Greek Cultural Achievements

6th Grade UBD - Unit 6 - Greek Cultural Achievements

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Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle- Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle each developed distinctive philosophies. They were similar to and different from other philosophies.

Achievements of the Ancient Greeks- The ancient Greeks were responsible for many cultural achievements. These influenced societies around them as well as future civilizations.

Alexander the Great- Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire. He spread Greek ideas and culture.

Reach Into Your Background

Plays were an important part of Greek culture. A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters that is intended for performance. What are the names of some plays you know about? ( 5 minutes)

Partner ActivityWork with a

neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Key Term

Amphitheater-  A round or oval building, typically unroofed, with a central space for the presentation of dramatic events. 

Key Idea- Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

The philosophies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle greatly influenced political and cultural life in ancient Greece. These philosophies were passed on through the ages. They influenced leaders throughout Western history.

The Golden Age of Greece

During the classical period of ancient Greece (about 479–323 BCE), philosophy, literature, architecture, and sculpture flourished.

As a result, this period came to be known as the Golden Age of Greece. 

The Golden Age of Greece

Philosophy, the search for wisdom became an important part of life in Athens.

Greeks built palaces and temples that still stand. The influence of their architecture and sculpture can be seen in many modern buildings and works of art.

SocratesVideo- Socrates

Key Term

Socrates- A ancient Greek philosopher who lived in Athens during its Golden Age teacher of Plato.

Key Term

Socratic Method- A method of teaching by question and answer; used by Socrates.

Socrates

Socrates, the famous Greek philosopher and teacher, developed a method of teaching that involved asking questions and engaging people in debate. 

This approach came to be called the Socratic method.

Socrates

Over the years, Socrates attracted many followers.

However, his teaching often opposed commonly held beliefs of Greek society and offended powerful Athenians.

Socrates

Eventually, Socrates was tried in court, convicted of treason, and executed.

Socrates did not write down his own ideas, but many of his followers wrote about him and his teachings.

These writings influenced many thinkers throughout the ages.

PlatoVideo- Plato

Key Term

Plato- Ancient Athenian philosopher; pupil of Socrates; teacher of Aristotle.

Plato 

Plato was Socrates’s most important student.

He established a school called the Academy that provided instruction in mathematics, science, and philosophy. 

Plato 

He also wrote a series of dialogues, which often depicted Socrates debating moral and ethical issues.

These works criticized popular views on concepts like justice, courage, and moderation. 

Plato 

One of Plato’s most famous dialogues is a work called the Republic, which describes an ideal state.

Key Term

Aristotle- One of the greatest of the ancient Athenian philosophers; pupil of Plato; teacher of Alexander the Great.

Aristotle

Plato also had a famous student, Aristotle, who analyzed the process of logical thinking and wrote books on many topics, including forms of government. 

Aristotle

Aristotle thought that monarchies, aristocracies, and democracies all had serious flaws.

Because of this, he reasoned that a constitutional monarchy would work best.

With this type of government, a constitution limits the power of the monarch.

Key Ideas- Achievements of the Ancient Greeks

The ancient Greeks developed the first version of democracy.

The ancient Greeks developed a complex mythology. It shaped Roman mythology.

The Olympic Games began in ancient Greece. The Greek language forms the basis of many English

words. Homer wrote the epic poems the Iliad and Odyssey. Greek drama included comedy and tragedy.

Science and City PlanningVideo- Science and City Planning

Achievements of the Ancient Greeks

Ancient Greek thinkers were not just philosophers. For generations, Greeks had traded with many civilizations. They traded with Egyptians, Phoenicians, Mesopotamians, and others.

From these groups, the Greeks adopted an alphabet. They made coins. They learned innovations. As Greek influence grew, Greek ideas led to innovations in other societies. These ideas spread throughout the region.

Math

Pythagoras, a mathematician and philosopher, developed what has come to be called the Pythagorean Theorem, an important and well-known mathematical equation. 

Pythagorean Theorem

This famous equation, a2 + b2 = c2, shows the relationship between the sides of a right triangle.

It is still used in geometry today.

People use it to calculate everything from the heights of tall buildings to the diagonal on a TV screen.

Key Term

Hippocrates- Medical practitioner who is regarded as the father of medicine; author of the Hippocratic oath.

Science

Hippocrates was a doctor who lived during the Classical period.

He studied the causes of diseases and their possible cures.

He also wrote about the roles and responsibilities of doctors to their patients.

Science

In one work, Hippocrates wrote an oath. Those who took the oath swore to protect patients from harm. They swore to live an ethical life.

Science

Today, doctors still make a similar pledge. It is called the Hippocratic Oath.

They make this pledge before they are licensed to practice medicine.

Architecture

One of the best examples of Greek architecture is the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.

Ancient Greek architecture has had a significant impact on Western architecture.

Art

During the classical period, the ancient Greeks also developed sculptures that were natural and lifelike.

Greek MythologyVideo- Greek Mythology

Key Term

Mythology- The study of myths, legends, or folk tales.

Mount OlympusVideo- Mount Olympus

Religion in Ancient Greece

The ancient Greeks practiced polytheism, or the belief in many gods.

They believed in 12 major gods and goddesses, known as the Olympians. 

Religion in Ancient Greece

The Greeks also believed that their gods and goddesses could speak through certain human priests and priestesses known as oracles.

Religion in Ancient Greece  The Greeks consulted

these oracles for advice in making decisions.

The Greeks thought that their gods and goddesses were involved in their daily lives and sometimes controlled events.

Religion in Ancient Greece

Ancient Greek religious beliefs also informed their myths, or stories about heroes and gods that explained the world around them and human behavior. 

Religion in Ancient Greece

The mythology of ancient Greece impacted other societies in its own time, and still influences world literature today.

The Olympics

The ancient Greeks created the Olympics, an athletic competition that was part of a religious festival honoring the god Zeus. 

At first, the games only involved running a race. Later, other events were added, including longer races, javelin throwing, and jumping.

The Olympics After Rome conquered

Greece, the Romans banned the games in 393 CE.

However, they were revived in 1896 with the first modern Olympic games in Athens.

Since then, the Games have become one of the most important international athletic events in the world.

Language and Literature

Literature was an important element of Greek culture.

The ancient Greeks wrote many types of literature but were most well known for their poetry and drama. 

Language and Literature

The poet Homer is believed to have written the Iliad and the Odyssey, two epic poems. The ancient Greeks also wrote plays, including tragedies and comedies.

Key Term

Epic- A long narrative poem that describes heroic deeds. It can be either written or oral.

Language and Literature

The Greek language has had a significant impact on English.

Many English words are derived from Greek words.

Language and Literature

English also uses Greek word parts to create words that did not exist in ancient Greek, such as telephone and teles

cope (using the Greek prefix tele-, which means farseeing).

Key Ideas- Alexander the Great Alexander the Great won a series of victories over

the Persian army. He gained control of the Persian Empire.

Alexander helped the cultural exchange between the Macedonians and the Persians.

Alexander conquered lands in Asia. The conquests of Alexander spread Greek ideas and culture throughout these lands.

The conquests of Alexander caused Greek and Asian cultures to mix.

Alexander the GreatVideo- Alexander the Great

Key TermAlexander the Great- was a king of Macedonia, an area just north of Greece, in the 300s BCE. He is known as one of the greatest military leaders and conquerors the world has ever known.

Alexander the Great

In 336 BCE, Alexander the Great became king of Macedonia, a northern Greek state. Alexander had been a student of Aristotle’s. 

Alexander the Great

From his base in Greece, he conquered many lands and defeated the Persian Empire, creating a great empire.

By 331 BCE, Alexander had conquered present-day Turkey, the east coast of the Mediterranean, and Egypt. 

Alexander the Great

Alexander went on to conquer Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis.

During the fighting, Darius III of Persia was killed and Alexander became the undisputed king of Asia.

However, Alexander failed to set up a stable government.

Cultural Impact of Alexander the Great

After his sudden death in 323 BCE, at age 32, his empire broke apart into several states. But Alexander’s conquests had a lasting effect on the world, as Greek ideas, architecture, and culture spread throughout the Asian lands he conquered. 

In return, Asian ideas and culture influenced Greece. This intermingling of Greek and Asian cultures produced a unique civilization called the Hellenistic Civilization.

Hellenistic CivilizationVideo- Hellenistic Civilization

Independent Activity

What has been the

“muddiest” point so

far in this lesson? That

is, what topic remains

the least clear to you?

(4 minutes)

Partner Activity Work with a

neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)