Ancient Greece is called 'the birthplace of Western civilization'. About 2500 years ago, the Greeks created a way of life that other people admired and copied. The Romans copied Greek art and Greek gods, for example. The Ancient Greeks tried created democracy started the Olympics Games and left new ideas in science, art and philosophy.
Much of the ancient Greek civilization has survived either directly or through permutations to our day. The ancient Greek dialects are influential even to this day with much Greek vocabulary embedded in the Modern Greek and English languages. Likewise, the art and architecture of ancient Greece has remained relevant and influential up to our time in the breadth of western society. The much-celebrated Renaissance was guided in large part by the re-discovery of the ancient Greek ideas through text and art, which were hitherto suppressed by the belief in the absolute authority of the supernatural power and the church.
Much of the ancient Greek civilization has survived either directly or through permutations to our day. The ancient Greek dialects are influential even to this day with much Greek vocabulary embedded in the Modern Greek and English languages. Likewise, the art and architecture of ancient Greece has remained relevant and influential up to our time in the breadth of western society. The much-celebrated Renaissance was guided in large part by the re-discovery of the ancient Greek ideas through text and art, which were hitherto suppressed by the belief in the absolute authority of the supernatural power and the church.
Web Quest
Complete the following questions using the information found on the following website:
http://www.mythologyteacher.com/GreekIntro.html GREEK INTRO 1. At roughly what time period was the golden age of ancient Greece? 2. Who was an ancient Greek writer of fables? 3. Who was a Greek mathematician? 4. Why should Americans study ancient Greece? GREEK CITY-STATES 5. How is a city-state more than just a city? 6. What term was not in use during the golden age of Greece? Why not? 7. What is an agora? |
Crash Course
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It's All Greek To Me Activity
How many Greek words can you create from common Greek roots? You may find that combi-nations of three, even four roots are possible. You may find it necessary to add or drop a letter from the Greek word in order to have the correct English spelling. You should, of course, know the meaning of the English terms that you create.
e.g. bio + ology = biology = the study of life forms
Greek Roots English Meaning
e.g. bio + ology = biology = the study of life forms
Greek Roots English Meaning
aero air
anthrop(o) human auto self bio life -cracy rule demo(s) people geo earth -gamo(y) marriage -graph writing hydro water litho(o) stone |
micro small
mono one neo new -ology study of, body of paleo old photo light poly many psycho mind scope sight tele far theo god thermo heat |
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Introducing the Minoans and Mycenaeans
Around 1500 BC, the great Minoan civilization thrived on the islands of Crete and Santorin in the eastern Mediterranean. A guided tour of the legendary sites at Akrotiri, Phasestus, Ayía Triáda and Knosses culminates in a visit to the palace of Minos, famous for its mythical labyrinth.
Minoans were traders, and their cultural contacts reached far beyond the island of Crete — to Egypt's Old Kingdom, to copper-bearing Cyprus, Canaan, and the Levantine coasts beyond, and to Anatolia. In late 2009, Minoan-style frescoes and other Minoan-style artifacts were discovered during excavations of the Canaanite palace at Tel Kabri, Israel, leading archaeologists to conclude that the Minoan influence was the strongest foreign influence on that Caananite city state. These are the only Minoan remains ever found in Israel.
Minoan techniques and styles in ceramics also provided models, of fluctuating influence, for Helladic Greece. Along with the familiar example of Thera, Minoan "colonies" can be found first at Kastri on Cythera, an island close to the Greek mainland that came under Minoan influence in the mid-third millennium (EMII) and remained Minoan in culture for a thousand years, until Mycenaean occupation in the 13th century. The use of the term "colony", however, like "thalassocracy", has been criticized in recent years. The Minoan strata there replace a mainland-derived culture in the Early Bronze Age, the earliest Minoan settlement outside Crete.
Minoans were traders, and their cultural contacts reached far beyond the island of Crete — to Egypt's Old Kingdom, to copper-bearing Cyprus, Canaan, and the Levantine coasts beyond, and to Anatolia. In late 2009, Minoan-style frescoes and other Minoan-style artifacts were discovered during excavations of the Canaanite palace at Tel Kabri, Israel, leading archaeologists to conclude that the Minoan influence was the strongest foreign influence on that Caananite city state. These are the only Minoan remains ever found in Israel.
Minoan techniques and styles in ceramics also provided models, of fluctuating influence, for Helladic Greece. Along with the familiar example of Thera, Minoan "colonies" can be found first at Kastri on Cythera, an island close to the Greek mainland that came under Minoan influence in the mid-third millennium (EMII) and remained Minoan in culture for a thousand years, until Mycenaean occupation in the 13th century. The use of the term "colony", however, like "thalassocracy", has been criticized in recent years. The Minoan strata there replace a mainland-derived culture in the Early Bronze Age, the earliest Minoan settlement outside Crete.
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The Mycenaeans
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Greek City States
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Activity: Sparta Athens T-Chart
Using the video, notes, textbook, and online resources, fill out the following T-Chart.
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Sparta Vs. Athens
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Map Activity
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Readings
1.. Which of Pericles’ goals do you think had the greatest
impact on the modern world? Explain your choice. 2. What steps did Pericles take to strengthen democracy in Athens? 3. What were the battle strategies of Athens and Sparta in the Peloponnesian War? 4. Why do you think some Athenians found the ideas of Socrates so disturbing? |
The Peloponnesian Wars
Athens and Sparta, both powerful Greek city-states, had fought as allies in the Greco-Persian Wars between 499 and 449 B.C. In the wake of the Persian retreat, however, Athens grew more powerful and tensions rose, escalating into nearly three decades of war. Sparta emerged victorious, while the constant fighting left Athens bankrupt, exhausted and demoralized. Neither city-state regained the military strength they once had.
After heroic roles in the defeat of the Persians (480-479 B.C.), for the next half-century Athens and Sparta assumed preeminence among the city-states, and their rivalry slowly led to the long-expected showdown. Thucydides, a contemporary historian, believed that the war broke out because of Spartan fear of the rising power of Athens, whose empire and capital increasingly isolated less imaginative and less adventurous rivals. Both were unusually powerful, atypical–and antithetical–Greek states that could afford to ignore the old rules of infantry warfare. Supported by nearly 200,000 Helots (serfs) who worked the farms of Messenia and Laconia, the Spartans fielded professional hoplites, year-round infantry not subject to the normal restrictions that free agriculture placed on yeomanry in infantry battle.
After heroic roles in the defeat of the Persians (480-479 B.C.), for the next half-century Athens and Sparta assumed preeminence among the city-states, and their rivalry slowly led to the long-expected showdown. Thucydides, a contemporary historian, believed that the war broke out because of Spartan fear of the rising power of Athens, whose empire and capital increasingly isolated less imaginative and less adventurous rivals. Both were unusually powerful, atypical–and antithetical–Greek states that could afford to ignore the old rules of infantry warfare. Supported by nearly 200,000 Helots (serfs) who worked the farms of Messenia and Laconia, the Spartans fielded professional hoplites, year-round infantry not subject to the normal restrictions that free agriculture placed on yeomanry in infantry battle.
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FAMOUS GREEK CHALLENGE!!
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famous_greeks_challenge.docx | |
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GREEK THINKERS
Greek philosophers were "seekers and lovers of wisdom". They studied and analyzed the world around them using logic and reason. Although we often think of philosophy as religion or "the meaning of life", the Greek philosophers were also scientists. Many studied mathematics and physics as well. Often the philosophers were teachers of wealthy children. Some of the more famous ones opened their own schools or academies.
Philo-” means love, and “-sophia” means wisdom, so the word “philosophy” really means “the love of wisdom.” Basically, philosophy is thinking about the world and making sense out of it. For example, early Greeks began asking the question, “What exists?” They questioned the world around them and tried to make sense out of what they saw. Other, different philosophies were developed, each of which tried to make sense out of the world. Eventually, their ideas built upon each other until very complicated philosophies were developed. These early thinkers were so influential that their ideas are still around today, and people still study them in colleges and universities.
Philo-” means love, and “-sophia” means wisdom, so the word “philosophy” really means “the love of wisdom.” Basically, philosophy is thinking about the world and making sense out of it. For example, early Greeks began asking the question, “What exists?” They questioned the world around them and tried to make sense out of what they saw. Other, different philosophies were developed, each of which tried to make sense out of the world. Eventually, their ideas built upon each other until very complicated philosophies were developed. These early thinkers were so influential that their ideas are still around today, and people still study them in colleges and universities.
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Ancient Greek Women, Religion, and Games
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British Museum Gods & Goddesses Activity
Ancient Greek Art & Literature
For almost a thousand years, Greek citizens created art and literature that dominated the culture of the surrounding area. From pottery and sculpture to philosophy and epic poetry and the invention of drama, the whole world benefited from the creativity of the ancient Greeks. Their art became the foundation for contemporary technique and their philosophical literature became the foundations of Western civilization.
Greek authority over ancient art and literature lasted from around 900 B.C. to 31 B.C. This time frame splits into four distinct periods that represent different artistic eras--the geometric period (900-700 B.C.), the archaic period (700-480 B.C.), the classical period (480-323 B.C.) and the Hellenistic period (323-31 B.C). The Roman empire ruled Greece from 146 B.C. to 330 A.D. During this time, the art and literature of these two societies influenced each other and blended.
Early Greek artwork depicted stories of the gods on pottery. Frescoes that illustrate scenes of humans interacting with nature adorned ancient Greek walls. The focus of Greek artwork moved from pottery and painting to sculpture during the archaic and classical periods. Two great epic poems, "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey," were attributed to the blind poet Homer. Historians aren’t sure whether such a person in fact existed but tradition dictates the poems were written down around 700 B.C. The Greeks invented drama, both tragedy and comedy, which grew out of religious festivals, and philosophy.
Greek authority over ancient art and literature lasted from around 900 B.C. to 31 B.C. This time frame splits into four distinct periods that represent different artistic eras--the geometric period (900-700 B.C.), the archaic period (700-480 B.C.), the classical period (480-323 B.C.) and the Hellenistic period (323-31 B.C). The Roman empire ruled Greece from 146 B.C. to 330 A.D. During this time, the art and literature of these two societies influenced each other and blended.
Early Greek artwork depicted stories of the gods on pottery. Frescoes that illustrate scenes of humans interacting with nature adorned ancient Greek walls. The focus of Greek artwork moved from pottery and painting to sculpture during the archaic and classical periods. Two great epic poems, "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey," were attributed to the blind poet Homer. Historians aren’t sure whether such a person in fact existed but tradition dictates the poems were written down around 700 B.C. The Greeks invented drama, both tragedy and comedy, which grew out of religious festivals, and philosophy.
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Alexander the Great
Alexander III the Great, the King of Macedonia and conqueror of the Persian Empire is considered one of the greatest military geniuses of all times. He was inspiration for later conquerors such as Hannibal the Carthaginian, the Romans Pompey and Caesar, and Napoleon.
Macedonian by blood, Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.) was born to parents King Philip II and Queen Olympia. Tutored by Aristotle, the prince took charge of the Companion Cavalry at age 18 and aided Philip in defeating the Athenian and Theban armies at Chaeronea. After the death of his father, Alexander garnered the support of the Macedonian Army and eliminated his enemies to become king and leader of the Corinthian League. Alexander went on to conquer Persia and Egypt, his kingdom ranging from the Mediterranean to the border of India. Just 32 when he died from malaria, he is regarded as one of history’s brilliant military leaders and most powerful rulers.
Alexander’s conquests created a legend that would provide the standard by which other leaders measured their careers. Kings, generals, and emperors discovered that they were unable to compete with the legend and turned to emulation— Antiochus the Great, Pompey the Great, Nero, Caracalla, Severus Alexander, and Charlemagne, to mention a few—and Alexander’s career as a metaphor for achievement has reached even into modern times.
Macedonian by blood, Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.) was born to parents King Philip II and Queen Olympia. Tutored by Aristotle, the prince took charge of the Companion Cavalry at age 18 and aided Philip in defeating the Athenian and Theban armies at Chaeronea. After the death of his father, Alexander garnered the support of the Macedonian Army and eliminated his enemies to become king and leader of the Corinthian League. Alexander went on to conquer Persia and Egypt, his kingdom ranging from the Mediterranean to the border of India. Just 32 when he died from malaria, he is regarded as one of history’s brilliant military leaders and most powerful rulers.
Alexander’s conquests created a legend that would provide the standard by which other leaders measured their careers. Kings, generals, and emperors discovered that they were unable to compete with the legend and turned to emulation— Antiochus the Great, Pompey the Great, Nero, Caracalla, Severus Alexander, and Charlemagne, to mention a few—and Alexander’s career as a metaphor for achievement has reached even into modern times.
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Questions:1. Region Onto which continents did Alexander’s empire spread?
2. Place Which kingdoms succeeded the empire of Alexander the Great after his death in 323 B.C.? 3. Which of Alexander’s conquests do you think was the most significant? Why? |
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The Diffusion of Hellenistic Culture
Alexander’s ambitions were cultural as well as military and political. During his wars of conquest, he actively sought to meld the conquered culture with that of the Greeks. He started new cities as administrative centers and outposts of Greek culture. These cities, from Egyptian Alexandria in the south to the Asian Alexandrias in the east, adopted many Greek patterns and customs. After Alexander’s death, trade, a shared Greek culture, and a common language continued to link the cities together. But each region had its own traditional ways of life, religion, and government that no ruler could afford to overlook.
As a result of Alexander’s policies, a vibrant new culture emerged. Greek (also known as Hellenic) culture blended with Egyptian, Persian, and Indian influences. This blending became known as Hellenistic culture. Koine (koy•NAY), the popular spoken language used in Hellenistic cities, was the direct result of cultural blending. The word koine came from the Greek word for “common.” The language was a dialect of Greek. This language enabled educated people and traders from diverse backgrounds to communicate in cities throughout the Hellenistic world.
As a result of Alexander’s policies, a vibrant new culture emerged. Greek (also known as Hellenic) culture blended with Egyptian, Persian, and Indian influences. This blending became known as Hellenistic culture. Koine (koy•NAY), the popular spoken language used in Hellenistic cities, was the direct result of cultural blending. The word koine came from the Greek word for “common.” The language was a dialect of Greek. This language enabled educated people and traders from diverse backgrounds to communicate in cities throughout the Hellenistic world.
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Test Review
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Jeopardy
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