Chapter 1 Questions – Ancient Greece
1. Use a map to locate the Mediterranean Sea and compare and contrast Athens and Sparta.
2. How was Ancient Greece similar to the United States? How was it different?
3. Would you rather live in Athens or Sparta? Why?
4. What job would you have had in Ancient Greece? Why?
5. Why would the Greek’s have traded their goods?
Chapter 2 Questions - Religion
1. In chapter 2, it explains that Greek families often had altars in their homes. Altars were very important to
these families. What is an object that holds high importance for your family? Why?
2. The Greeks made statues of their gods, because they were very important to them. If you could make a
statue of someone who is very important to you, who would it be and why?
3. Reread the section about Echo on pages 28 and 29. Explain how the meaning of the English word “echo”
is related to this story.
4. Which of the gods mentioned is your favorite? Why?
5. Many of the Greek gods were directly related to Zeus, the ruler of the gods. Make a family tree for the
gods, using Zeus as a starting point.
6. What is the meaning of the Greek word “Phoebus”?
7. How were the Greek festivals similar to or different from festivals that we have today?
Chapter 3 Questions – Daily Life in Ancient Greece
1. If you were to create a city in Ancient Greece, where would you put the marketplace?
2. Why do you think there were so few rooms in an ancient Greek house?
3. Compare and contrast your house and the house on page 42/43.
4. Compare and contrast the clothing of today from that of ancient Greece.
5. What is your opinion of boys going to school and girls staying at home?
6. If you went to ancient Greece and went to the gymnasium, what would you like to do? What would you
recommend they try?
7. What do we use olive oil for today? Was it used the same way in ancient Greece as it is today?
8. Who normally did all the shopping in Ancient Greece?
9. If you were a person living in Ancient Greece, what might your day be like?
Chapter 4 Questions – The Culture of Ancient Greece
1. What is one question you would ask Socrates if you could meet him?
2. How is the Parthenon similar to the Lincoln Memorial?
3. What are 2 differences between Ancient Greek plays and modern day plays?
4. What is a philosophy of yours?
5. Do you agree with Socrates that money isn’t enough to make a person happy? Why or why not?
6. Why were amphitheaters built in a half circle on the slope of a hill?
7. “The ancient Greeks left gifts for the whole world to enjoy,” what is your favorite?
8. Athenian pots and vases show scenes of heroes, what hero scene would you draw?
Chapter 5 – Early Olympics
1. Why do you think they would not let women compete in the Olympics?
2. Why do you think they stopped everything for the Olympics?
3. If you were Kallipateria, would you have taken a chance and dressed up like a boy to attend the
Olympics? Why or why not?
4. Why did the ancient Greeks honor the gods with sporting events and contests?
5. If you were asked to be a messenger today, how would you do it differently from the messengers in the
book?
6. What “truce” have you experienced in your life?
7. How long did the athletes train?
8. What was the penalty for cheating?
Chapter 6 – Olympic Grounds
1. Why do you think the third night of the Olympics was always held during a full moon?
2. From your knowledge of this time period, what kind of sacrifices do you think individuals brought?
3. What do you think inspired sculptors to make such a large statue of Zeus?
4. Why might the statues of Zeus and Hera be in the middle of a grove of trees?
5. Why do you think the statue of Zeus was covered in ivory and gold?
Chapter 7 – Let the Olympic Games Begin
1. What would result if the athletes’ did not take an oath before the games began?
2. What would happen if a runner began the race early?
3. What questions would you ask in an interview with one of the athletes in the games?
4. Why do you think that the Horse Races were the only event that women could win?
5. What is your opinion of the pankration event?
6. On the first day of the Olympics, athletes and judges took an oath. Think about our world today and
write down where or when you may see people taking oaths.
7. During horseback races many off the drivers fell off the chariots. If they won the race, the rider/ driver
would not be given a prize. The prize was given to the horse owner. In your opinion, explain why you
think this is fair or not fair.
8. Chapter 7 introduces all of the Olympic events held in Ancient Greece. Compare one of the events with
an event in the Olympics today.
Chapter 8 – The Olympics Today
1. How is life different for modern women than it was for the women of ancient Greece, besides that they
are allowed to compete in the Olympic Games?
2. What do athletes in the modern Olympics compete to honor?
3. What “brilliant events” do you think Epictetus was talking about on page 109?
4. Can you find a solution to make the ancient Olympics more enjoyable for fans?
5. In your opinion, why did the Olympics return in 1896?
6. What is the purpose of having the Olympics in different countries each year?
7. Compare and contrast the ancient Olympics and the modern Olympics.