Ancient Ancient GreeceGreece

Gra

de(Correlates with GPS Standard: SS3H1a)

Its All Greek…Its All Greek…

People of ancient Greece contributed to society in many ways. Even though the ancient Greeks lived around 2,500 years ago, the influence of Greek sports, architecture, and government is still strong today! In fact, the United States copied a lot of these things from Greece…

The Olympic GamesThe Olympic Games The Olympic Games began in ancient Greece. Free men

who spoke Greek could compete in the games at Olympia. The games were only for Greeks. The games did not move around like they do today. There were also fewer sports in ancient Greece. Some of the popular sports were discus throwing, javelin throwing, wrestling, running, and chariot racing. The winner of the competitions were national heroes, just as they are today.

Greek Influence Greek Influence on Olympicson Olympics

GreeceGreece United StatesUnited States

*Only Men participated *Both Men and Women participate

*Held every 4 years *Held every 4 years

*Winner received Olive Branch

*Winner receives a gold medal

*Events: boxing, wrestling, chariot racing, and foot

races

*Events: gymnastics, running, ice skating, and

swimming

*Only cities in Greece participated

*Different countries participate around the

world

Quick QuizQuick Quiz What is one way the modern Olympics

today are different from Ancient Greece back then?

a. Olympics are held every 4 years

b. Men and Women get to participate

c. Running is an event

Columns, Columns, Everywhere! Columns, Columns, Everywhere! Ancient Greece is famous for its

architecture. The Greeks used columns in the construction of their buildings. Many ancient Greek temples and public buildings can still be seen today. The Parthenon in Greece is an excellent example of Greek columns and architecture.

Types of ColumnsTypes of Columns

Greece United StatesGreece United States

• built building with columns, marble steps, and carvings 2,000 years ago

• copied Greece on columns, marble steps, and carvings in 1935

Law of the LandLaw of the Land Ancient Greece developed a written system of laws.

Solon was a Greek known for the fairness of the laws and system he created. These laws were made for the good of the people and the state, not any ONE ruler. This is called positive law. Ancient Greece developed a procedure for enforcing laws. This procedure included a court and jury system. Greece started the first jury system in which the United States still practices today.

A jury is 12 people who listen to your case in court and decide if you are guilty or not of a crime. Every citizen has the right to be heard by a Jury in a court of law.

Quick QuizQuick Quiz Circle the words that best describe the ancient

Greek legal system.

fairpositive

kingcourtunfairjury

Similarities Similarities of Greek and U.S. Lawof Greek and U.S. Law

Much of our law system today is a result of the early development of ancient Greek law. Today our laws are made to protect protect the best interests of the peoplethe best interests of the people.. Today our legal procedure includes courtscourts and juries.juries.

Quick QuizQuick Quiz Which one is NOT a similarity between

the ancient Greek’s legal system and our legal system?

a. laws protect people’s best interests

b. court

c. juries

d. ruled by President

Follow the LeaderFollow the Leader Athens was an important center of

ancient Greece. The Athenians had a history of being ruled by rich landholders and tyrants. The Athenians did not want to be ruled by rich men or anyone who wanted to control them. They wanted leaders who represented the people’s best interests. They established the idea that a community should choose its own leaders. The Athenian’s idea that a community should choose their own leaders is still an important idea today. It is an important part of a democracy! Americans choose their leaders by voting.voting.

Quick QuizQuick QuizCircle the correct answer.

Americans choose their leaders by_______.

Drawing straws lottery voting

Match each leader to his or her community.

a. Americans ___ teacher

b. Athenians ___ U.S. President

c. Students in the class ___ leader of Athens

Democratic DecisionsDemocratic Decisions The democratic government of the United States is

based on the principles or ideas developed in ancient Greece. In a democracy, people vote to make decisions. There are two kinds of democracies…

Types of DemocracyTypes of Democracy

Greece United States

Direct RepresentativeWhere ALL citizens

directly vote for lawsWhere citizens elect

representatives to vote for laws.

Quick QuizQuick Quiz Read each situation below. Decide if it is an example of

a direct or representative democracy. Write D for direct or R for representative on each line.

____ Your whole class votes on where to go for a field trip. ____ The student council decides how to spend the fundraiser money. ____ U.S. citizens elect members of the electoral college who cast votes for the next president.____ Citizens of your county vote on building a new library.

Global GreekGlobal Greek

Greece is located on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe. Greece is on the southern tip of the peninsula. The Ionian Sea is on the west side of Greece and the Aegean Sea is on the east side of Greece. The Mediterranean Sea is south of Greece. Italy’s boot shaped peninsula is kicking Greece with its heel. Greece is East of Italy.

Quick QuizQuick QuizCircle the correct answer.

Italy is located _____ of Greece.

a. North

b. South

c. East

d. West

The The

EndEnd