Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Themistocles

(Encyclopedia)Themistocles thəmĭsˈtəklēz [key], c.525–462 b.c., Athenian statesman and naval commander. He was elected one of the three archons in 493 b.c. In succeeding years many of his rivals were elimina...

Peloponnesian War

(Encyclopedia)Peloponnesian War pĕlˈəpənēˈzhən [key], 431–404 b.c., decisive struggle in ancient Greece between Athens and Sparta. It ruined Athens, at least for a time. The rivalry between Athens' maritim...

Persian Wars

(Encyclopedia)Persian Wars, 500 b.c.–449 b.c., series of conflicts fought between Greek states and the Persian Empire. The writings of Herodotus, who was born c.484 b.c., are the great source of knowledge of the ...

Mantinea

(Encyclopedia)Mantinea mănˌtĭnēˈə [key], city of ancient Greece, in E central Arcadia (now Arkadhía). In the Peloponnesian War a coalition led by Mantinea and Argos and urged on by Athens was defeated (418 b...

Callias, fl. 449 b.c., Athenian statesman

(Encyclopedia)Callias kălˈēəs [key], fl. 449 b.c., Athenian statesman; he was related to Cimon and also to Aristides. He distinguished himself at the battle of Marathon (490 b.c.) and was a three-time winner of...

Lamía

(Encyclopedia)Lamía lämēˈä, lāˈmēə [key], city (1991 pop. 44,084), capital of Fthiótis prefecture, E central Greece. It is a transportation hub and an agricultural center. Founded about the 5th cent. b.c....

Eretria

(Encyclopedia)Eretria ĕrēˈtrēə [key], ancient city of Greece, in Euboea (now Évvoia), SE of Chalcis (now Khalkís), its rival. In the 7th and 6th cent. b.c., Eretria sent out many colonists to islands and coa...

hoplite

(Encyclopedia)hoplite hŏpˈlīt [key], heavy infantry soldier in the armies of classical Greece. Hoplites were usually protected by helmets, cuirasses, and leg armor. They carried large shields, javelins, heavy sw...

Sestos

(Encyclopedia)Sestos sĕsˈtŏs [key], ancient town on the Thracian shore of the Hellespont (now Dardanelles) opposite Abydos (in present-day Turkey). It was the scene of the story of Hero and Leander. It was there...

Delian League

(Encyclopedia)Delian League dēˈlēən [key], confederation of Greek city-states under the leadership of Athens. The name is used to designate two distinct periods of alliance, the first 478–404 b.c., the second...