Ancient Greek Terms

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Date:

Instructions: Test your knowledge of words from ancient Greek civilization, philosophy, and culture

1.
In ancient Greece, what was the 'agora'?
A
A type of garment
B
The central public gathering place and marketplace
C
A temple to the gods
D
A type of ship
2.
What was a 'polis' in ancient Greece?
A
A type of column
B
A political party
C
The police force
D
A city-state with its own government and identity
3.
In Greek philosophy, what did 'logos' primarily mean?
A
Reason, word, or rational principle
B
A brand symbol
C
A mathematical equation
D
A type of logic game
4.
What was an 'oracle' in ancient Greece?
A
A person or place through which a god gave prophecies
B
A spoken speech
C
A type of musical instrument
D
A type of olive oil
5.
In ancient Greek society, what was 'ostracism'?
A
A type of pottery
B
A celebration
C
A bone disease
D
The practice of voting to exile a citizen for ten years
6.
What was a 'hoplite' in ancient Greece?
A
A type of plant
B
A philosopher
C
A type of frog
D
A heavily armed foot soldier who fought in formation
7.
In Greek culture, what was a 'symposium'?
A
A social gathering for drinking, music, and intellectual discussion
B
A sports arena
C
A type of sculpture
D
A medical condition
8.
What did 'demokratia' mean in ancient Athens?
A
A type of architecture
B
A military strategy
C
Rule by the people (democracy)
D
A type of ceremony
9.
In ancient Greece, what was 'hubris'?
A
A musical instrument
B
A type of wine
C
Excessive pride or arrogance, especially defying the gods
D
A greeting
10.
What was an 'amphora' in ancient Greece?
A
A type of armor
B
An amphitheater
C
A two-handled storage jar for wine or olive oil
D
A musical chord
11.
In Greek philosophy, what did 'eudaimonia' refer to?
A
A mathematical concept
B
Happiness, flourishing, or living well
C
A type of demon
D
A type of government
12.
What was a 'trireme' in ancient Greece?
A
A triangle-shaped building
B
A three-part poem
C
A three-headed creature
D
A warship with three rows of oars on each side
13.
In Greek culture, what were the 'Olympics' originally?
A
A musical festival
B
A mountain range
C
A type of council meeting
D
Athletic competitions held every four years to honor Zeus at Olympia
14.
What did 'arete' mean in ancient Greek?
A
A type of area
B
A type of bread
C
An arrow
D
Excellence or virtue, the highest potential of a person
15.
In ancient Greece, what was the 'Acropolis'?
A
A fortified hilltop serving as a city's religious and cultural center
B
A type of crop
C
A marketplace
D
A city's port

Answer Key

Question 1

B. The central public gathering place and marketplace

Question 2

D. A city-state with its own government and identity

Question 3

A. Reason, word, or rational principle

Question 4

A. A person or place through which a god gave prophecies

Question 5

D. The practice of voting to exile a citizen for ten years

Question 6

D. A heavily armed foot soldier who fought in formation

Question 7

A. A social gathering for drinking, music, and intellectual discussion

Question 8

C. Rule by the people (democracy)

Question 9

C. Excessive pride or arrogance, especially defying the gods

Question 10

C. A two-handled storage jar for wine or olive oil

Question 11

B. Happiness, flourishing, or living well

Question 12

D. A warship with three rows of oars on each side

Question 13

D. Athletic competitions held every four years to honor Zeus at Olympia

Question 14

D. Excellence or virtue, the highest potential of a person

Question 15

A. A fortified hilltop serving as a city's religious and cultural center

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