OCR GCSE Ancient History key terms

A people whom Cyrus attempted to conquer on his final campaign, ruled by Queen Tomyris in Herodotus’ account.

The Roman officer who served as a dictator’s deputy.

The Roman dictator’s subordinate deputy, who could take command in the dictator’s absence.

The kingdom of the Medes, ruled by Astyages before Cyrus defeated him; its capital was Ecbatana.

To submit to or support Persia, particularly during the conflicts between Persia and the Greek city-states.

An Athenian measure, associated with Pericles and usually dated to about 432 BC, excluding Megarians from Athenian markets and harbours controlled by Athens.

Soldiers hired to fight for payment rather than because they were citizens of the state employing them.

A soldier hired to fight for payment rather than serving as a citizen soldier of the state employing them.

A foreign resident of Athens who did not possess Athenian citizenship.

A sculptured rectangular panel between the triglyphs in a Doric temple’s decorative band.

Prestige and authority gained through success in warfare.

The organisation of supplies, money, transport and materials needed to keep an army operating.

The dishonest taking or misuse of money entrusted to someone, especially public funds.

Payment for public service in Athens, including the jury pay introduced by Pericles.

A Roman measure of capacity used for commodities such as grain; the plural is modii.

An artificial causeway built out into water; Alexander constructed one towards the island city of Tyre.

A system of government in which a king or queen rules.

An economy in which money is used to pay for goods, services and labour, rather than relying entirely on direct exchange.

The confidence, enthusiasm and willingness of troops to continue carrying out their task.

An interpretation which explains behaviour through judgements about virtues, faults and self-control.

A picture or pattern made by arranging small pieces of stone, tile or glass, often used to decorate floors.

A reason for acting; in an assassination investigation, a motive explains why someone might want the ruler dead but does not prove involvement.

A collective revolt by soldiers against their commanders or military authority.

A Babylonian historical record written in cuneiform on a clay tablet. It records Astyages’ defeat, his troops’ rebellion and Cyrus’ capture of Ecbatana.

The city established by Hasdrubal the Fair as Qart Hadasht in Iberia, later called Carthago Nova by the Romans; modern Cartagena.

The Greek goddess or personification of victory.

A North African region west of Carthage, whose rival kingdoms supplied important cavalry forces during the Second Punic War.

A gesture of submission or respect towards a superior, such as bowing or prostrating oneself.