ANCIENT

GREECE

History of Art and Architecture 1

GREECE REALM :
GEOGRAPHY
1. Mountainous peninsular jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea.
2. Included 2000 islands in the Aegean Sea and Ionian Sea
3. Greeks become skilled sailor because they live around the sea.
4. Uneven stony terrain made land transportation and farming difficult.
 Greece Realm: Geography

Advantages; Disadvantage;

Steep, rocky ridge act as Lack natural resources

protective wall against such as timber, metals
intruder. and farmland.
 Greece Realm: Myth
• The ancient Greeks were polytheistic –
worship many gods
• Gods and Goddesses live on Mount
Olympus, highest mountain in Greece.
• Myths described their lives and actions.
• Myths were used to help explain the
unknown and sometimes teach a lesson.
 Greece Realm: Government
• City-states, or polis, was a fundamental
political unit in ancient Greece.
• Made up of a city and its surrounding
countryside.
• At the agora, or marketplace, or on a
fortified hilltop called acropolis, citizen
gathered to discuss city government.
 Greece Realm: Government
• Two most prominent city-states; Athens
and Sparta
• City-states had many different forms of
government.
i. Monarchy
ii. Aristocracy
iii. Oligarchy
iv. Democracy
 Greece Realm: Sports
• Sports events
included in festivals
honoring Zeus.
• Held in Olympia.
• Games include; long
distance race, long
jump, javelin and the
famous discus throw.
Greece Realm: Art & Architecture
• Pericles, a great Athenian nobleman and
politician ordered construction of several
major temples on Acropolis.
• One of them is Parthenon – the finest
example of Greek architecture.
• Tribute to Athena, goddess of wisdom.
 Greece Realm: Philosophy
• Several Athenians great thinkers appear,
questioning their values.
• These thinkers were called philosophers;
meaning ‘lovers of wisdom’.
• Legendary Greek philosophers were;
– Socrates
– Plato
– Aristotle
 Athens vs Sparta
In 431 B.C, Peloponnesian War erupt between
Athens and Sparta. Imagine you are Athenians and
Spartans. Discuss;
• Form of government
• culture,
• strength
• weaknesses