Ancient Greek Terms

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city-state

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A city with its own traditions, government, and laws; both a city and a separate independent state.

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helots

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Ancient Spartan term for slave

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agora

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A public market and meeting place in an ancient Greek city.

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Acropolis

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A high, rocky hill on or near which early people built cities.

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aristocrat

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A member of a rich and powerful family.

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tyrant

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A ruler who takes power with the support of the middle and working classes; not necessarily cruel or violent

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democracy

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A form of government in which citizens govern themselves.

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Oligarchy

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A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.

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Philosopher

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A person who uses reason to understand the world; in Greece, the earliest philosophers used reason to explain natural events.

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Hellenistic

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Describing Greek culture after the death of Alexander the Great, including the three main kingdoms formed by the breakup of Alexander’s empire.