Ancient Greece Study Guide
Vocabulary
1. Characteristic- a trait
2, Contribution – the act of giving or doing something
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Physical Characteristics
Greece is on the continent of Europe.
Greece is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea.
Greece is very hot and dry.
Greece has many mountains.
Human Characteristics
Men were farmers, traders, and shipbuilders.
Farming was difficult because of the mountains.
Independent communities developed in Greece because of the
mountains. These communities are called city-states.
City-states had their own laws and beliefs.
The Greeks specialized in farming (ex. Grapes and olives) and
shipbuilding.
Government
 Greece is known as the “birthplace of democracy.”
 Greece had a form of government called a direct democracy.
 Direct Democracy – a government in which the people vote to make
their own rules and laws.
 Only men were allowed to participate in the government.
Architecture
 Greece is famous for creating the columns.
 The Parthenon is an example of the use of columns in architecture.
 In the United States, the Supreme Court building, the Lincoln Memorial,
and the U.S. Capitol building all use columns in their architecture.
Art
 The Greeks created sculptures, paintings, and mosaics that were
displayed on buildings.
 Mosaics- pictures created by using bits of tile or glass.
 The Greeks specialized in making pottery.
Sports
 The Olympics were first started in Ancient Greece.
 Only men were allowed to participate in the Olympics.
 Men competed for different prizes: clothes, oil, pots, and vases.