OCR GCSE Ancient History key terms

An event interpreted as a sign of what will happen in the future.

Signs interpreted as messages from the gods about whether a proposed action would succeed or receive divine approval.

A fortified settlement in Iron Age Europe; the plural is oppida. Such settlements could be important centres of local power.

A message believed to come from a god, often delivered through a religious sanctuary or priestess.

Accounts of the past passed between people and generations by word of mouth.

The skill or practice of public speaking.

An Athenian vote that could send a citizen into exile for ten years without a criminal conviction.

A piece of broken pottery on which a citizen wrote the name of the man he wished to have ostracised. The plural is ostraka.

To move around the side of an enemy formation so that it can be attacked from the side or rear.

Moving troops around the side of an enemy formation to attack a position less protected than its front.

A Roman victory ceremony of lower status than a full triumph.

A more powerful ruler to whom another ruler owes allegiance.

Bringing an area under control by ending or suppressing resistance. It does not necessarily mean that its inhabitants willingly accepted Roman rule.

A religious festival held in Athens in honour of Athena, including competitions such as the torch race mentioned in Aristophanes’ Frogs.

A sacred building dedicated to Athena Parthenos on the Athenian Acropolis, begun in 447 BC.

A powerful kingdom east of Rome’s territories in Syria which Antony intended to invade.

Cyrus’ royal capital and residence, containing palaces, gardens and monumental buildings, and associated with his burial.

The legal authority of a Roman father over members of his household.

A member of Rome’s privileged hereditary social order, whose families dominated political authority in the traditional account of the early Republic.

Members of Rome’s privileged aristocratic families, who dominated the early Republic’s political leadership.

An influential protector who provided support in return for loyalty or services. Ptolemy XII regarded Pompey as his Roman patron.

The use of gifts, favours or appointments to build relationships of support and obligation.

A god or goddess believed to have a special protective relationship with a particular community.

A goddess whom a person or ruler especially associates with their protection and authority.

A disputed formal peace agreement between Athens and Persia, sometimes dated to about 449 BC rather than immediately after Eurymedon.

An enslaved attendant who accompanied and supervised a child, including on journeys to school. Calling Fabius Hannibal’s pedagogue mocked him for following Hannibal rather than fighting him.

The triangular space beneath the sloping roof at either end of a Greek temple, often filled with sculpture.