Greece Vocab #1 - People & Society

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Citizen

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Free male, adult landowners who participate in democracy and fight in war

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Aristocrat

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A member of the elite, upper class that tends to rule society

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Philosopher

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A person who seeks wisdom through knowledge. A "lover of knowledge" who studies the world around them, and questioning the nature of life and the world around them

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Tyrant

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A person who seizes power and rules with absolute authority. A king who abuses their power and abuses the rights of the people

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Ephors

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Leaders of Sparta who shared power with the Kings. Elected from the people and ruled while kings were off at war

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Helots

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Serfs in Sparta. Between slave and citizen. Sometimes used to refer to slaves

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Ostracism

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To shun someone and banish them from the city state

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Zoroastrianism

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Monotheistic religion that originated in Persia (modern Iran). Practiced by Persian emperors and was usually tolerant of other religious beliefs

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Minoans

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Bronze age Greek civilization (1600-1100 BCE). Was the center of the Greek world at that time. Major archaeological site today. Earliest civilization in Greece, on the island of Crete. Built large palaces with colorful frescoes. Declined after Mycenaean invasion c. 1500 BCE

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Oracle

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Someone who could prophecy the future. Most famous was the Oracle of Delphi