Classics key terms

The river-god who competes with Hercules for marriage to Deianira and recounts his defeat in Ovid’s Metamorphoses.

The elevated or upper part of an ancient settlement; literally ‘high city’. It may contain a fortified citadel.

The person to whom a letter or other communication is addressed.

A protective garment associated with Athena, often shown with a Gorgon’s head.

The Trojan leader, son of Anchises and Venus, who settled his people in Italy and founded Lavinium; a legendary ancestor of the Romans.

Virgil’s epic poem about Aeneas. Book 8 includes a description of the Battle of Actium represented on a shield made by the god Vulcan.

The military treasury established by Augustus in AD 6 to provide discharge payments for army veterans, supported by dedicated tax revenues.

A story that explains the origin of a custom, religious practice or feature of the world.

An explanation of the origin or cause of something through a story, such as linking Persephone’s return to the flowering of spring.

The capacity to act, make choices or influence events, even within social restrictions.

Sparta’s organised system of upbringing and education for boys, intended to develop disciplined, physically tough citizens prepared for military service.

A squat storage vessel, often with three small handles near its neck; Mycenaean examples probably held ointments or perfumed preparations.

The city founded by Ascanius and ruled by the royal line from which Romulus and Remus descended.

A four-line verse pattern originating in Greek lyric poetry and adapted into Latin by Horace, including in Odes 3.2.

A group of states or forces cooperating against a common enemy. The Greek alliance at Salamis contained states with different priorities.

A reference to another story, person or text that brings additional associations into a passage.

A sacred structure on which offerings were made and portions of sacrificial animals were burned for the gods.

The sacred precinct at Olympia containing the Temple of Zeus and other religious structures.

A mythological battle between Greeks and Amazons, a people of female warriors.

A mythical people of warrior women whom Greek stories associated with horse-riding, hunting and warfare, often locating them near the Black Sea.

Fossilised tree resin that can be cut, carved, drilled and polished to make jewellery.

A building with seating surrounding a central arena, used for spectacles such as gladiatorial combat and animal hunts.

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

Deceased members of earlier generations of a family.

The room in an ancient Greek house used for male dining and drinking parties, commonly furnished with couches around its edges.

A short account of an incident, often used to illustrate someone’s character or a moral lesson.

The careful management and care of farm animals, including feeding, breeding, milking and organising a flock.