agora, the
The term initially meant the gathering of the people. During historical times this gathering was called ecclesia and the word agora meant the public space where citizens gathered. The agora consists of commercial and religious buildings as well as constructions of political character.

crepis / crepidoma
The solid mass of stepped masonry serving as the visible base of a building. The crepidoma usually consists of three steps. The top step from which the columns spring is called the stereobate.

gymnasium
The gymnasium was one of the most important centres of public life in Greek cities. The institution of the gymnasium, directly connected with the development of the Greek city, aimed to create virtuous citizens and gallant warriors. As educational institutions of public character, the gymnasia were intended for the physical and theoretical education of the young and consisted of separate spaces for special purposes.

isodomic masonry (opus quadratum)
A type of masonry in which blocks of equal length and thickness are laid in courses, with each vertical joint centered on the block below.

legate
(lat. legatus). The senatorial ambassador a) to foreign nations or b) to military commanders, in which case he assumed command. He was considered a functionary, since he was under the commands of the Senate; he was also a sacred person.In later periods, legate was named the representative sent to a foreign land, and such was the title of the head of the Italian communities in Byzantine Constantinople. The representatives of the Pope empowered for the settlement of ecclesiastical matters were also called legates.

obverse
The face of the coin which bears the more important device. Due to ambiguities that sometimes exist, many numismatists prefer to use the term for the side struck by the lower (anvil) die.

repoussé technique, the
The process or the result of decorating a. metallic surfaces with designs in relief, hammered out on the surface of the material from the back to the front.b. ceramic objects, where the motif is impressed into the surface of the vessel (the fresh clay) before firing.

reverse
The back view of a coin where the issuing authority is usually inscribed.

stadium
The later Greek unit of linear measurement, containing 600 feet, equal to approximately 117,6 m.

stoa, portico, the
A long building with a roof supported by one or two colonnades parallel to its back wall.

talent, the
Numismatic weight unit. The silver talent equaled 60 mnai or 6000 silver drachmas.

tyrant, the
The initial meaning of the term was the leading archon of a noble origin. Later οn he was the usurper of rightful power and the one who was ruling in an absolute way, aiming ostensily to the welfare of his people.