Download The First Olympics!!! - Mr. Davis` World History Webpage!

The First Olympics!!!
-The first day of the Olympics was reserved for sacrifices to
the gods.
-On the second day, foot-races were held. The most respected
event was the foot-race of about 220 yards.
-On other days, wrestling and boxing were staged. Horse
racing was restricted to the wealthy because horses were
expensive to purchase.
-The pentathalon tested all-around strength. The pentathalon
included five events: a 200-yard (180 meters) sprint, the long
jump, wrestling, javelin and discus.
Our Olympics!! Scavenger hunt!!
-Today we will simulate the first Olympics by have a scavenger
hunt (race) to find information about Greece scattered around
the room. You must get all the answers correct to win!
-Before you are allowed to get out of your desk you must
make one basket with a paper ball, it you miss Mr. Davis will
toss you another ball.
Section 1!
History
1-The games dated from 776 BC., and reached their height in the 4th and 5th
centuries BC. In AD 393, they were ended by Christian Byzantine emperor
Theodosius I. It was not until 1896 that the modern Olympics were staged again,
and they have been repeated every four years with the exception of 1916
(World War I), 1940 and 1944 (World War II).
2-Greece is a rocky peninsula with lots of mountains. Few crops can grow in its
stony soil. But Greece is surrounded by water, which is its greatest natural
resource. Ancient Greeks depended on the sea for fishing and trade.
3-As their population grew, ancient Greeks formed city-states. A city-state had a
central city called a polis. Each city-state had its own form of government and
laws. All the city-states shared a common language, religion, and way of life.
4-Three kinds of government were common in the Greek city-states. In an
oligarchy, a few powerful and wealthy people ruled. Other city-states were
ruled by a single person who took control against the wishes of the people. This
kind of government is called a tyranny. Some city-states were democracies. In a
democracy, people take part in their own government.
5-Two of the most important city-states were Athens and Sparta. Athens,
located in the center of the Greek Peninsula, was a democracy. Sparta was in
the southern part of the Greek Peninsula. It was an oligarchy ruled by two kings.
6-The ancient Greeks were known for their great literature, learning, and
architecture. Plays are among the finest pieces of literature from ancient
Greece. Some modern operas and films are based on these plays.
7-Ancient Greece had several important thinkers called philosophers. Socrates
was a well-known philosopher. He taught about knowledge, friendship, and
justice.
Section 2!
Map
Section 3!
Timeline
Timeline for Ancient Greece
The Bronze Age 3000 - 1100
1. 2,000 - 1,700B.C. – Mycenaeans enter mainland Greece
2. 1400 B.C. – The rise of Mycenaean naval strength
3. 1250 B.C. – Decline and eclipse of Mycenaean civilization
4. 1200 B.C. – Trojan war begins
5. 1184 B.C. –City of Troy falls to the Greeks under Agamemnon
The Dark Age 1100 – 700 B.C.
1. 1100 B.C. – End of Mycenaean age and civilization. Monarchies rule early city states
2. 1000 B.C. – Greek colonization of eastern coasts of Aegean.
3. 900 B.C. – Dorian migration to the Aegean islands, Asia Minor and the
Peloponnesus
5. 850 B.C. – Homer composes The Iliad and The Odyssey
6. 790 B.C. – Greek trading settlement at Al Mina in Syria
7. 776 B.C. – First recorded Olympic games held
8. 750 B.C. – Greek colonies established in southern Italy & Sicily
a. Invention of Greek alphabet
b. Homeric poems recorded in writing
c. Geometric pottery created
Archaic Period 700 – 480B.C.
1. 650 B.C. – Earliest Lyric Poets
2. 630 B.C. – Lyric poet Sappho born in Lesbos
Archaic Period 700 – 480B.C.
3. 625 B.C. – Thales, Greek mathematician and founder of geometry born in Miletos
4. 569 B.C. – Pythagoras, Greek mathematician and discover of Pythagorean Theorem is born in Samos
5. 594 B.C. – Solon replaces the Draconian law in Athens and lays the foundation for Democracy; he also
introduces Athens to the first coinage and a system of weights and measures
Classical Period 480 – 323 B.C.
1. 479 B.C. – Greeks defeat Persian army at the Battle of Plateae
2. 470 B.C. – Socrates, Greek Philosopher is born
3. 460 B.C. – Perikles leads Athens through its "Golden Era" (ca. 460-429)
4. 449 B.C. –Construction of Parthenon begins on the Acropolis
5. 446 B.C. – Thirty-year peace treaty between Athens and Sparta
6. 430 B.C. – Plague in Athens
7. 427 B.C. – Plato, Greek philosopher is born
8. 418 B.C. – Athenians resume war, Spartans defeat Athens at Mantinea
9. 404 B.C. – Athens surrenders to Sparta and is ruled by 30 Tyrants
10. 403 B.C. – Democracy restored in Athens 28. 399 B.C. – Trial and execution of Socrates
11. 384 B.C. – Aristotle, Greek philosopher and naturalist, is born
12. 336 B.C. – Alexander the Great becomes king of Macedonia
13. 334 – 326B.C. – The armies of Alexander invade Asia and conquer from Egypt to India, establishing
Alexandrian Empire
14. 323 B.C. – Alexander the Great dies
Hellenistic Period 323 – 146B.C.
1. 300 B.C. – Ptolemy I founds museum in Alexandria
2. 287 B.C. – Archimedes, Greek mathematician and engineer is born in Syracuse
3. 279 B.C. – Invasion of Greece by Celts
4. 146 B.C. –Rome invades Greece and rules from then on
Section 4!
Inventions
Ancient Greek Inventions #1 - Alarm clock
The first alarm clock was conceptualized in ancient Greece. It was thought up by Ctesibus, a Hellenistic
engineer and inventor. During those days, time was usually indicated using a water clock. Ctesibus then
used an elaborate system comprised of dropping pebbles on to a gong to make a sound. This sound was
set to happen at specific time intervals, giving rise to a rather crude yet effective version of the modern
alarm clock.
Ancient Greek Inventions #2 - Odometers
Odometers are measuring tools that help quantify distance. They were originally used to figure out how
much distance has already been travelled by a vehicle.
Ancient Greek Inventions #3 - Thermometer
The thermometer is constantly being used for a wide array of needs today from health care to
chemistry. The original technology behind it is quite old, dating back almost 2,000 years ago. It was the
Greeks of Alexandria that first figured out how air expands when exposed to high temperatures.
Ancient Greek Inventions #4 - Maps
It seems logical nowadays to always have a map leading you from one spot to another but in the old
days, the concept wasn't as prevalent. Before the ancient Greeks introduced maps, guides were vague,
prone to mistakes and misinterpretations, and mostly written by sailors in a descriptive manner.
It was the Greek Anaximander who conceptualized the idea of longitude and latitude to standardize land
plotting. Other Greeks like Strabo and Eratosthenes further created maps spanning the world.
Ancient Greek Inventions #5 - Crane
The crane was an important tool that is still being used today for construction purposes. Unlike the
original Greek design, however, the modern crane is sturdier and capable of carrying heavier weight.
The original concept the ancient Greeks came up with, didn’t change—an elongated item was attached
to ropes that help hoist up heavy objects for building.
Ancient Greeks Inventions #6 - Cannon
Believe it or not, the ancient Greeks had a significant part in the development of cannons, or at least the
concept behind them, for use at war. The old Greek cannons operated through compressed air,
launching projectiles to a target.
Section 5!
People
Greek Philosophers

Socrates - First of the great Greek Philosophers. He is considered
by many to be the founder of Western philosophy.

Plato - Student of Socrates. He wrote many dialogues using
Socrates as a major character. He also founded the Academy in
Athens.

Aristotle - Student of Plato. Aristotle was a philosopher and
scientist. He was interested in the physical world. He was also
teacher to Alexander the Great.
Greek Poets



Homer - Homer was the most famous of the Greek epic poets. He
wrote the epic poems the Iliadand the Odyssey.
Pindar - Pindar is considered the greatest of the nine lyric poets of
Ancient Greece. He is most known today for his odes.
Sappho - One of the great lyric poets, she wrote romantic poetry
that was very popular in her day.
Greek Scientists

Archimedes - He is considered one of the great mathematicians
and scientists in history. He made many discoveries both in math
and physics including many inventions.

Aristarchus - An astronomer and mathematician, Aristarchus was
the first to put the sun at the center of the known universe rather
than the Earth.
Greek Scientists

Euclid - The Father of Geometry, Euclid wrote a book
called Elements, likely the the most famous mathematical
textbook in history.

Hippocrates - A scientist of medicine, Hippocrates is called the
Father of Western Medicine. Doctors still take the Hippocratic
Oath today.

Pythagoras - A scientist and philosopher, he came up with the
Pythagorean Theorem still used today in much of geometry.
Greek Leaders

Alexander the Great - Often called the greatest military
commander in history, Alexander expanded the Greek empire to
its greatest size, never losing a battle.

Cleisthenes - Called the Father of Athenian Democracy,
Cleisthenes helped to reform the constitution so the democracy
could work for all.

Demosthenes - A great statesman, Demosthenes was considered
the greatest orator (speech giver) of Greek times.

Draco - Famous for his Draconian law that made many offences
punishable by death.

Pericles - A leader and statesman during the golden age of
Greece. He helped democracy to flourish and led great building
projects in Athens that still survive today.