Homer
a blind poet who wrote the Oddessey
City -State (Polis)
a political unit that included a city and it’s surrounding lands and villages
Acropolis
highest and most fortified point within a Greek city-state
Monarchy
government in which a king or queen exercises central power
Aristocracy
government headed by a privileged minority or upper class
Oligarchy
government in which ruling power belongs to a few people
Democracy
government in which the people hold ruling power
Logic
rational thinking
Rhetoric
the art of skillful speaking
Hellenistic
an age based on Greek, Persian, Egyptian and Indian culture after Alexander the Great died
Republic
system of government in which officials are chosen by the people
Patrician
member of the landholding upperclass in ancient Rome
Plebeian
member of the lower class in ancient Rome including farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders
Latifundia
huge estates bought up by newly wealthy Roman citizens
Messiah
savior sent by god
Pope
head of the Roman-Catholic church
Heresy
religious belief that is contrary to the official teachings of a church
Mercenary
solider serving in a foreign army for pay
Renaissance
a time of creativity and change in many areas-political, economic, social, and cultural
Humanism
an intellectual movement at the heart of the Italian renaissance that focused on worldly subjects rather than religious issues
Humanities
the subjects taught in ancient Greek and Roman schools – grammar, rhetoric, poetry, and history
Perspective
Artistic technique used to give drawings and paintings a three-dimensional effect
Vernacular
everyday language of ordinary people
Utopian
describes any ideal society
