Download Chapter 8 Section 3 Greek Culture

Chapter 7 Section 3
Greek Culture
The Olympics
• Athletic competition
between Greek citystates originated in 776
B.C. and was held
regularly until A.D. 393.
The Olympics
• If the city-states were at war they
declared a truce to attend the
Olympics.
• Was a celebration to honor the
Greek god Zeus.
The Olympics
• There were running races,
javelin-throwing, and horse races.
• Competitors in the events often
competed with no clothes on.
The Olympics
• A popular event was the
“Pancratium” which was a
combined boxing and wrestling
match.
Mythology and Religion
• The Greeks worshipped many
different gods therefore they were
polytheistic.
Mythology and Religion
• Greeks believed that
their gods interfered in
the lives of humans. So
they offered hymns,
prayers, and sacrifices
to their gods.
Shrines
• Special sites where Greeks
believed the gods lived
Oracles
• Prophesies, or predictions of the
future
• Many Greeks paid fees in order to
have a priest or priestess tell
them their future.
Greek Architecture
• In the mid-400s B.C., the
Athenian ruler Pericles
(PEHR ih kleez) decided to
repair the damage done to
the city during the wars with
Persia.
Greek Architecture
• The great artist Phidias (FIHD ee
uhs) supervised the design and
construction of several new
buildings in Athens.
The Parthenon
• Most famous temple in Athens
dedicated to the goddess of the
city, Athena.
The Parthenon
• Built of white marble with rows of
tall columns, it is a prime example
of Greek architecture.
Greek Drama
• The earliest plays began as
dances and songs performed
every year at a festival honoring
the Greek god Dionysus.
Tragedies
• Greek plays with a serious stories
involving men and women who
met disastrous ends.
Comedies
• Light hearted plays that poked fun
at aristocrats and gods.
Amphitheater
• A round stage set at the base of a
hill surrounded by rows of
benches and seats.
Greek Drama
• Greek actors performed in
Amphitheaters wearing mask that
highlighted the features of the
character they were portraying.
Greek Art
• In contrast to other art of
ancient civilizations,
Greek artist strived to
capture realistic
depictions of people in
their sculptures and
paintings.
Greek Science and Math
• The ancient Greece established
several scientific principles that
are in use still today.
Hippocrates
(hih PAHK ruh teez)
• Greek physician that
attempted to explain
illnesses by natural
causes rather than
supernatural forces.
Hippocrates
(hih PAHK ruh teez)
• He was the first to
begin keeping careful
records of illnesses
and treatments and
thus began the
scientific practice of
medicine.
Pythagoras
(pih THAG ur uhs)
• Greek mathematician
who originated many
mathematical theories
that are still used today.
Greek Philosophy
Philosophy
• Thinking about and studying
human behavior and morals.
• Comes from the Greek Word for
“love and wisdom”
Socrates
(SAHK ruh teez)
• Famous Greek
philosopher who
questioned people’s
duty in city-states and
the need for laws.
Plato (PLAY toe)
• Student of Socrates who
opened a school of
philosophy
• Plato pondered the
nature of love, courage,
and goodness.
Aristotle
• A student of Plato
that wrote books
about art, physics,
astronomy, weather,
and biology.