Geography
Mountains, seas, and islands formed natural barriers between Greek city-states, and forced the Greeks to settle along the coast. The region of the Mediterranean where the Greeks first settled is called the Aegean Sea. Greek city-states formed all along the Aegean coastline and on the many islands in the Aegean Sea. The people of Greece used the sea to travel from city to city and to catch fish to eat. The Ancient Greeks spoke the same language and had similar cultures even though they were not one large empire, but divided into a number of powerful city states. Such as Athens, Sparta, and Thebes.
Daily Life
Ancient Greeks lived in homes that were built around an outdoor courtyard. The courtyard is where they had a well for water, an alter to worship their gods, and was the center for activity. Usually women stayed away from he men in the house, and many times even had a separate room set aside in the house just for them. Greek homes were made from sundries bricks with small windows high up on the walls. This was to keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
When a Greek child was born, the father could decide to keep the child or not. If the baby was weak, or was a girl, sometimes the father would abandon the child. Once a child was accepted by the father, he or she was treated well. Children had toys and spent the day playing games until boys reached age seven when they started school. Boys studied math, reading, and writing. They often would learn to play a musical instrument and how to debate. Girls didn't go to school. When children turned thirteen, they were considered adults.
Ancient Greeks ate wine, cheese, fish, olives, bread, and vegetables. Meats like pork or beef were only eaten on rare occasions and celebrations. Greeks wore tunics made out of wool for clothing.
When a Greek child was born, the father could decide to keep the child or not. If the baby was weak, or was a girl, sometimes the father would abandon the child. Once a child was accepted by the father, he or she was treated well. Children had toys and spent the day playing games until boys reached age seven when they started school. Boys studied math, reading, and writing. They often would learn to play a musical instrument and how to debate. Girls didn't go to school. When children turned thirteen, they were considered adults.
Ancient Greeks ate wine, cheese, fish, olives, bread, and vegetables. Meats like pork or beef were only eaten on rare occasions and celebrations. Greeks wore tunics made out of wool for clothing.
City States
Because Ancient Greek was divided into city-states, there were wars between them. The states had similar cultures, but different governments that were constantly changing. Sparta was one of the most powerful city-states in Ancient Greece. It had a powerful army. Instead of studying philosophy, art, and theatre like most, they studied war.Spartan men trained to become warriors from the day they were born.
Religion
The Greeks had many gods and may myths that surrounded them. Greek mythology is the stories and tales about the Greek gods, goddesses, and heroes. They built temples and offered sacrifices to their major gods. The Titans are the first or elder gods. There were twelve of them and they ruled during what was called the golden age, but were eventually overthrown by their children, led by Zues.
Zues is the leader of the Olympians and god of sky and lightening The Olympian gods were the major gods of the Greek and lived on Mount Olympus. His symbol is the lighting bolt. He is married to Hera, queen of the gods and goddess of marriage and family. Her symbols are the peacock, pomegranate, lion, and cow,
Greek heroes were brave and strong men that were favored by the gods. He was brave and adventures, they were related to the gods but were mortal. The one many of us have heard about is Hercules, the son of Zues and the greatest hero in Greek Mythology. Another hero is Achilles, a great hero of the Trojan War.
Zues is the leader of the Olympians and god of sky and lightening The Olympian gods were the major gods of the Greek and lived on Mount Olympus. His symbol is the lighting bolt. He is married to Hera, queen of the gods and goddess of marriage and family. Her symbols are the peacock, pomegranate, lion, and cow,
Greek heroes were brave and strong men that were favored by the gods. He was brave and adventures, they were related to the gods but were mortal. The one many of us have heard about is Hercules, the son of Zues and the greatest hero in Greek Mythology. Another hero is Achilles, a great hero of the Trojan War.
Inventions
The world of modern theater, even as far as Broadway, comes from the tragedians of Ancient Greece. Acts and play writers entertained big audiences with intriguing stories.
Thousands of years ago, the Olympic Games began as part of a religious festival. It was created in honor of the Greek god Zeus in the Greek town of Olympia. But how did it become the greatest show of sporting excellence on earth?