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Greek glossary 

 

This Greek glossary explains ancient Greek words, objects, clothing, weapons, measurements, and mythological terms used throughout A Hero and a Curse by Christopher Wild. It is intended to help readers understand the language and material culture of the world in which the novel is set. 

WORD

MEANING

PRONUNCIATION

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abaton

A sacred dream chamber used for healing

AB-uh-tuhn

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Acheron

A river of woe flowing into the Underworld

ACK-er-on

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adyton

An inner chamber or restricted sanctuary within a temple

AD-ee-tuhn

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agora

An open meeting space and market, typically a square within cities and towns

AH-guh-ruh

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alabastron

A long, thin, handleless vessel for holding oil or perfume

Al-uh-BAH-stron

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amphora / amphorae

A two-handled container for storing/transporting liquids, mainly oil or wine

Am-fuh-ruh // Am-fuh-ree

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andron

A room in a house used for entertaining male guests

An-dron

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aristoi

Noblemen in ancient Greek society, affluent upper class

Ah-ris-toy

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aryballos

A small, globular flask with a narrow neck, used to contain oil or perfume

Ar-uh-BAL-uhs

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aspis

A large, deeply dished shield made primarily of wood

AS-pis

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aulos

A double-reed wind instrument

AW-los

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bouleuterion

A council house where the boule (city council) met

Boo-loo-TEER-ee-on

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buskins

A calf-length boot made of leather

Buh-skins

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carbatines

Moccasin-like open-toed leather sandals

Car-buh-tyns

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cella

The central chamber of a temple

Seh-luh

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cestus

Aphrodite's woven belt/girdle decorated with rubies and cinnamon-scented tassels

Seh-stuhs

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chiton

A tunic made of linen, silk, or wool, often sleeveless, worn by men and women

Kai-tuhn

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chlamys

A short cloak draped over the left shoulder and fastened on the right shoulder

Klam-is

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Cocytus

A river of lamentation flowing into the Underworld

Co-ky-tus

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doru

A spear made of cornel or ash with a leaf-shaped iron head and a spiked iron butt

DOH-roo

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enkoimesis

A ritual sleep with hallucinogens

En-KOH-me-sis

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epiblema

A shawl worn over a chiton or peplos by both men and women

Eh-pi-BLEH-muh

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erebus

A black stream of darkness flowing within the Underworld

EH-ree-bus

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exaleiptron

A ceramic container used to hold cosmetics, oils, or perfumes

Ex-ah-LEEP-tron

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exomis

A style of short, sleeveless tunic fastened on the left shoulder

Ehk-soh-mis

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fibulae

Ancient safety pins to fasten and hold up clothes

Fih-BYOO-lee

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halteres

A type of dumbbell used by athletes during training and long jump events

Hal-teeuh-reez

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harpē

A curved blade - specifically Hermes's blade made of adamantine

Harp-ee

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Hellas

The ancient Greeks' name for Greece

Heh-laas

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hepatizon

A rare, purple-tinted metal alloy valued in antiquity

Heh-pah-tiz-on

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hetaira/i

Educated courtesans known for companionship and cultured conversation

Hi-TAY-ruh / Hi-TAY-rai

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himation

A large, cloak-like woollen or linen garment worn over a tunic

Hi-MAT-ee-on

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hosioi

Five sacred officials working with the Oracle in Delphi

Ho-see-oh

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hydria / hydriai

A large water jar commonly made from terracotta or bronze

HY-dree-uh / HY-dree-ai

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ichor

The shimmering, silvery purple, divine blood of the Olympians

Eye-ker

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kalasiris

A long, linen sheath dress originating in Aegyptus

Ka-la-SEE-rees

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kantharos / kantharoi

A deep wine cup with tall handles, often associated with Dionysus

Kan-THAH-rohs / Kan-THAH-roi

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kerykeion

A winged staff owned by Hermes

Ke-ree-KEE-on

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klismos

An elegant chair with splayed legs, a curved back, and concave backrest

Kliz-mahs

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kolpos

A pouch created by pulling floor-length garments (chiton, peplos) over a belt

Kol-pos

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kopis

A short sword or knife with a forward-curving blade

Koh-pis

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krater

Open-mouth bowl used to mix wine with water

Kra-TER

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kylix / kylikes

A wide-bowled drinking cup, usually for wine, with horizontal handles

Kai-liks / Kai-li-keez

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lekythos

A portable flask for olive oil/perfume

Lek-uh-thos

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Lethe

A river of forgetfulness flowing into the Underworld

LEE-thee

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liburna

A light vessel built for speed with a single row of oars

Lee-burh-nah

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loukoumade

Honey-drizzled doughnut-style dessert - Eileithyia's preferred dessert

Loo-koo-MAH-thes

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lyre

A stringed instrument, initially made of turtle shell with strings made of animal gut

Lie-er

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megaron

The great central hall of a palace or temple

MEH-gah-ron

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metics

Free residents of a city who were not granted citizenship

Met-iks

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Mnemosyne

A black-water spring in the Underworld whose waters help recover lost memories

Nee-moh-suh-nee

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monopteros

An open circular structure with columns and a dome roof, often found in gardens

Mon-op-teh-rohs

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obol / obols

Silver coins, a form of ancient Greek currency

Ob-uhl / Ob-uhls

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oinochoe / oinochoes

A wine jug, usually made from terracotta, fashioned in many styles

Oy-nuh-cho / Oy-nuh-choes

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omphalos

A religious stone artefact marking the centre or 'navel' of the world

OHM-fuh-lohss

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orichulcum

A sought-after gold-copper alloy, second only to gold in value

O-ri-KHAL-kum

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pemma

A type of cake or pastry often sweetened with honey

Pem-ma

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peplos

A body-length garment worn by women, made from wool, linen, or silk

Pep-los

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perizoma

A type of loincloth typically worn by manual labourers or athletes

Per-ih-zo-mah

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petasos

A type of wide-brimmed hat - Hermes wears one with wings attached

Pe-tuh-suhs

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Phlegethon

A fiery river flowing into the Underworld

Fleg-uh-thon

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phthisis

An ancient word for tuberculosis

Thi-sis

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plakous

A flatbread cake made with cheese and honey

Pla-KOOS

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plethron / plethra

A unit of measurement equivalent to approximately 30 metres

PLEH-thron / PLEH-thra

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pode / podes

A type of measurement, equal in length to 30cm (a Greek foot)

Poh-deh / Poh-dhes

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polis / poleis

Singular / Plural for city states in Greece

Poh-liss / Pol-ice

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pornai

Prostitutes of lower social status in ancient Greek society

Poor-nay

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pronaos

A vestibule at the front of a temple

Proh-nay-os

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psykter

A ceramic vessel - narrow foot and bulbous top, mainly used as a wine cooler

Sik-ter

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pyxis

A cylindrical box with a separate lid to hold cosmetics or jewellery

PIK-sis

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pédila

A type of sandal - specifically Hermes's golden winged sandals

Peh-dee-lah

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rhyton / rhyta

A ceremonial drinking vessel often shaped like an animal’s head

Ry-ton / Ry-tuh

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salpinx

A long trumpet used in military and ceremonial settings

Sahl-pingks

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skyphos

A deep-bowled, two-handled drinking cup, used at banquets or drinking parties

Sky-fos

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stadion / stadia

A Greek unit of length measuring roughly 185 metres

Stad-ee-on / Sta-dee-ah

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stoa / stoi

A covered open-air walkway or colonnade outside buildings

Stow-ah / Stow-i

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strigils

A curved tool to scrape dirt, perspiration, and oil from the body

Stree-jills

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strophion

A bra-like undergarment - a wide band of wool or linen wrapped across the breasts

Stroh-fi-on

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Styx

A sacred icy river flowing into the Underworld

Stiks

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symposium

A social gathering for dinner, drinks, and conversation, a male aristocratic activity

Sim-POH-see-on

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tainia

A headband made from various materials including fabric, leather, or metal

Teh-NEE-ah

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teganites

An ancient Greek pancake or "griddle-cake"

Tee-gah-NEE-tes

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telis

A word for fenugreek - a herb used for medicinal or cooking purposes

Tee-lis

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tettixes

Ancient word for cicada

Teh-tih-kess

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thyrsus

A staff of fennel covered in vines and leaves - typically used by Dionysus

Thur-suhs

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xiphos

A double-edged, one-handed sword hung from a baldric under the left arm

Zih-fos

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