What is the classical Greek word for "Fortress"?

[Mythos_Ruler]

I find "???????" on the net which transliterates to Frourio. Would this be correct or is this a more modern word?

[MeinPanzer]

That's the modern version of the word, while ???????? is the ancient version. From my exposure to Classical and Hellenistic history and epigraphy, I gather that this usually has the meaning of a fort or (by extension) a garrison, but I think it can also mean "citadel" or "fortress." However, in many Greek city-states the citadel was the acropolis, but ????????? had a much more specific meaning and definition (the fortified upper portion of a city which usually served as an important military, administrative, and religious centre).

[Mythos_Ruler]

That's the modern version of the word, while ???????? is the ancient version. From my exposure to Classical and Hellenistic history and epigraphy, I gather that this usually has the meaning of a fort or (by extension) a garrison, but I think it can also mean "citadel" or "fortress." However, in many Greek city-states the citadel was the acropolis, but ????????? had a much more specific meaning and definition (the fortified upper portion of a city which usually served as an important military, administrative, and religious centre).

Thanks, but what is ???????? transliterated into English?

[Peter Raftos]

A number of words are used to describe fortressess in classical Greek, depending on their function. If I were an Athenian speaking in the Attic dialect then phrourion would be the most acceptable. However, a Spartan using the Doric dialect would say phrôrion.

Some other words can be found here: [url:1gx6jzw8]http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/enggreek?lookup=fortress&type=begin&lang=greek&searchText=&options=Sort+Results+Alphabetically[/url]

The Liddell Scott-Jones Greek Lexicon on the Perseus site is a really good resource:
[url:1gx6jzw8]http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/enggreek?lang=greek[/url]

[Mythos_Ruler]

A number of words are used to describe fortressess in classical Greek, depending on their function. If I were an Athenian speaking in the Attic dialect then phrourion would be the most acceptable. However, a Spartan using the Doric dialect would say phrôrion.

Some other words can be found here: [url:3ah3zoyl]http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/enggreek?lookup=fortress&type=begin&lang=greek&searchText=&options=Sort+Results+Alphabetically[/url]

The Liddell Scott-Jones Greek Lexicon on the Perseus site is a really good resource:
[url:3ah3zoyl]http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/enggreek?lang=greek[/url]

You're right, that is a great resource. Thanks! I think I'll use the Attic.

[D B Campbell]

I find "???????" on the net which transliterates to Frourio. Would this be correct or is this a more modern word?

Depends what you mean by a fortress! Phrourion is usually translated as "fort", and understood as a smallish fortification (e.g. I think Arrian calls the fort at Phasis a phrourion). Stratopedon, on the other hand, is usually translated as "fortress", and understood as a largish fortification (e.g. I think Dio calls the Praetorian camp at Rome a stratopedon).

Did you have a particular "fortress" in mind?

[Mythos_Ruler]

What about the word "Epiteichisma"?

[D B Campbell]

What about the word "Epiteichisma"?

A lot of Greek words have their own particular nuances. An epiteichisma is a fortification positioned provocatively on or near enemy territory. With that word, it's more about the location of the fort. (The root of the word is, of course, teichisma, which is just a defensive wall -- the Long Walls of Athens are sometimes called this.)