History key terms

The nationality category introduced by the British Nationality Act 1948 for people connected with the United Kingdom and its colonies.

Membership of a political community, bringing recognised rights and obligations. Granting conquered peoples Roman citizenship helped incorporate them into the Roman state.

A woman belonging to the Athenian citizen community by descent. Her status mattered for her children’s citizenship, but did not give her the political rights exercised by male citizens.

An Athenian festival honouring Dionysus, with theatrical competitions alongside processions and religious ceremonies.

Organisations that regulated particular crafts and trades in the City of London.

An independent community consisting of a city and its surrounding territory, with its own government.

The responsibilities expected of a member of a political community, such as participating in public affairs and defending the city.

Measures intended to protect civilians from attack and help them cope with its consequences, including shelters and emergency assistance.

Deliberately breaking a law or refusing to obey an official requirement as a form of protest.

People who are not members of the armed forces.

Freedoms such as freedom of speech, conscience, assembly and association, which protect people’s ability to express beliefs and organise.

Rights protecting people's equal treatment and participation in society, including access to education, employment and voting.

A war between opposing groups within the same country.

A Roman administrative community based on a territory and its people, often corresponding to a former tribal territory in Britain.

A person who argues that they have a right to a position, such as the throne.

A declaration that a ruler or state has the right to govern a territory; it does not necessarily mean that effective control has been established.

A Highland social group organised around a chief and ties of family and loyalty. Chiefs could exercise authority over land, followers and local justice.

Four parliamentary acts passed between 1661 and 1665 to enforce Anglican conformity and restrict religious dissent.

Conflict between social classes with opposing interests. Mao believed continuing class struggle was necessary to prevent capitalism returning after the communist revolution.

Mercy that reduces or removes a punishment.

People holding religious offices in the Church, including priests and bishops.

The requirement that priests remain unmarried and abstain from sexual relations.

A person linked to a powerful patron by a relationship of protection and support, which could include supporting the patron’s preferred candidates in elections.

A ruler who retained a kingdom while depending on Roman support and serving Roman interests.

A territory governed by a local ruler who acknowledges Roman supremacy and cooperates with Rome, rather than being administered directly by a Roman governor.

A monarch whose alliance with Rome offered some protection, but who was expected to support Roman interests, including supplying military assistance.

A king or queen whose position depends partly on Roman support and who is expected to assist Rome, including with military supplies.

A ruler who retained local authority while supporting Rome and receiving Roman protection.

A method of building a wooden boat in which neighbouring hull planks overlap along their edges, helping to strengthen the hull.

Rome’s great sewer, developed from earlier drainage works; Livy describes its construction as an underground tunnel under Tarquinius Superbus.