OCR • J198 • 1,414 key terms
Abdalonymus
A man of royal blood working as a gardener who was appointed King of Sidon by Alexander, and the true owner of the Alexander Sarcophagus.
From: Visual Battle Narratives: The Alexander Mosaic and Sarcophagus
Ab epistulis
The official role of imperial secretary, which granted writers like Suetonius access to private state archives and letters.
From: Other Literary Sources
Ab Urbe Condita
Meaning 'From the Founding of the City', this is the title of Livy's monumental history of Rome.
From: Livy
Achaemenes
Xerxes' full brother, whom he installed as the new satrap of Egypt to guarantee strict military loyalty.
From: Xerxes' Accession and the Suppression of Revolts
Achaemenid
The royal dynasty to which Darius claimed to belong, named after an ancestral figure called Achaemenes, used to link himself to Cyrus the Great.
From: The Rise of Darius I and the Overthrow of Smerdis
Achaemenid Architecture
A synthetic style of building that deliberately combined elements from conquered lands, such as Ionian stonemasonry and Egyptian crowns, to represent a multicultural empire.
From: Pasargadae and the Death of Cyrus
Achillas
The commander of the Egyptian royal army who supported Ptolemy XIII and besieged Caesar in Alexandria.
From: Cleopatra's Accession and the Ptolemaic Civil War
Achreios
Meaning 'useless'; the specific term Pericles uses to condemn an Athenian who takes no part in the democratic life of the city.
From: Athenian Self-Identity and the Funeral Oration
Acropolis
The fortified 'high city' of Athens, serving as the religious heart of the polis and housing the major temples of Athena and Poseidon.
From: Athenian Festivals and the Significance of the Gods
Acroteria
Decorative ornaments placed at the apex and corners of the roof of a classical building or sarcophagus.
From: Visual Battle Narratives: The Alexander Mosaic and Sarcophagus
Actium myth
The Augustan propaganda narrative that framed the civil war as a righteous defence of Rome against an Eastern, foreign threat.
From: Other Literary Sources
Acute Pancreatitis
A severe inflammation of the pancreas, potentially triggered by Alexander's excessive alcohol consumption at the banquet of Medius.
From: Conflict and Final Days: The Murder of Cleitus and Alexander's Death
Admurciae
The specific area on the Aventine Hill where Ancus Marcius settled the newly conquered Latin population.
From: The Reigns of Tullus Hostilius and Ancus Marcius
Aegae
The ancient ceremonial capital of Macedon, where Philip II was assassinated during a royal wedding.
From: The Assassination of Philip II
Aegis
A mythological fringed cloak associated with Zeus, used in portraiture to denote divine protection and favour.
From: Archaeological Sources
Aetiology
A myth or story intended to explain the origin of a name, custom, or institution, such as Romulus explaining the name 'Rome'.
From: Historical Evidence for the Regal Period
Agema
The elite 300-strong Royal Squadron of the Companion Cavalry.
From: Composition, Weapons and Armour of the Macedonian Army
Agenorium
A shrine dedicated to the founder of Tyre, which served as the final defensive rallying point for the Tyrians during the siege.
From: Battle Tactics and Siege Warfare
Age of Cronos
A mythological golden age of peace and prosperity, used by ancient writers to describe the reign of Peisistratus.
From: The Nature and Structure of Peisistratid Rule
ager publicus
'Public land' confiscated by the Roman state from rebellious allies as punishment.
From: Strategic Failures and Logistical Challenges
Agger
A large defensive mound or rampart of earth built to protect a city.
From: The Reign of Servius Tullius: Reforms and Omens
Agoge
The rigorous, mandatory state-sponsored education and military training program for all male Spartan citizens.
From: Athenian Self-Identity and the Funeral Oration
Agon
A formal debate or contest between two characters, central to the structure of Old Comedy.
From: Aristophanes: Social and Political Commentary
Agora
The central public square in an ancient Greek city, serving as the primary hub for civic, social, and commercial activity.
From: Foundation Cities and the Return Journey
Agrianes
Elite javelin-throwers from Thrace who specialized in skirmishing and fighting in rugged, mountainous terrain.
From: Battle Tactics and Siege Warfare
Agrianians
Elite light infantry skirmishers from Paeonia who specialised in throwing javelins and fighting in rugged terrain.
From: Composition, Weapons and Armour of the Macedonian Army
Ahuramazda
The supreme Zoroastrian god, whom Xerxes frequently credited in inscriptions for granting him the kingship.
From: Xerxes’ Building Projects and the Battle of Eurymedon
Aitia
The true, underlying psychological or strategic causes of a historical event or conflict.
From: Polybius
Akinakes
A short sword or dagger used by Persian infantry in close-quarters combat.
From: The Persian Invasion of Greece and Military Organisation
Akitu
The traditional Babylonian New Year festival, which required the king to legitimise his rule by 'taking the hand' of the god Marduk.
From: Xerxes' Accession and the Suppression of Revolts
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