The document provides an overview of ancient Greek civilization including its geography, history, agriculture, architecture, art, athletics, mythology, and gods. Greece is located in Southeastern Europe and divided into three regions. Its history dates back 6,000 BC and is known through ancient artwork. Agriculture was limited due to poor soil but included crops like cotton and wine. Architecture had three styles called orders. Art included sculptures depicting gods and heroes. Athletics originated in religious games and the Olympics expanded over time. Mythology explained nature through stories of gods like Zeus and Poseidon.

1. The Ancient Civilization of Wonder

2.  Geography
 Greece is a country in Southeastern Europe.
 Greece is divided into three different regions; Northern
Greece, Central Greece and Peloponnese.
 The capital of Greece is Athens.
 History
 Ancient Greece goes all the way back to 6,000 B.C.
 This goes all the way back to the Neolithic Period
 We know about the history of Ancient Greece by observing
their artwork, like pottery, temples, sculptures and other
pieces of art from Ancient Greece.

3. Greece’s agriculture is poor because they lack natural resources to grow
their food. About 70 percent of the land cannot be farmed on due to
bad soil. Their agriculture takes place in the center of Thessaly,
Macedonia, and Thrace. Another thing that holds back Greece’s
agriculture is low rainfall and bad land ownership. Aside from all of
their rural factors, Greece is a major producer of cotton, tobacco and
even wine. Their agriculture also includes animals such as goat milk
which takes up 6% of their agriculture. Others include cattle, chicken,
rabbits, pigeons, and hogs.
photo courtesy of :
http://www.photographersdirect.com/buyers/stockphoto.asp?imageid=3013618

4.  The history of Ancient Greece starts back in the Stone
Age when there were hunters.
 Then came the civilizations of Minoan and Mycenaean
Kings, and early farming.
 After this came many wars, and this time was known
as the Dark Ages.
 After the Neolithic Period came the Bronze Age, which
started to 2800 B.C. and ended in 1050 B.C.
Photo courtesy of :
http://www.britishmuseum.org/the_museum/departments/greece_and_rome.aspx

5.  For their architecture, the Greeks came up with their own system that they
called orders.
 There are 3 orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.
 The Doric style is very sturdy and has a plain top.
 The Ionic style has a thinner and classier. Its top has a scroll like design.
 The last style is the Corinthian, which is also stylish and intricate. It is
often decorated with acanthus leaves.
Doric Ionic Corinthian
Pictures courtesy of: http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Art/

6.  The Greeks used a lot of material for their art, such as stone, marble,
limestone, and clay.
 These sculptures were very important to their culture because a lot of
them tell stories about Gods, heroes, and creatures.
 Many of the Greek statues are also part of the Roman culture, and the
Romans had deep respect for the Greek sculptures.
 Their Art was divided into seven time periods: Mycenaean Art, Sub-
Mycenaean or Dark Age, Proto-Geometric, Geometric Art, Archaic,
Classical, and Helloenistic.
Photo courtesy of: http://fashionarttrend.blogspot.com/2011/09/greek-art.html

7.  The Greeks actually invented athletic competitions.
 These competitions began in the early 700 B.C. to
honor their Gods.
 In the Olympics, no women were allowed to
participate or even watch the games.
 You had to be a citizen of Ancient Greece to
participate.
Photo courtesy of: http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/history/story/2008/05/05/f-olympics-feature-1906.html

8.  The Greek Olympics started out with two
competitions, athletics on one day and wrestling on
the other.
 This then expanded to five days of Olympics with
many events
 A lot of the athletes who competed in the Olympics
made sacrifices and often prayed.

9.  Greeks are well-known for their stories about Gods and
their many adventures.
 They tell stories called myths.
 The Gods and Goddesses in these myths are important
to their culture.
 The Greeks have made temples and statues to honor
them.
Photo courtesy of: http://www.collegeotr.com/college_otr/michigan_greek_mythology_the_list_2890

10.  One of the most famous Gods is Zeus, lord of the sky
and rain. He overthrew his father and won the battle
with his brother Hades. He is now the ruler of the
Gods.
 Another famous God is Poseidon, who is the God of
the sea. He is well-known for his tall trident and his
power to control the waters. He is also the brother of
Zeus.
Photos courtesy of: http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/1400/1447/zeus_1.htm and http://www.greekmythology.com/Olympians/Poseidon/poseidon.html

11.  "Greece Agriculture, Information about Agriculture in Greece." Encyclopedia of the
Nations - Information about countries of the world, United Nations, and World
Leaders. Advameg, Inc., n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2011.
 " Ancient Greece - History, mythology, art, war, culture, society, and architecture. ."
Ancient Greece - History, mythology, art, war, culture, society, and architecture. .
University Press Inc, n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2011.
 "Poseidon." Greek Mythology. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2011.