Classics key terms

Newly wealthy people, especially when their behaviour is contrasted with established ideas of social refinement.

A nurse, including a wet-nurse who breastfed an infant. In Roman households, this role could be performed by an enslaved woman.

A solemn promise invoking divine witnesses. Breaking it could be understood as a religious as well as a personal offence.

The front face of a coin; the other face is its reverse.

The two sides of a coin: the obverse is conventionally its front and the reverse its back.

Julius Caesar’s adopted heir and Antony’s rival, who defeated Antony and Cleopatra and later became Rome’s first emperor under the name Augustus.

A circular opening, such as the opening at the summit of the Pantheon’s dome.

A lyric poem with an organised verse form; Horace’s odes adapt Greek poetic forms into Latin.

Food, objects or other gifts presented to gods or the dead as part of a religious ritual.

An ancient Greek household, including its family, dependants, property and economic resources.

A sign interpreted as indicating a future event, such as the badly burning wedding torch in the story of Orpheus and Eurydice.

A rear chamber or porch of a Greek temple. In the Parthenon, the western chamber was used to store public funds.

A Roman law introduced in 215 BC and repealed in 195 BC, restricting women’s possession of gold, multi-coloured clothing and carriage travel.

An officer assisting a Roman centurion, with responsibilities that included training soldiers.

A message believed to come from a god, often giving advice or a prediction.

The creation of poetry in performance using inherited phrases and patterns that fit its metre, rather than simply reciting a fixed written text.

The passing of stories or poetry between generations through spoken or sung performance.

The ability to speak effectively and persuasively, adapting language and arguments to an audience.

The semicircular space between the stage and the audience seating in a Roman theatre; it could accommodate distinguished spectators.

A story that explains the supposed origin of a name, custom, institution or place.

A female hairdresser in Roman society, often enslaved, who arranged and maintained a woman’s hair.

Leisure or freedom from public business. In Pliny’s ideal, this time could be used productively for reading, writing and reflection rather than inactivity.

A group of connected buildings and spaces used for royal residence, government, storage, production and ceremonial activities in Mycenaean society.

An exercise area associated with activities such as ball games and wrestling, often an open courtyard.

Roman comedies adapted from Greek plays and using Greek settings and dress; the name refers to the pallium, a Greek-style cloak.

An Athenian festival honouring Athena, the city's divine patroness.

The first woman in Greek mythology, created by the gods as Zeus’ punishment for mankind after Prometheus stole fire. Her name means ‘all gifts’.