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GCSE Classical Civilisation Other Guidance • Glossary of Terms Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Contents Introduction 3 Topic 1A – Homer, Odyssey 4 Topic 1B – Livy, Stories of Rome 5 Topic 1C – Athens and Sparta 7 Topic 1D – History of Roman Britain 9 Topic 2A – Greek Tragedy and Drama Festivals 10 Topic 2B – Plautus, The Pot of Gold and The Brothers Menaechmus 12 Topic 2C – Mycenaean Civilisation 14 Topic 2D – Social Life in Rome in the First Century AD 16 Topic 3A – Herodotus, The Persian Wars 19 Topic 3B – Virgil, Aeneid 21 Topic 3C – The Ancient Olympic Games and the Panathenaia 23 Topic 3D – Pompeii and Herculaneum 25 klm Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 1 Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Introduction This glossary provides definitions of some of the key specialist vocabulary in each of the topics in Units 1–3 of the new GCSE Classical Civilisation specification. About 20–30 terms are listed for each topic. Specialist vocabulary may include technical terms used in the study of literature, history, archaeology or politics, as appropriate to the topic. It may also include Greek or Roman names or Greek or Latin terms relevant to the topic in question. This glossary can be used teachers and students. It is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive. However, the terms included may be used in exam papers where appropriate. Furthermore, one of the three strands of quality of written communication which must be assessed in all GCSEs requires students to use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. Students who are familiar with the vocabulary in this glossary and who are able to use it correctly may therefore gain higher marks for quality of written communication. Topics from Unit 4 (Greece and Rome: An Evaluative Study) are not included in this glossary. This unit is assessed by controlled assessment, and students will be expected to look up definitions of relevant specialist vocabulary for themselves as part of their research. 2 Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Topic 1A, Homer, Odyssey Term Definition(s) Achaeans Greeks Aeaea The island where Circe lived Aegis A shield Aeolia The land where Aeolus, god of the winds, lived Antidote Something which stops poison/spells working Ambrosia The food of the gods Charybdis A whirlpool Cyclopes A race of one-eyed giants Divine God-like Epithet A fancy name for an adjective. It usually describes qualities Homer wished to emphasise. Flashback A technique used to report past events House / Halls of Hades The Underworld Ithaca The island which Odysseus ruled Lamentation Signs of grief and sorrow Nectar The drink of the gods Nymph A fairy-like minor goddess Oath A solemn promise Phaeacia The land ruled by Alcinous (the father of Nausicaa) Prophecy A prediction of the future given by a prophet Scylla A six-headed monster which lived in a cave and ate sailors Simile A comparison usually introduced by the words ‘as’ or ‘like’ Sirens Birdlike monster with the heads of women. They sang to lure sailors to their deaths. Sorceress A witch Suitors Men hoping to marry a lady Telepylus The land of the Laestrygonians To sack To plunder and destroy Xenia The custom of guest friendship klm Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 3 Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Topic 1B, Livy, Stories of Rome Term Definition(s) Capitol The Capitoline Hill (one of the seven hills of Rome). It was the site of the temple to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva and was a defensive position. City prefect A temporary deputy of the king or consuls when they were absent from Rome Cloaca Maxima A sewer built by King Tarquin the Proud Consuls The two top magistrates in Rome. They served for one year. Dictator A magistrate appointed for 6 months in an emergency. He had absolute authority. Duumvirs A committee of two men Etruscans The people who lived in Etruria, an area north of Rome Forum The market place in Rome. The senate house was here. Games Shows held in honour of a god. Most commonly they featured gladiators. Gauls People from Gaul, which is modern day France Lictors The magistrates’ attendants. They carried bundles of rods and axes to symbolise the power a magistrate had. Military tribunes Officers of a legion. They were elected by the people. Oracle A place where people could consult Apollo about the future. Answers were given by a priestess called a sibyl. Patricians Members of the upper class of Rome. They were related to the men who had originally settled in Rome with Romulus. Plebeians The ordinary people of Rome Republic The system of government in Rome in which magistrates were elected annually. The people were sovereign and the senate was an advisory body. Senators The noble men of Rome who worked with the king and helped to run the Republic Siege The blockade of a town to stop people leaving and supplies coming in. The aim was to force the town to surrender when its people faced starvation. Spoils of war The treasure and weapons captured from the enemy Tribunes Magistrates who were elected to protect the rights of the common people Vestal Virgin A priestess who kept the sacred flame of Vesta alight Yoke Two spears were put upright into the ground and a third was put on top of them. A defeated army had to walk under the yoke which was humiliating and showed they had been conquered. 4 Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Topic 1C, Athens and Sparta Term Definition(s) Agoge The school Spartan boys attended from the age of seven Agora The market place Andron The men’s area of the house Attica The area of Greece where Athens is situated Chiton A tunic worn by men and women Dowry The money given by a girl’s father to her husband when she got married Grammatistes A primary school teacher Gynaikon The women’s area of the house Helots The slave population of Sparta. They had no legal or political rights. Hetairai High class prostitutes who attended dinner parties Himation A cloak Hoplite A Greek infantry soldier Kerameikos The pottery quarter in Athens Kitharistes A music teacher Krypteia A secret police force which spied on the Helots and killed any they thought might cause trouble Kottabos A drinking game in which men flicked wine at a target Kyrios The male head of the house and family Laconia The area of Greece where Sparta is situated Metics Foreigners who lived in Athens Oikos The house and the people who lived in it Paidagogos A slave who acted as a tutor for the boys of the household and supervised their behaviour Paidonomos A man appointed by the city who ran the agoge. He had absolute authority over the boys and their behaviour and could punish them if they misbehaved. Paidotribes A physical education teacher Perioeci The people of the local towns and villages around Sparta. They governed themselves and fought with the Spartans in battle. Phalanx A rectangular formation of soldiers, normally eight rows deep Rhetoric The art of making speeches Skolia Drinking songs klm Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 5 Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Spartiatai Spartan citizens Sophists Professional teachers who charged for higher education lessons. They taught rhetoric and challenged traditional beliefs. Stylus A pen with a sharp end used to write on wax tablets Symposium An elaborate dinner party with drinking and live entertainment Syssition A group of 15 Spartan men who always ate dinner together. The system helped to promote a feeling of comradeship in the army. 6 Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Topic 1D, History of Roman Britain Term Definition(s) Ala A cavalry unit in the Roman army Auxiliaries A unit of the Roman army made up of 500 or 1,000 men. They were not Roman citizens and were less well equipped than legionaries. They provided cavalry and specialist types of troops. Caledonia Modern day Scotland Celts A race of people who were the native population of Britain at the time of the Roman conquest Centurion An army officer who commanded a century of 80 men Cohort A subdivision of a Roman legion. There were ten cohorts in a legion. Colony A Roman town originally lived in by retired Roman soldiers Client kingdom A kingdom which was allowed self-government but had to follow Roman foreign policy and provide troops when needed Druids British priests who had their headquarters on Anglesey Gaul Modern day France Governor The Roman senator in charge of running the province Imperial freedmen Ex-slaves who worked for the Emperor Legion A unit of the Roman army made up of about 5,300 Roman citizens. Legionaries were infantry soldiers. Prefect An officer in the Roman army Procurator The emperor’s agent in the province. He collected taxes and kept an eye on the governor. Province A country which formed part of the Roman Empire Rampart A bank of earth used as part of fortifications. It usually had a ditch in front of it. Standard A pole displaying the emblems of legion giving its name, number and any honours it had won Tribute Tax paid by a province to Rome Triumph A procession held by a victorious Roman general. He and his soldiers paraded through Rome and showed off the prisoners and treasures they had captured. Veterans Roman soldiers who had served for a long time in the army or had retired klm Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 7 Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Topic 2A, Greek Tragedy and Drama Festivals Term Definition(s) Medea: Aegeus King of Athens Agon Debate between Medea and Jason Chorus Composed of Corinthian women Creon King of Corinth Dialogue Conversation, in one or more lines between characters Dramatic irony Use of language in the play that has different or concealed meanings or interpretations for the speaker and the listener Glauce Daughter of Creon Jason Greek hero famous for returning the Golden Fleece Medea Jason’s ‘wife’ who helped him in his quest for the Golden Fleece Messenger speech Vivid description of deaths of Creon and Glauce Prologue Introduction of play delivered by Nurse of Medea Theatre of Dionysus: Aeschylus Earliest extant Greek Tragic Poet, whose works include the Oresteia Archons Annually elected officials at Athens Chief Archon Highest ranked Archon, responsible among other things for the Dionysia Choregoi Financial sponsors for the plays Chorus Band of singers and dancers performing in front of the stage, reacting to the events that unfold within the play Comedy Dramatic play designed to make audience laugh using a wide range of devices finishing with a celebration and happy ending Dionysia Dramatic Festival held in honour of Dionysus at the end of March Ekkuklema Low platform used for wheeling out the carnage that has occurred within the palace Ephebes Newly trained soldiers, honoured at the Dionysia Euripides Tragic poet, author of Medea Judges One chosen from each of ten tribes to vote for the winning play Logeion Stage from which actors performed Mechane Crane used to lift actors into the air, when representing gods for example 8 Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Orchestra Area in front of the stage from where the chorus performed Priest of Dionysus Man responsible for religious aspects of the festival, given special throne of honour in theatre Proagon Procession of actors, chorus, playwrights and choregoi a few days before the festival Satyrs Light-hearted plays performed after the trilogy of tragedies to provide light relief Skene Back drop for the action of the plays Sophocles Tragic poet, whose works include Oedipus the King Theatron The seating space for the audience, capable of holding 17,000 Tragedy Drama of elevated theme in verse that describes unhappy events and finishes with sad consequences klm Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 9 Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Topic 2B, Plautus, The Pot of Gold and The Brothers Menaechmus Term Definition(s) Anthrax A cook Cook hired by Strobilus for the wedding between Megadorus and Phaedria Congrio Cylindrus Cook in Erotium’s house Dialogue Spoken interaction between characters of the play Erotium Mistress of Menaechmus Euclio Mean-spirited old man who obsessively guards the gold he has found Eunomia Megadorus’ sister Lyconides Eunomia’s son Megadorus Rich neighbour of Euclio Menaechmus Twin abducted as a child from Syracuse to Athens Messenio Slave of Sosicles Peniculus Cadging friend of Menaechmus Phaedria Euclio’s daughter Prologue Speech at beginning of the play that explains the situation of the play Sosicles Twin in search of his long lost brother Staphyla Maid of Euclio Stock characters Range of similar types of characters that appear in each of the plays of Plautus; e.g. the ‘cunning slave’ whose actions bring about the solution of the play Strobilus Steward in the house of Megadorus Roman Customs: Arranged marriage Custom of father deciding who and when his daughter should marry Cooks for hire Hired men to provide food at home e.g. for marriage feast Dowry Sum of money given by the father of the bride to the bridegroom at the time of the marriage Lar Familiaris Household spirit that looks after the affairs of the household Patron/client relationship Richer man providing poorer man with support by way of money or food to ensure the poorer man’s support in whatever way the richer man requires Public handouts Gifts of money given to poorer citizens by politicians or officials, 10 Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 often as a bribe for political support Shrines Small temples set up in the streets for worship Slavery Owning of slaves who do their master’s bidding Comic Effects: Absurdity Ridiculous situations designed to make audience laugh Exaggerated characterisation Larger than life or extreme examples of human nature Interaction with audience Involving audience with actions of the play by either asides or direct speech Mistaken Identity Confusion over characters or events Mock violence Threatening behaviour Lack of morality: Adultery Having a relationship with someone other than your spouse Deceit Pretending something is what it is not Illegitimacy Having a child outside marriage Kidnap Taking another person and keeping them against their will Threatening behaviour Declaring the intent to hurt or punish Violence Use of physical force klm Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 11 Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Topic 2C, Mycenaean Civilisation Term Definition(s) People and places: Achaeans The name given to the Mycenaean Greeks Achilles Champion of the Greek forces at Troy Agamemnon King of Mycenae who was leader of the Greek Forces at Troy Dorians The name given to the Greeks who overthrew the Mycenaeans, instigating a Dark Age for Greece Dörpfeld German architect who helped Schliemann with his excavations at Troy Homer Author of the Iliad and Odyssey Ithaka Homeland of Odysseus Lion Gate Magnificent gateway to the palace at Mycenae Minoans Race of Greeks whose empire stemmed from Crete and whose influence predated that of the Mycenaeans Mycenae City at the centre of the Mycenaean world, ruled by Agamemnon Odysseus Cleverest of the Greeks who fought at Troy whose journey home took him a further ten years after the end of the Trojan War Peloponnese Area of the whole of Southern Greece, named after the mythical hero Pelops Priam King of Troy Pylos Site of Mycenaean palace on the south west of the Peloponnese Schliemann German archaeologist who excavated Troy and Mycenae Tiryns Site of Mycenaean palace close to Mycenae Troy City on North west coast of Turkey besieged by Greeks for ten years Other useful terms: Archaeology The study of ancient cultures through excavating their artefacts Bards Minstrels who by singing the songs of past heroic deeds kept those events alive Beehive tombs Royal tombs built into the side of a hill, so called because of their shape Citadels Fortress that guards and dominates a city Frescoes Paintings on walls, often showing scenes of hunting and warfare 12 Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Iliad Homer’s epic poem centring on the Trojan War and, in particular, the wrath of Achilles and the death of Hector Linear B Type of early Greek writing found on tablets in a range of Mycenaean sites Megaron Central hall that was the core of a Mycenaean palace Metalwork Archaeological items made of metal, in particular bronze, in the form of weapons and jewellery Migration Movements of people, for example the movement of the Dorians that contributed to the overthrow of Mycenaean influence Odyssey Homer’s epic poem recounting the journeys of Odysseus at the end of the Trojan War Oral poetry The tradition of performing traditional songs from memory recalling the great events of the past, usually at the end of a feast by way of entertainment Palaces Royal fortresses built on easily defendable locations which became the centres of Mycenaean society Shaft graves Graves that were sunk vertically into rocky ground, grouped inside a circular wall Tholos Greek name for the beehive tombs klm Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 13 Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Topic 2D, Social Life in Rome in the First Century AD Term Definition(s) Birth: Bulla Lucky charm worn by children around their necks to ward off evil spirits Naming ceremony Held nine days after a boy / eight days after a girl was born; a child was given his / her name along with a lucky charm (bulla) Daily routine: Cena Main meal of the day Garum Fish sauce popular throughout the Roman world Laticlavium Tunic with purple stripe worn by senators Lentaculum Simple breakfast Prandium Light lunch Solae Sandals / slippers Toga Distinctive heavy garment made of wool Deaths and Funerals: Cypress/pine A branch of this was placed outside a house to indicate a death in the family Funeral procession After publication of death these took place with musicians, torchbearers, professional mourners and members of the family Education: Forum Business, legal, administrative, religious and judicial centre of Rome Grammaticus Teacher at secondary level Ludi magister Teacher at an elementary school Ludus Elementary school Paedagogus Greek slave who accompanied a boy to school Rhetor Teacher of art of public speaking Toga Virilis The toga a boy was given at the age of 15 indicating the end of his childhood and the start of manhood Entertainment: Amphitheatre Arena for gladiatorial fights Apodyterium Changing room in the baths 14 Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Bestiarius Type of gladiator who fought against a range of wild animals Caldarium Hot room in the baths Campus Martius Open area across the Tiber where Romans exercised and trained Circus Maximus Arena for chariot racing Colosseum Large amphitheatre in Rome started by the emperor Vespasian Frigidarium Cold plunge bath room Gladiators Men who fought in the arena, strictly with a gladius, a short sword Ludi circenses Gladiatorial contests Metae Turning points on spina of chariot tracks Murmillo A type of gladiator Ova Wooden eggs which were used as lap counters in chariot races Retiarius Gladiator who fought with a net and trident Samnite A type of gladiator Spina Central partition of Circus Maximus Strigil Implement used for scraping and cleaning oil and dust from athletes after exercise Tepidarium Warm room in the baths Thermae The baths Thermopolia Shops or inns that serve food and drinks Thracian Gladiator who fought with small shield and curved sword Marriage / Weddings: Pronuba Bridesmaid who officiated at a wedding Sponsalia Engagement party Religion: Augurs Priests whose duty was to ensure that everything undertaken by the state had the gods approval, which they did by interpreting signs and omens Augustus First Roman emperor, 31BC to 14AD Bacchus Greek god Dionysus whose worship inspired ecstatic followers klm Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 15 Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Christianity Religion that was first drawn to attention of Romans when its followers were persecuted by Nero as scapegoats for the Great Fire of Rome in 64AD Colleges Different divisions of priests Egyptian gods Isis, Osiris and Serapis were generally accepted in the Roman world Emperor worship Means of promoting unity and focal point throughout the empire Etruscans Race whose influence over the Romans led to the building of their first temple and the importance they had towards the art of divination, auspices and augury Lararium Shrine inside the atrium, dedicated to the household spirits the Lares Manes Spirits of the ancestors Mithras God from Persia whose cult became popular with the armies Paterfamilias Head of the Household, responsible for, among other things, the religious observance of the household Pontifex Maximus High priest of the Pontiffs Stoicism Philosophy that promoted the pursuit of highest moral standards while accepting misfortune in an extremely calm way Sybilline Books Books thought to be sent by gods which told Roman priests how to keep Rome safe in dangerous times Vesta Goddess of the Hearth Vestal Virgins Guardians of the flame of Vesta Slaves: Freedman Title of an ex-slave, libertus in Latin Peculium Money saved by a slave to purchase his or her freedom 16 Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Topic 3A, Herodotus, The Persian Wars Term Definition(s) Acropolis A citadel or defendable high part of a Greek city. Especially the Acropolis of Athens Aegina A Greek island state off the west coast of Attica. Aegina was an important naval power. Areopagus A rocky hill next to and smaller than the Acropolis in Athens Athenian general These annually elected magistrates were politicians as well as leaders of the army and navy Attica The territory around Athens which it ruled Barbarian The Greeks called anyone who did not speak Greek and whose language could not be understood ‘barbarian’. It does not mean ‘uncivilised’. Carneia One of Sparta’s most important religious festivals held in honour of Apollo. The Spartan army was not allowed to leave Sparta during this festival. Cithaeron Thebes’ mountain. Thebes is north of the Isthmus of Corinth. Contingent A group of soldiers from a particular city, state or province Hellespont The narrow stretch of water separating Europe from Asia Helots The state-owned slaves of the Spartans Hoplite The Greek foot soldier armed with a large round shield (Hoplon) and spear. He carried a sword to use once the spear broke. He wore a helmet that often restricted visibility and hearing. Body and leg armour might be worn. Isthmus A narrow strip of land, with water on both sides, connecting two larger areas of land. Particularly the Isthmus of Corinth Italy Much of the southern coast of Italy, and around half the coast of Sicily had been inhabited by Greek settlers in new city-states. Lacedaemon Area controlled by Sparta. The name is sometimes used instead of ‘Sparta’. Laurium The site of Athens’ silver mines in southern Attica Magi Wise men who interpret signs for Xerxes Peloponnese The southern part of mainland Greece; the peninsula below the Gulf and Isthmus of Corinth. Sparta was its major city-state. Salamis The island just offshore from Athens’ port city Piraeus Satrap Ruler of each of the twenty provinces of the Persian Empire Talent approximately 26-27 kg Trireme The standard warship of the fifth century BC, rowed by 150-170 oarsmen arranged on three levels klm Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 17 Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Topic 3B, Virgil, Aeneid Term Definition(s) Alba / Long Alba The city founded by Aeneas’ son Ascanius or Iulus. Alba was the city of Romulus and Remus’ mother. Amazon Famous race of warrior-women Barce The old nurse of Dido’s husband. The name is also that of Hannibal’s family’s home city – he is the avenger that Dido calls to fight the Romans in the future. Diana Goddess of hunting, usually carrying a bow and a quiver to hold her arrows Epithet A fancy name for an adjective, it usually describes qualities Virgil wished to emphasise Etruscan sea The Mediterranean Sea off the west coast of Italy Exiles People who have been forced to leave their home cities Fate Destiny cannot be changed. Jupiter explains it and often has to stop other gods from trying to alter it. Flashback A technique used to report past events Gates of war The gates of Janus were closed only when there was peace throughout the Roman world. This happened rarely in Roman history but was done several times by Augustus showing he had restored peace after a long period of civil wars. Iarbas Son of Jupiter and the African king who gave Dido the land to build her city on. He wanted to marry her. Judgement of Paris Paris, a Trojan prince, chose Venus (Aphrodite to the Greeks) as the most beautiful goddess ahead of Juno (Greek Hera) and Minerva (Greek Athena). Latium The area of Italy around the site of Rome; modern Lazio. Its king was Latinus, his daughter was Lavinia. The people spoke Latin. Lavinium City in Italy founded by Aeneas and named after his Italian wife Lavinia Mars God of War and father of Romulus Omen A sign from the gods predicting future or explaining past events Personification The representation of an abstract quality or idea, or the description of an inanimate object as a god or goddess, e.g. Rumour (Book IV), Civil War, Hunger (Book VI). Phoebus Another name of Apollo Phoenicia Modern Lebanon. Tyre was a Phoenician city Priam King of Troy. His headless body lying by the shore in Book II reminded Roman readers of Pompey the Great’s death in Egypt. 18 Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Pygmalion Brother of Dido and King of Tyre River Simois One of Troy’s rivers Romulus Son of Mars and Ilia, priestess-queen of Long Alba, who founded the city of Rome. Remus was his brother. Sceptre A rod that is the symbol of power of a king Sicily The island between Italy and Carthage where Aeneas buried his father and spent time with other Trojans who had escaped from Troy’s destruction Sidonian From Sidon, another Phoenician city Simile A comparison usually introduced by the words ‘as’ or ‘like’ Sychaeus Richest of the Phoenicians, husband of Dido, murdered by Pygmalion To sack To plunder and destroy a city Trojans The people of Troy Tyrians The people of Tyre; also used to refer to Dido’s Carthaginians Westland The name given to Italy by the Greeks; it lies to the west of Greece klm Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 19 Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Topic 3C, The Ancient Olympic Games and the Panathenaia Term Definition(s) Acropolis The defendable, high rocky hill of Athens which was later developed as the religious and cultural heart of the city Altis The religious area of Olympia that contained the temples and surrounded by a wall that marked it off from the rest of the site Athena Polias The name given to Athena in her role as protector of the city (polis) of Athens. The sacred wooden statue of Athena Polias was housed in the Erechtheion Aulos A musical instrument consisting of a single pipe Bouleuterion A building that housed the council. Examples are to be found at both Olympia and Athens. City state Ancient Greeks lived in small city states, independent cities that ruled the area of land around them. The largest in population was Athens with an estimated total population in the fifth century BC of between 250,000 and 600,000. Only around 30-40,000 of these were adult male citizens. Events such as the Olympic Games were some of the few things that united Greeks from different city-states. Colonnade A corridor covered by a roof which is supported on one side by a solid wall and on the other by columns so that it is open to the air. In this way it shelters people underneath from heat and rain. Erechtheion A temple on the Acropolis of Athens completed in 405 BC which was a shrine to numerous gods worshipped by the Athenians, especially Athena Polias Great Panathenaia A festival held in Athens every fourth year. It included sporting and other competitions. Gymnasium The larger practice area at Olympia that was long enough to contain a full length running track, the open area was surrounded by colonnades. Halteres Weights used in the long jump Hellanodikai ‘The Judges of the Greeks’, usually ten of them supervised the Olympic Games Hippodrome An enclosure for horse and chariot-racing Hoplitodromos The ‘race in armour’. Athletes ran in the equipment of a hoplite soldier: helmet, greaves (leg armour), and the large circular hoplite shield (hoplon) Kithara A musical instrument; a seven-stringed lyre Leonidaion The hotel at Olympia for visiting VIPs. Leonidas of Naxos paid for its construction in fourth century BC Olympia The site of the Ancient Olympic Games and Pheidias’ statue of Olympian Zeus. Olympia is in the Peloponnese in southern Greece and is not to be confused with Mount Olympus, the home of the gods, which is in northern Greece. 20 Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Palaestra The smaller practice area used for combat sports and jumping Panathenaia The annual Athenian festival held on the 28th Hekatombaion which was considered to be Athena’s birthday. The Great Panathenaia was a bigger festival held every fourth year. Pankration A combat sport where upright and ground wrestling was permitted along with punching and slapping Parthenon Temple to Athena Parthenos (the Virgin goddess), dedicated in 4437BC Parthenon frieze 160 metre long sculpture depicting scenes from the Panathenaic procession Pediment The triangular section below the roof at each end of a Greek temple. It was usually filled with sculpture telling a story relating to the site of the temple or the god to whom the building was dedicated. Pentathlon Athletic event made up of five individual events Peplos The robe made each year for the statue of Athena Polias Pheidias The sculptor responsible for the statues of Athena in the Parthenon and Olympian Zeus Rhapsode A person who recites epic poetry Stade A distance of 600 Greek feet Stadium An ancient Greek running-track. The one at Olympia measured 600 Olympic feet (600 of Herakles’ feet). The original event, the stade race, was a single length of the stadium. Treasuries Small buildings that looked like little temples; built by individual Greek cities at religious sanctuaries such as Olympia and Delphi. They contained objects of value. Zeus King of the Greek gods in whose honour the Ancient Olympic Games were held klm Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 21 Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Topic 3D, Pompeii and Herculaneum Term Definition(s) Baths: Apodyterium Changing room Caldarium Hot room Frigidarium Cold room with a cold plunge bath Palaestra Exercise area Tepidarium Warm room Colonnade Covered walkway with roof supported on the open side by means of columns Eruption of Vesuvius: Pyroclastic flow/surge Fast-moving and highly destructive flow of gas and rock resulting from the collapse of the eruption column of a volcanic eruption Forum and Businesses: Aediles The two officials responsible for law and order in the town, as well as the supervision of baths, water supply and places of entertainment Basilica Large hall attached to the forum where law courts were held and which was also a meeting place for businessmen Duoviri The two officials responsible for judging law cases Forum Large open space that was the commercial, administrative and religious centre of Roman towns Macellum Food market Graffito, graffiti Writing or pictures drawn, painted or scratched onto surfaces such as walls Houses: Atrium Central hall around which other rooms of the house were arranged. (No real equivalent in modern northern European houses) Compluvium Hole in roof of atrium to let in light and collect rainwater Hortus Walled garden Impluvium Pool for rainwater Lararium Shrine of the household gods Peristylium Garden surrounded by a colonnade Tablinum Study/main reception room used by the head of the family 22 Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. klm Teacher Resource Bank / GCSE Classical Civilisation / Glossary of Terms / Version 1.0 Triclinium Dining room named after the standard arrangement of three couches on which Roman diners reclined Temples: Lares Guardian spirits of a town or family Podium High platform on which Roman temples stood. Temples were normally reached by climbing a flight of steps at the front of the podium. Precinct The area around a temple where public worship took place Theatre and Amphitheatre: Arena Area in which performance took place in a Roman amphitheatre. ‘arena’ is the Latin word for ‘sand’ Bestiarius, bestiarii People who both looked after animals before the show and then hunted them in the arena Cavea The curved and banked seating area of Roman theatres and amphitheatres Murmillo, murmillones Gladiator equipped with sword, shield and helmet decorated like a fish. Often fought the retiarius Orchestra The semi-circular space between the stage and seating in a Roman theatre Retiarius, retiarii A lightly equipped gladiator who fought with a net and threepronged trident. Often fought the murmillo Scaenae The high stage building of a Roman theatre klm Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 23