone who is deemed as egotistic, conceited or selfish.

15. Muse the goddesses of inspiration for literature, science and the arts.

16. Homeric Simile A detailed comparison in the form of a simile that is many lines in length.

17. Oracle A person or agency considered to be a source of wise counsel or prophetic predictions of the future, inspired by the gods.

18. Prophecy Prophecy is a process in which one or more messages that have been communicated to a prophet are then communicated to others.

19. Epithet A descriptive term (word or phrase) accompanying or occurring in place of a name and having entered common usage. Ex: Alexander the Great (An epithet is a glorified nickname.)