Download The Greeks (500

Greeks and Romans
Unit Target: I can read and analyze a variety of
types of literature.
Daily Target: I will learn the history of the Greeks
and Romans before reading their mythology.
The Ancient Greeks
(500-100 B.C.)
Why do we study the Ancient Greeks?
We study them because they have had a HUGE
impact on Western culture.
Even today, company logos and names are taken from
Greek mythology. They discovered mathematical equations
we use to determine everyday measurements. Many of our
English words have Greek roots. They designed
architecture we mimic today.
In short,
they were an important civilization with lasting effects.
The Greeks: Time Periods
So when did the Greeks live?
There were four basic time periods or “ages”:
•Archaic Age (100 to 800 B.C)
•Lyric Age (800 to 500 B.C.)
•Golden Age/Age of Pericles (400 to 300 B.C.)
•Hellenistic Age (325 B.C. to 100 B.C.)
The Golden Age is considered the high point of Greek culture.
Drama, architecture, sculpture, and music
flourished during this time period.
The Greeks: Location
Where did the Greeks live?
The most
important Greek
city was Athens.
Athens is like
New York,
Hollywood, and
Washington,
D.C. combined.
The Greeks: People
What were the Greek people like?
The Greeks had an attitude of “this-worldliness” meaning
they didn’t believe in an after life so they wanted to make this
life the best it could possibly be.
Ever heard the expression, “Eat, drink, and be merry
for tomorrow you may die?”
That could easily be the life
motto of the ancient
Greeks.
The Greeks: Architecture
The Greeks were very logical in their thinking.
They were all about balance and order.
For example, take a look at their most famous building: the Parthenon.
220 by 90 feet, the
Parthenon was built during
the Golden Age as a temple
for the goddess Athena. It
was mathematically designed
to be supported by the
columns. Each piece is exact
and measured.
The Greeks
(500-100 B.C.)
Why are we talking about the Greeks?
We are going to study Greek mythology.
The Greeks:
Religion
The Greeks did not believe in one god, but many gods.
These gods were just like humans, only a little wiser
and with more physical strength.
A different god was created for every
aspect of nature and human activity, so
the Greek citizens did not depend on one
for all of their needs.
The gods themselves, because they were like
humans, were always capable to making
mistakes and could not always be trusted.
The Greeks: Religon
Mythology has three basic purposes:
1. To explain early science
2. To teach a lesson
3. To entertain
These stories brought together both men
and gods. The gods existed in and among
the humans.
The Greeks
(500-100 B.C.)
Famous Greeks:
Sophocles
Socrates
Pythagoras
Plato
Aristotle
The Ancient Romans
(100 B.C.-A.D. 500)
The Greek civilization began to decay by about 100 B.C. and in
came the Romans.
The Romans believed that it was their mission to bring
law and order to the world, so they went on great and
grand conquests to take over the world.
One by one the Greek cities fell to the Romans.
And the Romans, rather than create
their own culture, stole the Greek
culture and made it their own.
When they captured a city, the Romans would
steal the art and hang in their own homes.
When there wasn’t any more art to steal, the Roman
stole the artists to create art in the Grecian style.
The Romans: Location
Where did the Romans live?
The most
important city
was….Rome!
The Romans: People
What were the Romans like?
The Romans were mainly concerned with increasing
power and control—that is controlling land and money.
They placed more faith in their army than any gods.
The Romans, like the Greeks, were also “this-worldly”
And they didn’t just steal art from the Greeks.
They also stole their gods and mythology,
making only a few modifications.
The Romans
(100 B.C.-A.D. 500)
Zeus
Jupiter
Poseidon
Neptune
Hades
Pluto
The Romans: Architecture
When the Romans stole from the Greeks, they
were able to make improvements that make the
Romans famous for their technology.
The Romans built roads, aquaducts, and drainage systems.
These innovations allowed them to be more
powerful by increasing communication and control.
The Romans also took the Greek columns and pediments and
turned into the Roman arch, a HUGE innovation.
The Romans
(100 B.C.-A.D. 500)
The most famous Roman building is the Colosseum, a huge stadium
used for the Roman sporting events.
The Romans
(100 B.C.-A.D. 500)
Famous Romans:
Caesar Augustus
Julius Caesar
Constantine the Great
Nero
Hadrian