OCR GCSE Ancient History key terms

A seizure of political power by force rather than through the recognised process of succession.

Body armour protecting the torso.

The worship of a deity through religious beliefs, ceremonies and practices.

An attendant responsible for serving a ruler’s drinks; this position provided close access to the ruler.

Divisions of the Roman citizen population. Tradition credited Romulus with organising three tribes, each containing ten curiae.

An inscribed clay cylinder recording Cyrus’ account of his conquest of Babylon and his actions as its ruler. It presents his kingship as approved by the Babylonian god Marduk.

An official belonging to a board of ten men. The Roman decemvirs were appointed to produce written laws and exercised consular powers.

A board of ten officials; in this context, the officials appointed to draw up Rome’s written laws and exercise governmental authority.

An object offered to a deity, often to honour the deity or commemorate an achievement.

The abandonment of one side in a conflict to join its opponent.

The presentation or treatment of a person as a god.

An alliance led by Athens to campaign against Persia, whose treasury and meetings were originally located on Delos. Members contributed money or ships.

A local Athenian community in which citizens were registered.

A system of government in which the people exercise political power. In Pericles’ account, Athenian democracy favours the majority rather than the few; this does not establish that every inhabitant possessed equal political rights.

The Athenian citizen body, or, in some political arguments, the ordinary people contrasted with the wealthy elite.

A Roman silver coin used here as a unit of monetary value; the plural is denarii.

The forced removal of people from their homeland to another place.

The abandonment of a military force by its soldiers; joining the enemy also transfers manpower and support to the opposing commander.

A band worn around the head as a sign of royal status.

A Roman magistrate appointed temporarily with exceptional authority to deal with a particular task or emergency.

A Roman office granting exceptional powers to an individual. Caesar’s dictatorship concentrated authority in his hands; he was not a Roman emperor.

An Athenian festival in honour of Dionysus.

Managing relations through negotiation, agreements and alliances rather than relying only on warfare.

A temple layout with two rows of columns surrounding the central building.

A system in which eligible citizens debate and vote on decisions themselves rather than choosing representatives to make all decisions for them.

A choral song and dance performed in honour of Dionysus.

The examination of an Athenian official’s eligibility before entering office.