South Carolina Standards ​6-2.1: Describe the development of ancient Greek culture (the Hellenic period), including the concept of citizenship and the early forms of democracy in Athens. 6-2.2: Analyze the role of Alexander the Great (Hellenistic period), Socrates, Plato, Archimedes, Aristotle, and others in the creation and spread of Greek governance, literature, philosophy, the arts, math and science.

1. HELLENIC GREECE
6-2.1: Describe the development of ancient
Greek culture (the Hellenic period), including
the concept of citizenship and the early forms
of democracy in Athens.

2. I. Hellenic Greece
I. Hellenic Greece
A. Hellenic - an adjective that describes anything from
ancient Greece.
B. Ancient Greek culture, language, architecture,
religion, philosophy would all be described as Hellenic

3. II. Geography
II. Geography
A. Located on the continent of Europe on the Mediterranean
Sea.
B. Land of mountains, rocky coastlines, and islands.
C. Farmland was located near the coast and in river valleys.
D. The geography kept the people separated, isolated, and
protected from invasion.
E. Living close to the coast, the Greeks were experienced
at fishing, trading, and sailing.

4. III. Greek Polis
A. Villages in Greece were isolated and independent of
one another due to the mountainous geography of Greece.
B. Villages started to band together to form strong
trading centers.
C. Villages that banded together were called a city-state
(polis).
D. City-State (web-link)- A city with political and
economic control over the surrounding countryside.

5. III. Greek Polis Continued…
E. Polis - A city-state in ancient Greece.
1.Ancient Greeks referred to themselves as citizens
of their individual polis (Sparta - Spartans, Athens -
Athenians).
2. Each polis had its own personality, goals, laws and
customs.
3. Ancient Greeks were very loyal to their polis.

6. IV. Architecture
IV. Architecture
A. Acropolis (web-link)
1. A fortress that stood on a high hill; used for
protection for a polis
2. The polis around the acropolis was surrounded by
walls for added protection.
3. Farmers lived outside the wall, but in time of war
came inside the wall for protection.

7. IV. Architecture Continued
B. Greek Columns (Ionic, Doric, Corinthian) -
1. Greek columns were tall and measured carefully.
2. You can see Greek architecture, especially
columns, in today's world. An example is Thomas
Jefferson's Monticello.
C. Temples-
1. The Greeks built large temples for their gods.
2. Parthenon (web-link)- Built for the goddess Athena

8. V. Religion and Mythology
V. Religion and Mythology
A. Mythology (web-link)- Stories about gods and
heroes that try to explain how the world works.
B. Greeks believed that the gods caused things to
happen and their mythology explained why.
C. Greeks built temples to honor their gods
D. Examples of Greek Gods - polytheism
1. Zeus - King of the gods
2. Poseidon - god of the sea
3. Hades - god of the underworld
4. Athena - goddess of war, wisdom, and handicrafts

9. VI. Greek Literature and Theater
VI. Greek Literature and Theater
A. Epic Poems - Long poems that tell a story about a
hero.
1. Homer wrote the Illiad and Odyssey tales of
great adventure
B. Fables - Short stories that teach the reader lessons
about life or give advice on how to live.
1. Aesop wrote fables using animals as humans.
2. The Ant and the Grasshopper teaches the
lesson to think and plan ahead for the future.
3. Language - We still use Greek terms in our
language today

10. VI. Greek Literature and Theater Continued
C. Greek Theater -
1. Tragedy - Plays that described the hardships
faced by Greek heroes.
2. Comedies - Plays that made fun of people and
ideas, especially politics.

11. VII. Greek Wars
VII. Greek Wars
A. Persian War (web-link)- Greek city-states created an
alliance to defeat the Persian empire.
1. Greek city states formed an alliance with each
other called the Delian League.
2. Delian League (web-link)- Each city-state agreed
to help defend each other.
B. Peloponnesian War (web-link)- War between Sparta
and Athens. Sparta defeated Athens.

12. VIII. - Role of Famous Greeks
VIII. - Role of Famous Greeks
A. Philosophers - People who believed in the power of
the human mind to think, explain, and understand life.
1. Socrates (web-link)- Believed people should
never stop learning.
a. Socratic Method - type of teaching where
the teacher asks questions. Example - What is courage?
2. Plato (web-link)- Wrote about his belief of the
ideal society.
a. His ideal society would be based on justice and
fairness to everyone.

13. VIII. - Role of Famous Greeks Continued
3. Aristotle - Believed that people should live lives of
moderation, or balance.
a. Give reason to your life - You should think about your
actions and how they will affect others
b. Also used logic - Using facts you know to figure out other
facts
B. Math and Science -
1. Archimedes (engineer) - Invented the water screw. A device
that helps farmers bring water to their fields.
2. Pythagoras - Greek mathematician who studied geometry -
study of lines, angles, and shapes

14. VIII. - Role of Famous Greeks Continued
C. Medicine
1. Hippocrates - "Father of Medicine" - Greek doctor
who studied diseases so he better study them.
a. He also wrote how doctors should behave.