Ancient Greece

The Ancient Greeks lived in the area around the Greek Peninsula between 4,000 and 2,500 years ago. They spoke the same language and worshiped the same gods but lived in independent city-states. Ancient Greece developed many ideas about government, art, theatre, sports, architecture, philosophy, science and math that still influence the modern world. Democracy, the Olympics, the golden ratio and the Pythagorean theorem are a few examples of ideas from Ancient Greece that are still used today.

Featured

Ancient Greek Mythological Beasts

Ancient Greek stories and mythological beasts were so compelling that they were adopted by other cultures and are well-known, even today. These fantastical creatures and monsters of the Greeks had their parts to play in poems, theatre and art. They could be good or evil. Some were enemies for heroes to vanquish, some provided wisdom and help to deserving mortals and demigods, and some enforced the will of the gods.

Ancient Greek Black-Figure Pottery

In Ancient Greek black-figure pottery, the figures were painted with liquid clay that turned black when heated, leaving the background the color of the clay. In this activity, students can replicate that art style by painting a terracotta pinch pot.

Coin Making Activity

Sometimes an idea is so good, it never goes out of style. We still see portraits on coins today, but this idea goes waaaaay back, all the way to ancient times.

The Ancient Greeks put the faces of people as well as gods and goddesses on their coins.

Who were the Ancient Greeks?

The Ancient Greeks were people who lived in the area around the Greek Peninsula between 4,000 and 2,500 years ago. They spoke the same language and worshiped the same gods but they lived in independent city-states.

Ancient Athens

Athens was an ideal location for trade, so even though it was not a fertile area, Athens became a powerful city-state. Athens built a fleet of trading ships and imported all their grain from the Mediterranean, using trade to gain wealth and influence. By the 5th century B.C., Athenian coins were used all over the Mediterranean, and Athens was the head of a Greek alliance against Persia.

Is an apple alive?

Philosophy can seem like a bit of a lofty subject for middle school students, but kids are natural philosophers. As soon as they can talk, children start to ask questions, wanting to understand the why of things. Philosophy can be a great tool for tackling questions without easy answers.

sale

Ancient Greece

US$12.95 US$26.00