Western Classical Vocabulary Review

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Polis

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The early Greek City-State, consisting of a city or town and its surrounding countryside

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Democracy

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“The rule of many”, government by the people, either directly or through their elected representatives

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Hellenistic Era

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The age of Alexander the Great; period when the Greek language and ideas were carried to the non-Greek world

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Republic

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A form of government in which the leader is not a king; he’s supposed to represent the people. In a republic certain citizens have the right to vote for representatives

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Patrician

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A wealthy, powerful landowner

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Plebeian

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In the Roman Republic, a social class made up of minor landholders, craftspeople, merchants, and small farmers

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Pax Romana

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200 years of peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire, starting with Augustus Caesar in 27 B.C. and ending in 180 A.D. with Marcus Aurelius

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Roman aqueducts

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built to carry fresh water from distant sources into cities and towns, helping people have clean water for drinking, bathing, and cooking. They used gravity and advanced engineering to support public health and daily life across the Roman Empire.

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Roman road system

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built to help soldiers, traders, and messengers travel quickly across the empire. As a result, it improved communication, boosted trade, and helped Rome control its vast territories more effectively.

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Roman Colosseum

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built to entertain the public with gladiator fights and other events, showing the power and wealth of the empire. As a result, it became a symbol of Roman engineering and culture, while also distracting citizens from political problems.