Greek Society: A Brief Glossary
polis = city-state
Structure of the polis: (roughly in ascending order)
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Barbarians: non-greeks.
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Slaves
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Helots (state-slaves, particularly in Sparta)
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Debt-serfs (except where prohibited by law, like post-Solon Athens)
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Metics (merchants, foreigners and freedmen)
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Free people (men, women and children).
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Citizens (usually wealthiest land- and slave-owner men).
Features of the polis:
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Acropolis (high ground, for defense and worship of chief deity)
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Agora (meeting-place and market)
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Stoa (colonnades/porticos; gathering spots)
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Gymnasiums and Stadiums
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theaters
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shrines (eventually temples)
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No palaces
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few formal streets
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no city planning to speak of.
Political features: (no single standard; description is of Athens, which is both leader and typical)
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isonomia (Equality before the law)
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demos (masses)
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aristoi (“the best”)
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oligoi (the few)
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tyranny (rule by an illegitimate dictator instead of a legitimate monarch)
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ostrakon (pottery shards on which ostracism votes were taken)
Daily Life:
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pedagogue (educational slave for older boys)
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symposium (drinking party, with lots of poetry and philosophy; competitive)
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hetaerae (slave-courtesans, often educated and entertaining)
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Hoplite (soldiers in Greek armies, heavily armed and armored, close formation tactics)
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Oikos (household)
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gynaeceum (women’s quarters)
© 2003 — Jonathan Dresner
