1195abacus A device used for making calculations by sliding
beads or counters along rods attached to a board.
abax A fl at board with vertical columns, used for calcula-
tion; the Greek version of the abacus.
ablution vessel A vessel fi lled with alcoholic, herb-infused,
or other liquids for physical purifi cation before encoun-
ters with spirits.
acephalous society Human group in which there is no des-
ignated political leader.
acrophonic notation A Greek system of numbering using
letters to represent the initial sounds of numbers.
acropolis Literally, “high city,” which was in many Greek
cities the central, elevated, and fortifi ed part of the
town.
acupuncture A Chinese medical practice in which nee-
dles are inserted into various points in the body to free
blocked energy, bringing the yin (the female principle)
and the yang (the male principle) back into balance in
the attempt to cure injury or illness.
adobe Bricks made of sun-dried mud and used for con-
structing buildings.
adze A bladed tool that is used to smooth wood.
aedes To ancient Romans, any site where a deity dwelled.
aedile In ancient Rome, a plebeian offi cial in charge of vari-
ous of Rome’s public works and functions, among them,
streets, traffi c, water supply, and markets and the organi-
zation of religious festivals and cult observances.
aerarium Th e Roman treasury.
ager publicus Public land confi scated from Rome’s enemies
t hat cou ld be leased by Roman citizens for farming, graz-
ing herds, or performing other activities.
agger Rampart or embankment; the sloping of a Roman
road from a high point in the center to a lower point at
the roadsides to facilitate drainage.
agni Indian word for “fi re,” one of the three basic elements
described in the early Upanishads, or religious texts of
Hinduism.agora An open space in a Greek town or city, serving as
a marketplace and a political forum; typically the main
business district.
agrarian Characterized by farming.
agropastoral subsistence A livelihood based on a combi-
nation of farming and herding, oft en involving migra-
tion of herds among pasturelands.
aguada Small water reservoir lined with clay in the ancient
Americas.
ahauob Mayan term for nobility.
ahaw Mayan word meaning “lord” or “king.”
aivan A type of veranda, or open-air entrance hall that
leads into a reception hall.
akhet Th e inundation, or fl ooding of the Nile River, which
ran roughly from July to December.
ala (pl. alae) Open rooms off the atrium of a Roman house,
used for storage or work.
alchemy Th e quest to create sought-aft er substances, such
as artifi cial gold or an elixir of eternal life, by experimen-
tally combining chemicals or minerals or both.
alfa A wild grass (Stipa tenacissima) used for weaving.
alliteration Th e repetition of the initial sound of one or
more words in a line of verse.
alloy A combination of two or more pure metals.
altiplano A high plateau or plain.
ambergris A waxy material originating from the innards
of sperm whales.
amelu A class of patricians in Babylonia that also included
skilled artisans.
amphitheater A large, oval-shaped, freestanding Roman
structure designed for the staging of gladiatorial contests
and other spectacles.
amphora A ceramic vase with two handles used in the an-
cient world to transport and store wine, oil, olives, and
other goods.
amulet A charm, typically carved or engraved with a magi-
cal incantation to ward off evil.Glossary
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