Ancient Greece: Study Guide
7th Grade Social Studies
Greek Religious Structure
-The Greeks had a very unique religion. It differed from the other religions of the
time period in many ways. The differences are a good insight into how the Greeks
viewed themselves as human beings.
-Key Differences in Greek Religion from other Ancient Religons
º The Greeks believed that their gods lived on Earth. They were not
otherworldly beings that lived in the ‘heavens’. The location of the Greek
gods home was on Mt. Olympus, the tallest mountain in Greece. The fact that
the Greek gods lived on Earth says a lot about how the Greeks thought of
themselves. They believed that they were close to their gods, that they were
indeed, similar to the gods.
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The Greek gods would often times come down off of Mt. Olympus and interact
directly with mortals on Earth. This is very different from other ancient
religions where individuals were to have received the word of God or Gods and
asked to deliver that message to the people. No, in fact, in Greece the gods
delivered messages personally. (Or had Hermes deliver them). They could come
down in their own likeness, but many times were disguised. Some gods had a
preferred form, such as Zeus as a White Bull. Not only did the gods come down
to Earth, they often were said to have a major role in the individual lives of
mortals on Earth.
The Greek gods were fallible. This means that they had flaws. They were not
perfect as was the idea about many of the gods of the ancient world. In fact,
the Greek gods constantly made ‘human’ mistakes. They had human emotions and
characteristics. The reasoning behind this two-fold: 1) The Greeks had an ego.
They thought they were the epitome of civilization and considered themselves
the most like the gods out of any other civilization on Earth. Therefore,
making the gods like them enabled them to be closer to the gods. 2) The Greeks
created their gods in their image simply because this is what they saw around
them, and it was all they understood.
The Greek gods were one of the ways the Greeks explained their natural world.
While the Greeks gave their gods human characteristics and flaws, they also
gave them supernatural powers (after all, what would separate man from god).
These powers were often the powers of Earth. The Greeks saw these as forces
they could not control and therefore there must be some divine influence
controlling nature. They gave Zeus the sky (Rain, clouds, lightning, thunder,
and wind) Poseidon the Sea (the earthquake and all other Earth surface forces).
Apollo was said to drive a chariot through the sky towing the sun behind him.
Demeter controlled the fauna of the world. These are a few examples. this is
not a major difference in Greek Religion, as many other religions explain
nature through divinity as well, but it does
Greek Literature/Mythology
- There is a lot to be learned by reading Greek Mythology and the literature of the
time period. The Greek myths were more than just interesting stories of the gods and
heroes. They were more a reflection on Greek society at the times. They also provide
insight into how the Greeks thought of themselves as human beings.
-Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks
concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and
significance of their own cult and ritual practices. It is important to remember that
the Greeks believed these stories to be fact, not fiction.
-Remember to think about the pieces of literature we read in class: Aesop’s Fables,
Poetry by Solon, Oedipus Rex, the Perseus/Medusa Myth.
Athenian Democracy
-In 508 B.C.E. the Greeks developed the world’s first democracy. It was a
revolutionary form of government that had a huge impact on western civilization.
It was the model of many forms of modern democracy, including the United States,
England and France. Our word democracy comes from the Greek word, Demokratia,
literally translated as ‘people power’. The democratic ideals put forth first by
the Greeks are extremely relevant in today’s world. In Iraq, they have formed a
democratic government based on the same ideals. What are the ideals of democracy?
º That tyrants and Oligarchies (Rule by a few) were ineffective and did not help
society/civilization make progress.
º That the people of a city-state should govern themselves.
º That the people have a voice and can contribute to the advancement of
civilization.
º The fact that the Greeks elected government officials by lot (random) suggests
a faith in humanity to do what is right for the whole of the community.
º That decisions about the direction of a community (or in this case, City-State)
need to be made by a consensus (agreement) among the people. That one man, or
a few men, can not make a decision for the whole.
- Structure of Athenian Democracy
º citizens of Athens were: males, over age 18, both parents were Athenian
º Branches: The Council of 500, The Assembly, and the Law Courts
-Council of 500: Function was to create laws to propose to the Assembly.
Responsible for maintaining the city’s infrastructure (Roads, buildings,
sewage, etc.) Responsible for dealing in foreign affairs. Athenian citizens
were drawn by lot (random) to serve. 50 representatives from each of the 10
tribes of Athens.
-Assembly: Function was to vote on laws, city improvements, and declarations of
war proposed by the Council of 500. All Athenian citizens who were not
currently elected to an official position in the Council of 500 or the Law
Courts served in the Assembly
- The Law Courts: Function was to hear trials of criminal cases. By doing this
they are interpreting the laws passed by the Assembly. Athenian citizens
chosen by lot to serve in the Law Courts. Upwards of 6000 members at times.
- The lasting influence of Athenian Democracy is evident in much of Western
Civilization today. The U.S. and French Revolutions were strikingly similar to the
revolt in Greece that lead to democracy. All three civilizations deposed tyrannical
monarchs and instituted democracy. The U.S. founding fathers looked back directly at
Athenian democracy when forming the U.S. Republic.
Greek Architecture
- The Greeks developed three architectural systems, called orders, each with their own
distinctive proportions and detailing. The Greek orders are: Doric, Ionic, and
Corinthian.
Doric
Ionic
Corinthian
The Doric style is
rather sturdy and its
top (the capital), is
plain. This style was
used in mainland
Greece and the
colonies in southern
Italy and Sicily.
The Ionic style is
thinner and more
elegant. Its capital
is decorated with a
scroll-like design (a
volute). This style
was found in eastern
Greece and the
islands.
The Corinthian style
is seldom used in the
Greek world, but
often seen on Roman
temples. Its capital
is very elaborate and
decorated with
acanthus leaves.
- Greek Architecture was built to be aesthetically pleasing. This means that it was
‘nice to look at’, it was beautiful located and was testament to the power of a
city-state.
- The most recognizable piece of Greek Architecture is by far the Parthenon in Athens.
It was dedicated to the goddess Athena and served as her temple. The Parthenon was
finally finished in 432 BC and showed the world the dominance and power of Athens.
º The style of the Parthenon has been copied all over the world from the
Parliament building in Berlin, Germany, to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington,
D.C., to the Courthouse in Denver, CO.
- The Parthenon was not the only example of Greek Architecture that has been
duplicated in Western Civilization. What are the connections you can make between the
two structures?
º Lincoln’s Statue in the Lincoln Memorial: Statue of Zeus at Olympia
º The Statue of Liberty: The Colossus of Rhodes
º Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Ancient Greek Amphitheatres
º World War II Memorial Friezes: Friezes that adorn many Greek Temples