LO3

Citizens and Communities: The Greek City-States 

• acropolis- the high fortified citadel and religious center of an ancient Greek town
• hoplite- a heavily armed and armored citizen-soldier of ancient Greece
• phalanx- a unit of several hundred hoplites, who closed ranks by joining shields when approaching the enemy
• monarchy- a state in which supreme power is help by a single, usually hereditary ruler
• oligarchy- a state in which supreme power is held by a small group 
• triremes- massive fighting vessels with three banks of oars, used to ram or board enemy ships
• tyranny- rule by a self-proclaimed dictator
• democracy in ancient Greece, a form of government in which all adult male citizens were entitled to take part in decision making
• helots- non citizens forced to work for landholders in the ancient city-state of Sparta
• aristocrats- members of prominent and long-established Athenian families