CULTURE

29.2 – City of Contrasts 1. What contributions did Pericles make to Athens after the

Persians wars? • Pericles led the rebuilding of Athens after the Persian wars. He

encouraged the arts and made reforms to encourage the growth of democracy.

2. Why can Athens be called a city of contrast? • The people of Athens lived in small, uncomfortable

houses, but the city’s public spaces and buildings were large and beautiful.

• What is the Acropolis? What is located there?

• Hill in the center of the polis that is used for temples and government

• What is the Parthenon? • The temple honoring the goddess Athena, built on the acropolis

above Athens

29.3 – Religion: The Temple at

Delphi (Athena)

1. Why would a person go to see an oracle?

• A person would go to an oracle to ask a god questions. Each god or goddess had power over a certain area of life. People needing advice would go to the oracle who spoke for a particular god or goddess.

2. What did the ancient Greeks believe about where gods and and goddesses lived and what they were like?

• The ancient Greek gods and goddesses lived on Mount Olympus. They looked and acted like humans, but they did not age or die.

3. In what ways was religion a part of the everyday life of the ancient Greeks?

• The ancient Greeks asked the gods for help before setting out on journeys. The Greeks dedicated festivals and sporting events to their gods. Temples were dedicated to the gods and decorated with their images.

What is a myth? • A traditional story that helps to explain a culture’s beliefs.

Activity - Passport

“You have been learning about Greek mythology. You told your teacher that you saw no point in studying this subject. Your

teacher sent you to Delphi to ask the oracle if mythology would be important in the future. The oracle has said, “Greek mythology will be the origin of many words in a great language

of the future. To learn a few words of this new language, play the game I have

designed.”

panic

Definition: extreme fear

Example: There was panic in the audience when

the fire broke out.

Tantalus

The gods punished Tantalus by placing him

in a lake. When he tried to drink the water in the lake, the

water level dropped. When he tried to eat the fruit that hung

above him, the branches blew away.

tantalize

Definition: to torture someone with something

he or she cannot have

Example: Please don’t tantalize me with candy

when I’m on a diet.

Pan

Pan was half man and half goat. His bright red face, his flat

nose, and the two horns growing from his head made him

very frightening.

titanic

Definition: great in size or strength

Example: The artist created a titanic sculpture

for the town square.

Titans

The Titans were huge creatures who ruled the world until

they were defeated by Zeus and the other Olympian gods.

nemesis

Definition: the cause of harm or failure

Example: I don’t do well in school because

taking tests is my nemesis.

Muses

The muses were nine daughters of Zeus. They ruled over the

arts of history, poetry, music, dance, and drama.

museum

Definition: a place where valuable objects of art

and science are displayed

Example: The Greek statues are kept in a

museum.

Nemesis

Nemesis was the goddess who judged men. She caused

unhappiness in the lives of people she thought were too

happy. Nemesis punished those who were conceited or guilty

of crimes.

echo

Definition: a repeated sound

Example: When you speak in an empty room,

you sometimes hear an echo.

Echo

Hera was Zeus’s wife. One day, Hera punished Echo. Echo’s

punishment was that she could speak only when someone

else spoke first, and then she could only repeat what was

said.

29.4 – Architecture: The

Acropolis (acropolis)

1. Why did the ancient Greeks build temples like the Parthenon?

• The ancient Greeks built their temples as beautiful dwelling places for the gods and goddesses. These temples were not places of worship because the Greeks conducted religious ceremonies outside.

2. Name the three types of columns & draw them.

Doric, Ionic, Corinthian

3. What features made the Parthenon one of the most beautiful temples in ancient Greece?

• The Parthenon had 8 columns across the front and back, and 17 along each side. The top of the temple was decorated with a band of sculptures called a frieze. Inside the temple was a magnificent statue of Athena.

29.4 – Architecture: The

Acropolis (acropolis)

What is architecture?

Designing a building

Not in your book…where in the US could you find buildings similar to these?

Washington D.C., Harrisburg, Philadelphia etc.

Activity - Passport • Draw the three types of Columns and label

them.

29.5 – Sculpture: A Marble

Workshop (Pericles)

1. How did the styles of ancient Egyptian statues influence those of the ancient Greeks?

• The earliest Greek statues were influenced by ancient Egypt. Statues were larger-than-life figures that faced front, with arms held stiffly at their sides.

2. How did Athenian sculpture change over the years?

• Sculptures originally were very stiff looking. Later Sculpture became more realistic. Statues were sculpted in natural poses and showed detailed muscles, hair, and clothing.

3. Who was Phidias, and what did he do?

• Phidias was one of the most famous sculptors in Athens. He designed the figures at the top of the Parthenon and sculpted the statue of Athena that stood inside the temple.

2. Draw a stick figure example of each:

Original Greek Later Greek

Sculpture Sculpture

Activity

29.6 – Drama: The Theater of

Dionysus

1. How many people could a theater hold and how might its shape help a large audience?

• The Theater of Dionysus could hold thousands of people. Because it was shaped like a bowl on the side of the hill, everyone could hear what was said on the stage.

2. List two ways Greek drama differed from plays and movies of today (it should not already be listed).

• It relied upon the chorus to help explain and expand the story.

• It had no women actors.

• It was held in outdoor theaters.

• What is drama?

• The art of writing, acting in, and producing a play

Activity – Acting out a play

• Introduction: When the Greeks won the Trojan War, they destroyed the city of Troy and made the Trojan women and children into slaves. Queen Hecuba (HEH-coo-bah) of Troy and her daughter Polyxena (POOL-ix-EE-nah) were captured. The Greek soldiers told Hecuba that Polyxena was to be sacrificed to the gods to make sure the Greek ships returned safely home.

After the few lines are acted out …. In your passport write what do you think happens next.

Activity Selection from Hecuba by Euripides

Hecuba: O my child Polyxena,step from the tent! Come and hear the news your wretched mother brings, this news of horror that touches your life!

(Enter Polyxena, a beautiful girl, from the tent)

Polyxena: That terror in your voice! That ry of fear flushing me forth like a bird in terror!

Hecuba: O my child! My baby…

Polyxena: Again that cry! Why?

Hecuba: I am afraid for you—

Polyxena: Tell me the truth, Mother. No, I am afraid. Something in your face frightens me. You must tell me, Mother.

Hecuba: A dreadful rumor came. Some Greek decree that touches your life—

Polyxena: Touches my life how? For God’s sake, Mother, speak!

Hecuba: The Greeks, in full assembly, have decreed your death, a living sacrifice upon Achilles’ (ah-KILL-eez) tomb.

Polyxena: O my poor mother! How I pity you, this brokenhearted life of pain!

Ancient Greek Philosophers

29.7 Philosophy: The Agora

1. What did Greek philosophers do? • They talk about the world around them, nature, the meaning of

life, justice, truth, and beauty. 2. How did Socrates try to teach others? What did he encourage

people to do? • He asked people questions that forced them to think about

their beliefs. He encouraged them to question everything they knew.

3. What happened to Socrates? •He was put to death. His enemies accused him of not honoring the gods and leading young people into error and disloyalty.

Name other philosophers he influenced. • Plato & Aristotle •What is an agora?

• The marketplace at the bottom of the acropolis

Activity - Passport

• Listening to Socrates in

the Agora….

• Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

1. Socrates meant….

2. I agree / disagree with Socrates. Why?

28.8 – Sports: The Panathenaic

Games 1. What was the purpose of the Panathenaic Games? • The Panathenaic Games were a series of competitive athletic

events that were held as part of a festival that honored the goddess Athena. These games showed how much the Greeks valued physical fitness and a healthy body.

2. Describe one Panathenaic event that is part of our present Olympics.

• The Panathenaic Games included events like horse races, chariot races, footraces, boxing, wrestling, and the pancratium.

3. Identify one event that is still part of athletic competitions today, and then one event that is not. • Is – footraces, boxing, wrestling • NOT - Chariot races, races in full armour, or the pancratium.