Question

1. Identify the meaning of the following words. A. peninsula B. bard C. colony D. polis E. agora F. phalanx G. tyrant H. oligarchy I. democracy J. helot K. ephor L. satrapy M. satrap N. Zoroastrianism O. direct democracy P. representative democracy Q. philosopher

Answer 1

The terms relate to various aspects of ancient Greek and Persian societies, including their geography, political systems, and philosophy. These concepts are foundational to understanding the development of Western civilization. 1) Peninsula: A piece of land, 2) Bard: A poet or singer, 3) Colony: A settlement or territory, 4) Polis: A Greek city-state, 5) Agora: An open public space, 6) Phalanx: A military formation in ancient Greece, 7) Tyrant: A ruler who seized power, 8) Oligarchy: A form of government, 9) Democracy: A form of government, 10) Helot: A serf or slave in ancient Sparta, 11) Ephor: A high-ranking magistrate in ancient Sparta, 12) Satrapy: An administrative division, 13) Satrap: A governor of a satrapy in the Persian Empire, 14) Zoroastrianism: A monotheistic religion founded by the Persian prophet Zoroaster, 15) Direct Democracy: A form of democracy, 16) Representative Democracy: A form of democracy, 17) Philosopher: A person who seeks wisdom and knowledge.

Step-by-step explanation:

Meaning of Key Historical Terms

1. Peninsula: A landmass bordered by water on three sides while connected to the mainland.
2. Bard: A poet, often one reciting epics and associated with a particular oral tradition.
3. Colony: A territory under the immediate complete political control of a state, distinct from the home territory of the sovereign.
4. Polis: A city-state in ancient Greece, especially as considered in its ideal form for philosophical purposes.
5. Agora: A public open space used for assemblies and markets in ancient Greece.
6. Phalanx: A military formation of foot soldiers armed with spears and shields, characterized by a dense, orderly, shoulder-to-shoulder line.
7. Tyrant: In ancient Greece, a ruler who seized power unconstitutionally or inherited such power.
8. Oligarchy: A small group of people having control of a country or organization.
9. Democracy: A form of government in which the people have the authority to choose their governing legislators.
10. Helot: A member of a class of serfs in ancient Sparta, intermediate in status between slaves and citizens.
11. Ephor: One of five senior Spartan magistrates.
12. Satrapy: The territory governed by an official known as a satrap in ancient Persia.
13. Satrap: The governor of a province in ancient Persia.
14. Zoroastrianism: An ancient pre-Islamic religion of Persia which survives there in isolated areas.
15. Direct democracy: A form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly.
16. Representative democracy: A system of government in which all eligible citizens vote on representatives to pass laws for them.
17. Philosopher: A person engaged or learned in philosophy, especially as an academic discipline.