oligarchy
Literally “rule by the few,” it denotes a type of government that, unlike democracy, excludes the
majority of citizens from participation, generally restricting political power to a small number of
wealthier citizens.
ostracism
The Athenian practice of holding an election, in which fragments of pottery (ostraka) were used as
ballots (figure 41), to determine whether one prominent political figure should be removed from the
polis for a 10-year period.
Panhellenic
Literally “referring to all (pan-) the Greeks (Hellenes),” often used in connection with the Panhellenic
festivals and games, which were open to all Greeks and only to Greeks, or with reference to
Panhellenism, the idea that what distinguishes Greeks from BARBARIANS outweighs what divides
Greeks from one another.
papyrus
A marsh plant native to Egypt; also, the sheets used as a writing surface made by laying thin strips of
the stem of the papyrus plant side by side, with another layer of similar strips crossing them, and
usually a third layer again parallel to the first, the whole being then soaked in water, pressed together,
and dried (figures 26 and 82).
pediment
The triangular area under the gabled roof, at either end of a Greek temple or similar structure (figure
49), often filled with RELIEF sculpture.
phalanx
A formation of heavily armed infantrymen (HOPLITES) drawn up in close order and carrying spears
and overlapping shields (figure 27).
relief
Sculpture created in such a way that the figures project toward the viewer from a flat background
(figure 50), as on most modern coins, in contrast to carving in INTAGLIO.
sarcophagus
Literally “flesh-eating,” a stone coffin, often embellished with sculptures or bearing inscriptions
(figures 87 and 88).
satrap
The title used to refer to the governor of a formal territorial subdivision (satrapy) of the Persian
Empire.
satyr
An imaginary creature appearing for the most part like a man but with some animal features (the tail,
ears, or legs of a goat or a horse), who inhabits the wilds and has limitless appetites for wine and sex
(figures 31 and 43).
slip
A mixture of water and clay, applied with a brush by Attic potters for decorating their ceramic ware.
sophist
One of a number of specialists in higher education who traveled through the Greek world, beginning
in the fifth century BC, giving public displays of their expertise and offering instruction in a variety of
subjects, particularly formal oratory.
stele