OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation key terms

The turning posts at the ends of a Roman racetrack’s central barrier.

A change of physical form, such as Circe’s magical transformation of men into pigs.

A comparison that describes one thing as another without explicitly using ‘like’ or ‘as’.

A resident foreigner living in Athens, who could serve as a paid rower or be called up in an emergency levy.

Cunning intelligence or resourcefulness, used to solve problems through planning, deception and adaptable judgement.

An individual panel in a Doric frieze, alternating with triglyphs and sometimes carved with a scene.

The honour associated with successful warfare, including defeating enemies, gaining territory and receiving public recognition.

A Roman performance form that could combine speech, movement and comic sketches, usually without masks and with both male and female performers.

Prejudice against or hostility towards women. A literary portrayal may express misogyny by presenting women collectively as deceitful or harmful.

Permission for a defeated gladiator to leave a bout alive; this was not the same as gaining freedom.

A salted grain preparation made by the Vestal Virgins and sprinkled on sacrificial animals and offerings.

The protective herb Hermes gives Odysseus to prevent Circe’s enchantment; it has a black root and a milk-white flower.

A system of government headed by a king or queen.

A regiment in the Spartan army described by Xenophon in his account of about 375 BC; its plural is morai.

An example of behaviour presented for readers to imitate or avoid.

A design or picture formed from small pieces of material, often used to decorate Roman floors.

A gladiator armed with a sword and large shield, with a helmet and leg protection; a common opponent of the thraex.

The Late Bronze Age civilisation of mainland Greece, named after Mycenae; its major palaces were centres of administration, production, military organisation and religion.

A traditional story involving gods, heroes or extraordinary events, which could be retold in different versions.

A female divine spirit associated with fresh water, such as a river or spring.

The main room of a Greek temple, which housed the cult statue; cella is the Latin term.

The speed at which a narrative presents events, shaped by the amount of description, dialogue or summary devoted to them.

The methods a storyteller uses to organise and present events, including viewpoint, dialogue, pace and the release of information.

The voice that tells a story. A narrator may participate in events or describe them from outside.

An open-air swimming pool in a Roman bath complex.

A professional officer commanding a squadron of ships in the Roman navy.

The centaur who abducts Deianira, is shot by Hercules with a Hydra-poisoned arrow, and seeks revenge by giving her his blood-soaked tunic as a supposed remedy for waning love.