Classics key terms

An association of people working in the same trade, such as bakers or blacksmiths; some Roman guilds arranged funerals for their members.

The opening course of a Roman dinner, containing foods intended to stimulate the appetite, such as eggs, olives and lettuce.

A religious specialist who examined the entrails of sacrificed animals to interpret divine signs.

A built fireplace used for a fire inside a building; Mycenaean megara typically had a large circular hearth.

A large-scale animal sacrifice, traditionally of one hundred cattle.

The pursuit of pleasure; Plutarch uses it critically when discussing Theseus’ motives for taking women.

The legendary daughter of Zeus and Leda, celebrated for her beauty. She married Menelaus and is also known as Helen of Sparta.

A member of the unfree population subjected to Spartan rule, whose agricultural and domestic labour supported the Spartan citizen population.

An unfree agricultural population under Spartan control whose work on estates supported Spartan citizens; helots could also be required to undertake military duties.

An ancient Greek hero, the son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene, whose myths include twelve extraordinary tasks. The Romans called him Hercules.

The Roman name for the Greek hero Heracles, renowned for his extraordinary strength and battles against monsters.

A distinguished figure whose courage, skill and actions establish their standing. Homeric heroism also involves reputation, leadership and relations with others.

Lasting honour or fame gained through outstanding deeds, especially success and courage in battle.

A courtesan or paid female companion in ancient Greece, associated with sexual services, entertainment and sometimes educated conversation. The plural is hetairai; the label did not establish whether a woman was free or enslaved.

A line of verse with six metrical feet; dactylic hexameter became the standard metre of Roman verse satire.

A female Greek priest responsible for religious rituals, including sacrifice.

A male Greek priest responsible for religious rituals, including sacrifice.

The political circumstances, social values and cultural traditions surrounding the creation of a work.

The question of how far a narrative represents people, events or conditions that actually existed in the past.

A historical narrative explaining past events, often through selected stories, speeches and moral judgements rather than simply recording facts.

An extended comparison, usually using ‘like’ or ‘as’, which develops several points of similarity between the action and another scene.

The respect or esteem given to a person, and the standards of conduct thought worthy of that respect.

A heavily armed infantry soldier who fought on foot.

A formation of heavily armed Greek infantry fighting close together in ranks.

The family, servants, possessions and property that make up a household; in the Odyssey, defending the household also means defending its authority and reputation.

Overbearing pride or insolence expressed in behaviour that disregards proper limits, especially the difference between mortals and gods. It is more than ordinary confidence.

The capacity of people to make choices and take actions that affect events, even when circumstances constrain them.