Topic 7 The Legacies of Greece and Rome
Objectives
Knowledge 1. To acquire the basic knowledge of the achievements of ancient Greece and
Rome
2. To know the legacies of ancient Greece and Rome persist to the present day
Skills
1. To build concept: ‘continuity’ and ‘legacy’ in the studying of history
2. To find out ‘similarities’ and ‘differences’
Attitude
1. To appreciate the contributions of the ancestors and predecessors
2. To respect the different cultures
Teaching flow
Items
Format
1
Question to
ponder
2
To know
more
A question and
brief
introduction
Basic
information
3
Task 1
Data based
questions
4
Task 2
Data based
questions
5
Task 3
Data based
questions
6
Extended
activity
Powerpoint
presentation
7
Conclusion
Summary chart
Teaching
Objectives
Let students have a
clear learning focus
Content
To introduce some
famous people of
ancient Greece and
Rome
To help students
understand the
original meanings
of some English
Words from Roman
civilization
To help students
find out continuity
and changes of the
Greek and Roman
religious beliefs
To help students
understand the
influences of the
Greek and Roman
culture
To encourage
students to learn
other legacies of
ancient Greece and
Rome
To consolidate
what students have
learnt
Description of some important
people of ancient Greece and
Rome
What are the legacies of
Greece and Rome?
Meaning of English words like
‘October’, ‘December’, ‘July’
and ‘August’, which come from
Roman civilization
Appearance, number and
functions of gods in the eyes of
Greeks and Romans and people
today
Influences of the Greek and
Roman culture in the areas of
Olympic Games and
architectural styles
Other legacies of ancient Greece
and Rome which are not covered
in the chapter
Summary of main legacies of
ancient Greece and Rome
covered in this unit
1
Question to ponder
What are the legacies of Greece and Rome?
To know more
2
Some famous people of ancient
Greece and Rome
Description
Augustus Caesar
The first emperor of the Roman Empire
Mark Antony
Married Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt
Julius Caesar
Introduced Julian calendar
Socrates
A great Greek philosopher
Herodotus
Father of History
Pythagoras
A great Greek mathematician
Task 1: Between Latin and English-Origin of some common English
words
Could we find the original meanings of some English Words from Roman civilization from
sources A to C?
Source A
Octo and Deca
Words like octo- and deca- come from Latin, the language of Rome. Latin is different from
Greek. The English language has borrowed heavily from both these two classical
languages. Just as English borrowed Latin words when it accepted the Roman calendar, it
borrowed Greek words when it adopted Greek teaching
Source B
July and August
Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar were great ancient Roman leaders. As Julius Caesar
was born in the 7th month of the Julian calendar, that month was named ‘Julius’ by
Augustus to honor Julius Caesar. The Romans also named the month of August after
Augustus. These names became July and August in English.
Topic 7
The legacies of Greece and Rome
Source C
Greek and Roman words in English
We have been using Roman and Greek words without realizing, for example, sophia =
wisdom; philo = love; philosophy = love of wisdom; geo = earth; metria = to measure;
geometry = measuring the earth, that is, the mathematics for measuring; -logy comes from
“logus”, which means “word”; geology, therefore, is talking about the earth, biology is talking
about life, etc.
The ancient Greek philosophers were interested in understanding the universe. In this sense,
they were also scientists. The word “science”, however, is Roman. In Latin, it simply means
“to know”.
Nowadays we usually talk about ‘democracy’. The word was formed from two Greek words
‘dêmos’, which refers to ‘people’ and ‘krátos’, which meant ‘government. So the word means
people’s government. This is also the idea of the city-states of Greece.
1. According to the writer as shown in Source A, which two languages does English borrow
from?
Suggested answer: Greek and Latin
2. With reference to Source B, could you tell us how the months are affected by Roman
civilization?
Suggested answer:
Month
Rome
July
The name of Roman emperor, Julius Caesar
August
The name of Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar
3. With reference to Source C, fill in the blanks as shown in the following table:
Suggested answer:
English words
Meaning
1.
Sophia

Wisdom
2.
Philosophy

Love of wisdom
3.
Democracy

Power of people
4.
Biology

Talking about life
5.
Geology

Talking about the earth
6.
Sociology

Talking about the Society
7.
Science

To know
3
Task 2
Religion-Human-like or not? One god or many gods?
Are there any changes of the Greek and Roman religious beliefs?
Source D shows the statue of god in Athens in the 1st century(left) and the statue of the ancient
Egyptian god in 1480BC. (right)
Source: photos provided by Ms Joan Cheng
4
Source E is a description of the Greek beliefs
It could be that the Greeks wanted to say something about human beings, so much so that
when they talked about their gods, even gods were very human-like. For example, they
could be both good and evil at the same time.
Source F is about Greek and Roman gods
The Roman gods were similar to the Greek gods. It is usually the case that different gods
are given different functions as follows:
Gods
Greek Name
Roman Name
Ruler of Gods
Zeus
Jupiter
God of War
Ares
Mars
Goddess of
Wisdom
Athena
Minerva
Goddess of Love
Aphrodite
Venus
However, religious beliefs in ancient changed greatly since 2nd century AD Christianity was
becoming increasingly important. It taught that a single God was the creator and law-giver.
When the Roman emperor also embraced this religion, from the time of Constantine (who
built Constantinople), the empire and religion under a single God were merged. There was
one god in heaven, and one emperor on earth, his representative.
Topic 7
The legacies of Greece and Rome
1.
Some people say that the gods in Greek times are more human-like than those of the
previous times. Do you agree? Cite evidence from Sources D and E to support your
answer.
Suggested answer:
I agree. The appearance of statues in the Greek time looks most human-like than those
of the previous times. Moreover, when the Greeks talked about their gods, even gods
were very human-like as gods could be both good and evil at the same time.
2.
Could you tell us one similarity and one difference in religion between Greek and
Roman times? Find out the answer from Source F.
Suggested answers:

Similarity: Both believed in god.

Difference: In Greek time, people believed that there were many gods, but in late
Roman time, they believed in one single god.
3.
Do you find that Christianity in ancient Rome is still similar to that at present?
Suggested answers:

Similarity: Christians still believe that there is only one god in Heaven.

Difference: Christians in the past believed the emperor on earth represented the
god. Nowadays the Christians do not believe that any more.
Task 3: Culture heritage-Greece and Rome-A symbol of civilization?
5
Do you agree that the culture of Greece and Rome still influence the world today?
Source G is about the impact of the Roman Empire.
The Roman Empire lasted for so long and embodied so much of Europe that for many
years afterwards, it remained a symbol of civilization. Especially after the fifteenth
century, it was looked upon as being much more civilized than the period that came after,
known as the Dark or Middle Ages. It became a symbol of Western civilization.
Source H
It is a cartoon video about ancient Olympic Games as shown in
http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Olympic-Games/Ancient-Olympic-Games/
Source I
Source: photo provided by Dr. Ma Muk Chi
Source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Parthe
non.Southern.Side.damaged.jpg
1. According to Source G, why do we say the Roman Empire remained a symbol of
civilization?
Suggested answer:
The Roman Empire lasted for so long and embodied so much of Europe for many years
afterwards.
6
2. Do you agree that the culture of Greece and Rome still influence the world today?
Explain your answer with reference to Sources H and I, and using your own knowledge.
Suggested answer:
Source H: Olympic Games, which came from ancient Greece, is still an important
sports event in the whole world today.
Source I: The former Legislative Council building in Central District shows the
Greek and Roman architectural styles.
These two examples show that the ancient Greek and Roman culture still influence
civilization nowadays. Other examples include numbers, words, calendar and so on.
Extended activity:
Powerpoint presentation: Are there any other legacies of ancient Greece and Rome?
Instruction:
1. Form a group of four to five
2. Choose ONE legacy of ancient Greece or Rome which is not covered in this
chapter
3. Make a Powerpoint to show the details of the legacy you chose.
4. Include key points and relevant photos/pictures in the Powerpoint
5. Present the Powerpoint to your class in 5 minutes
Topic 7
The legacies of Greece and Rome
Conclusion
The Roman Empire learnt a great deal from the Greeks, and, as the empire expanded,
Greek and Roman ideas and practices spread to many parts of Europe. For example, they
made an impact on the calendar, European words, ideas about knowledge, religion and
architecture. These influences are still with us today.
Summary chart
English
e.g.





October
December
July
August
Legacies of
Greece
&
Rome
7
Culture
e.g.


Gods
e.g.
Olympic Games
Architectural styles




Number
Appearance
Functions