Download The Greeks: The Crucible of Civilization

DVD Learning Guide
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The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization
(1999)
®
A Homeschool Learning Network Learning Guide
Format:
Age Levels:
Genre:
Category:
Rating:
Length:
Producer:
Warnings:
DVD
Middle School, High School
Documentary
History, World
NR
165 Minutes
PBS
None
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Summary
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Western thought was shaped, to a great extent, by the influences of the Greek civilization. Our ideas of
democracy, philosophy, politics and even science can be traced back over 2,000 years ago to a small city
that became a pivotal point in the history of Western civilization. Liam Neeson narrates this documentary
centering on the lives of the most influential Athenians. The brilliant Themistocles’ story is told in stunning
detail, and is followed by the narration of the influences that Pericles had on Athens. Pericles’ consort,
Aspasia, one of the most well educated women of her time, contributed a wealth of new ideas to Athenian
life. This forever shaped the idea that women could stand on the same intellectual ground as men. The last
spotlight falls on a man who is renowned for his contributions to philosophy and Western thought--Socrates.
Follow along on this fascinating journey through ancient Greek brilliance!
Vocabulary (Grades 6-12)
Try the following activities with the vocabulary words to the right. Depending
on the age and ability of your students, they may be able to complete
assignments from multiple grade levels.
6-8:
Write a description or review about this DVD using the vocabulary
words. Above each vocabulary word, write N if it is a noun, V if it is a
verb; ADJ if it is an adjective; ADV if it is an adverb.
6-12: Copy the vocabulary words onto a sheet of paper. What do you think
each word means? Write down what you think the words mean from
your own knowledge. Now, look up each word in a dictionary, and
compare definitions. How close were you? Write each word in a
sentence, or write a paragraph or DVD summary using the words.
9-12: Write down words you hear in the video you don’t understand. Break
the words into parts and see if you can determine the meanings. Look
up the meanings.
© 2011, Homeschool Learning Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.hlnfamily.com
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Vocabulary
Civilization
City-State
Crucible
Athenian
Character
Democracy
Export
Oracle
Consort
Olympics
Marathon
Trireme
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Discussion Questions
Ask students to read through their questions carefully before watching the film, and take notes
during the film. After watching it, ask students to write their answers to the following questions on
a separate piece of paper.
Intermediate
1. Who was Cleisthenes and what is he credited with?
2. How did Greek democracy change everyday life for the Athenians?
3. What was Themistocles famed for? How did he save Athens?
4. What Greek monument did Pericles construct? What are some of his other contributions to
Athenian life?
5. What event was Pericles involved in that dramatically changed democracy in Athens?
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6. Who was named the “First Lady of Athens”? How did she influence Athenian life? Why was
this so controversial?
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7. Why were the thoughts of Socrates so revolutionary? How did the Athenians react to him?
How does Socrates still influence us today?
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1. Explain the events that led to the birth of democracy.
2. How did democracy change the economic patterns and distribution of wealth for the
Athenians?
3. In the war with the Persian Empire, how did Themistocles convince the Athenian council to
spend money to build ships? Do you think this was ethical? What might have happened if he
had not convinced the council?
4. Pericles made many contributions to the culture of Greek civilization. Name three.
5. Explain the saying “The vanity of Athens was finally its downfall”.
6. How did Socrates defend himself when he was on trial?
7. How did Socrates’ death change the view of the epic hero?
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Lessons & Activities
The Great Greek Vase
Subjects:
Grades:
Style:
Arts, History
3-8
Visual/Experiential/Kinesthetic
Concepts:
Students will learn about the art of Ancient Greece.
Athenian Painted Pottery http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~loxias/vase_menu.htm
Watch Black Figure and Red Figure Pottery being made and fired! Explore the different
uses of Greek pottery first hand. Go to other pages on this site to see vase painting!
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Lesson:
Ancient Greek pottery is unique and beautiful. Some of the pottery only has geometric designs on
them while others tell of mythological tales. Yet others can tell the history of this great culture.
Greek artists used a variety of paints and painting styles. They had limited color choice due to the
way specific colors reacted to being placed in the heat to bake. These artists were influenced by
the various cultures that they traded. This can be seen through the various sizes and uses of
Greek pottery. Ancient Greeks made small bottles for holding oils, large jugs to hold water, and all
sizes in between!
Draw an Ancient Greek Urn or Vase (Grades K-8)
Materials:
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Heavy white paper, 8 ½" x 11 or larger
Scissors
Colored crayons
Black crayons
Scratching tools (paper clip, tooth pick, flat side of a plastic knife)
Look at the following examples of Greek vases and urns.
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Athenian Painted Pottery http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~loxias/vase_menu.htm
The Origins of Greek Pottery http://www.2020site.org/greece/
Greek Pottery http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/art/pottery/greekpots.htm
Directions:
1. Have students decide what kind of pottery piece they are going to make. Have them choose a
shape for your vase or urn, and draw it on your paper.
2. Cut out the vase.
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3. Next, have them color in the vase or urn with colored crayons. Press hard and make sure that
the vase it completely colored in.
4. When they have finished coloring in the vase or urn, color over this area with a black crayon.
Make sure to cover the colored crayons well.
5. Now scratch a design into your vase or urn gently with your scratching tools. It can either be a
geometrical repeating pattern or it can tell a story.
6. When they have finished have them mount it on a large piece of colored construction paper.
7. Remember to label it just like they do in the museums! Provide the following information: name
of artist, time it was made, what materials were used, age of artist, what the art piece is called,
and what story it tells.
Make a Clay Amphoria (Grades K-8)
Materials:
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A kitchen garbage bag
Self-hardening clay
Rolling Pin
Scissors
Newspaper to cover working area
Bucket with water in it
A cardboard cut into a circle (This should be around 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches in diameter)
Plastic knife
Ruler
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The bucket of water is for the students to use to keep their hands wet while working with the clay.
Remind them not to wash their hands in the sink until they have rinsed their hands in the bucket of
water. The clay can harden in the sink's pipes! Dispose of the water outdoors. Use the plastic bag
to cover the artwork if it needs to be completed in more than one sitting.
Directions:
1. Place the cardboard circle on the table in front of you.
2. Take some clay out and have the students flatten it with a rolling pin. Have them place the
cardboard circle on top of the clay. Cut out the circle with knife. Smooth it out with a little bit of
water.
3. Have them take more clay and roll it between their hands and the table. It will look like a snake.
Be sure to make the coil even in thickness. Have them make 5- 6 coils to begin with.
4. Start placing them on top of the round piece they just made. Spiral it upwards.
5. When the amphora is about 7 inches tall, stop. Smooth out the sides by wetting your fingers
with water. You want both of the walls to be symmetrical (same size).
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6. Once the amphora sides are smoothed out, have them make a few more coils. Now they will be
making the spiral come in a little, creating the neck of the amphora. Have students smooth this
out with wet fingers.
7. Instruct students to make handles and attach them to the amphora. Let it dry.
8. Once it is dry, have them paint the amphora with a design that they liked while viewing the links
above!
9. Don't forget to have them put their initials on the bottom when they are done.
Additional Lessons and Activities for Your Child’s Learning Style
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Visual (seeing)
• Compare and contrast Greek sculptures and paintings of the 6th century with paintings and
sculptures from the Renaissance. Visit the New Greek Galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of
Fine Art to view Greek art: http://harpy.uccs.edu/greek/hellsculpt.html. Next visit Renaissance
Sculpture and Carvings at http://www.kfki.hu/keptar/english/zmisc/faragvan/16_sz/. Make a list
of differences and similarities between the two styles.
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Auditory (hearing)
• Listen to some Ancient Greek music! Go to the Ancient Greek Music page at the following site
http://www.oeaw.ac.at/kal/agm/index.htm and listen to some of the MIDI files of Greek music
played in the ancient world. Write a review of the music.
Read this article about Greek Music and then listen to music played on the Greek Lyre here.
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210200/ancient_greece/music.htm
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What was the language of the Ancient Greeks, and what did it sound like? View the Ancient
Greek language at this ThinkQuest entry: http://library.thinkquest.org/17709/language/. Use
the resource to learn to speak the letters of ancient Greece!
Experiential (feeling, internalizing)
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Imagine that you are one of the Greek Gods. Illustrate a picture and write a paragraph or more
about what you would do with your new powers. Look at the Greek Gods and Goddesses page
to gather background information about which God or Goddess you would like to be!
http://www.loggia.com/myth/gods.html
•
Be Greek Reporter! Imagine that you are writing an article for the entertainment section of a
Greek newspaper. Choose a type of event from this page and then write a report about what
happened and who the people were that came.
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Kinesthetic (movement and tactile)
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The Greeks began the tradition of the Olympic games. Plan a Greek Olympiad by competing in
games of competition. Have relay races, long jump events and discus throw. (A Frisbee may be
used as an alternative.)
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Stage a Greek Play! Use a play listed on the Ancient Greece Stories, Plays and Skill / Work
Sheets
page
(http://web.archive.org/web/20070430002932/http://www.hipark.austin.isd.tenet.edu/mythology/
links.html)
•
Build a Greek mask to use in your play! Follow this link to an interesting and diverse lesson on
the history of Greek masks, and then create one yourself!
o http://www.ndollak.com/GreekLesson1.html
BOOKS
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Atlanta's Race: A Greek Myth.
Climo, Shirley. Clarion. 1995. ISBN: 0395673224
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Learn More! Books and Online Resources
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Eyewitness: Ancient Greece.
Pearson, Anne. DK, 2001. ISBN: 0789457504
Growing Up In Ancient Greece.
Chilepi, Chris. Troll, 1992. ISBN: 0816727201
The Cambridge Illustrated History of Ancient Greece.
Cartledge, Paul. Cambridge University, 1998. ISBN: 0521481961
ONLINE RESOURCES
The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization
http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/htmlver/
This site is the companion informational guide to the documentary. Timelines and in-depth
information are provided on these pages about each historical figure presented. Background
information is also included.
Ancient Greece - History, Mythology, Art, Culture and Architecture
http://www.ancientgreece.com/
This site is beautifully designed, with thorough information about ancient Greece. It is presented
simply, and is well organized.
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