Greece - Korina Miller [624]
Corinthian – order of Greek architecture recognisable by columns with bell-shaped capitals that have sculpted, elaborate ornaments based on acanthus leaves; see also Doric and Ionic
Cycladic civilisation – the civilisation (3000-1100 BC) that emerged following the settlement of Phoenician colonists on the Cycladic islands
cyclops (s), cyclopes (pl) – mythical one-eyed giants
dark age – period (1200-800 BC) in which Greece was under Dorian rule
domatio (s), domatia (pl) – room, usually in a private home; cheap accommodation option
Dorians – Hellenic warriors who invaded Greece around 1200 BC, demolishing the city-states and destroying the Mycenaean civilisation; heralded Greece’s ‘dark age’, when the artistic and cultural advancements of the Mycenaean and the Minoan civilisations were abandoned; the Dorians later developed into land-holding aristocrats which encouraged the resurgence of independent city-states led by wealthy aristocrats
Doric – order of Greek architecture characterised by a column that has no base, a fluted shaft and a relatively plain capital, when compared with the flourishes evident on Ionic and Corinthian capitals
Ellada or Ellas – see Hellas
ELTA – Ellinika Tahydromia; the Greek post office organisation
EOT – Ellinikos Organismos Tourismou; main tourist office (has offices in most major towns), known abroad as GNTO
Filiki Eteria – Friendly Society; a group of Greeks in exile; formed during Ottoman rule to organise an uprising against the Turks
filoxenia – hospitality
frourio – fortress; sometimes also referred to as a kastro
Geometric period – period (1200-800 BC) characterised by pottery decorated with geometric designs; sometimes referred to as Greece’s ‘dark age’
GNTO – Greek National Tourist Organisation; see also EOT
Hellas – the Greek name for Greece; also known as Ellada or Ellas
Hellenistic period – prosperous, influential period (323-146 BC) of Greek civilisation ushered in by Alexander the Great’s empire building and lasting until the Roman sacking of Corinth in 146 BC
hora – main town (usually on an island)
horio – village
IC – intercity (sometimes express) train service
Ionic – order of Greek architecture characterised by a column with truncated flutes and capitals with ornaments resembling scrolls; see also Doric and Corinthian
kastro – walled-in town; also describes a fort or castle
katholikon – principal church of a monastic complex
kore – female statue of the Archaic period; see also kouros
kouros – male statue of the Archaic period, characterised by a stiff body posture and enigmatic smile; see also kore
KTEL – Koino Tamio Eispraxeon Leoforion; national bus cooperative; runs all long-distance bus services
laïka – literally ‘popular (songs)’; mainstream songs that have either been around for years or are of recent origin; also referred to as urban folk music
leoforos – avenue; commonly shortened to ‘leof’
limenarhio – port police
meltemi – northeasterly wind that blows throughout much of Greece during the summer
Middle Age – see Archaic period
Minoan civilisation – Bronze Age (3000-1100 BC) culture of Crete named after the mythical King Minos, and characterised by pottery and metalwork of great beauty and artisanship
moni – monastery or convent
Mycenaean civilisation – the first great civilisation (1600-1100 BC) of the Greek mainland, characterised by powerful independent city-states ruled by kings; also known as the Achaean civilisation
nisi – island
odos – street
OSE – Organismos Sidirodromon Ellados; Greek railways organisation
OTE – Organismos Tilepikoinonion Ellados; Greece’s major telecommunications carrier
Panagia – Mother of God or Virgin Mary; name frequently used for churches
panigyri (s), panigyria (p) – festival; the most common festivals celebrate annual saints’ days
Pantokrator