OCR GCSE Ancient History key terms

A region of Greek cities on the western coast of Asia Minor, in modern-day Turkey.

The uprising of Ionian Greek cities against Persian rule, beginning in 499 BC and defeated in 494 BC.

The equal right of citizens to speak in the Athenian Assembly.

An Egyptian goddess associated with magic, healing and protection; in Egyptian mythology she was the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus.

Equality before the law for citizens. Maeandrius offered this at Samos but withdrew his offer rather than establishing a lasting alternative to tyranny.

A claim to supreme rule over Asia, demanded by Alexander following his victory over Darius III at Issus in 333 BC.

A male guardian who represented a woman’s interests in legal and family matters in ancient Athens, such as her father or another male relative.

An alliance of Latin towns which opposed Rome during the early Republic.

The personal qualities and decisions through which a commander directs, organises and motivates an army.

The alliance of Greek states established by Philip II in 337 BC, through which he obtained authority to wage war against Persia in the name of Greece.

A traditional story which may preserve historical memories but whose details cannot necessarily be verified.

A major unit of the Roman army whose legionary soldiers were Roman citizens.

The recognised right to rule.

A person recognised as having a valid claim to inherit a position or property. In a royal family, questioning an heir’s legitimacy could threaten their claim to the throne.

A liquid offering poured out in honour of a deity.

An attendant of a Roman magistrate who carried symbols of authority and could enforce orders, including arrest and punishment.

Attendants who accompanied and protected a Roman ruler; Romulus was traditionally assigned 12.

Written accounts used to investigate the past, including histories that may have been composed long after the events they describe.

A written account from the ancient world, such as a history or biography, used as evidence about the past.

A Roman historian whose History of Rome gives a detailed narrative of the Second Punic War, written long after the events it describes.

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

Fortifications connecting Athens with the coast and its ports, including Piraeus and Phaleron.

A ritual purification. Livy describes Servius purifying the assembled citizen army through sacrifice at the completion of the census.

A five-year period associated with the Roman census; the plural is lustra.

The background, traditions and identity inherited from earlier generations; Cleopatra belonged to a Macedonian ruling family.

The ‘master of horse’, normally the dictator's subordinate military commander.

An elected Roman public official who exercised governmental authority; consuls were the Republic’s leading magistrates.

A member of a group associated with religious ritual; the plural is magi. Darius described Gaumata as a magus.