OCR GCSE Ancient History key terms

A Roman imperial official responsible for financial administration in a province.

An unusual occurrence interpreted as a sign from the gods, which might require a religious response to restore good relations with them.

Communication intended to shape attitudes, for example by presenting a ruler as legitimate, powerful or victorious.

A category of citizens defined by the value of their property, which affected their military obligations and political influence.

A ritual of obeisance before a ruler. Some Greeks and Macedonians opposed its use before Alexander because they associated such honours with gods rather than human beings.

The background of a source, including its author, date, purpose and circumstances of production.

A territory under direct Roman administration, headed by a Roman governor.

An appeal to the Roman people against a magistrate’s exercise of punitive authority.

The fifty members from one tribe who served in turn as the acting committee of the Athenian Council of Five Hundred.

One of the ten administrative divisions of the Athenian year, during which one tribe’s fifty councillors served as the council’s executive group.

A name indicating that a work has been attributed to Xenophon but is not accepted as his. The author of the work known as the Old Oligarch remains unidentified.

The royal family descended from Ptolemy I that ruled Egypt; Cleopatra VII was its last ruling queen.

A dynasty of Macedonian origin that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great’s death; Cleopatra VII belonged to this ruling family.

An explanation presented publicly to justify an action, which may not reveal all the motives behind it.

The identity a ruler presents publicly through titles, clothing, ceremonies and images, which may differ from their private character.

Military actions intended to punish opposition and discourage further resistance, such as destroying settlements or supplies.

The troops positioned at the back of a moving army to protect it against attacks from behind.

Examining terrain and enemy positions before deciding how to advance or attack.

A pottery technique in which figures retain the reddish colour of the clay against a black background, allowing details to be drawn within the figures.

A person who governs on behalf of a monarch who is absent, too young or otherwise unable to rule personally.

Disorder or resistance within an area, such as disturbances, challenges to political authority or communities abandoning their allegiance.

How far an account can be trusted for a particular claim, judged through its evidence, methods, perspective and consistency.

A sculpture in which figures are carved into or project from a background surface.

The combination or identification of elements from different religious traditions, such as the worship of Sulis Minerva.

Payments demanded from a defeated state to compensate the victor for the costs of war.

The extent to which evidence reflects the experiences of a wider group rather than only a particular individual or social group.

A form of government without a monarch. Rome retained republican offices during Caesar’s lifetime, although powerful military leaders increasingly dominated political decisions.

Troops kept out of the initial fighting so that they can respond to a threat or exploit an opportunity later in the battle.