ENGLISH 🏛️

GREECE

• Officially named the “Hellenic Republic”, a country in the Mediterranean

• divided into city-states (known as poleis) during ancient times, ruled by noblemen.

• Largest Poleis: Athens, Sparta, Thebes, and Corinth—they were often at war with each other

  • each poleis possessed their own form of government and culture, it set each city-state apart from one another

• Greece was ruled by foreigners for over 2,000 years.

• Conquered by the Romans in the 2nd century.

• Later ruled by the Turks for nearly 400 years.

• Gained independence in 1832.

• The first Olympic Games were held in the southern city of Olympia in 700 B.C. to honor Zeus, the king of the gods.

• Only men could compete in the events such as sprinting, long jump, discus, javelin, wrestling, and chariot racing.

• The games were banned by the Romans in A.D. 393, but began again in Athens in 1896

GREEK

• can refer to the language or people

• the oldest language in Europe

• greeks didn’t just invent democracy, they invented the art of disagreeing respectfully while searching for the best solutions

• The main language is Greek, but most people also speak English.

• About 98% are Greek Orthodox, with small groups of Roman Catholics, Jews, and Muslims.

ATHENS

• the capital city of Greece

• In 508 B.C., Athens became very powerful and introduced a new system called democracy, where people could participate in government. However, only men were allowed to vote at that time.

Greece Topography

Ancient Greece was divided into 3:

• coastline

• lowlands

• mountains

1. Coastline (saltwater & harbor)

• The Greeks had some farmland, but they mainly relied on the sea for food and transportation. Rivers were unreliable, often drying up in summer and flooding in winter.

• surrounded by three seas: Ionian sea, Aegean sea, and the Mediterranean sea.

• the largest islands in Greece are Crete and Evia

2. The Lowlands: Rocky and Uneven Soil, Climate and Farming

• Summers were hot and dry, winters mild. Only 20% of land was farmable, so Greeks grew wheat, barley, olives, and grapes, raised sheep and cattle, and relied on trade for other goods.

3. The Mountains: Lots of Mountains and Fresh Water

• The Greeks settled near fresh water from mountain streams. The mountains provided water, natural defenses, and made travel hard, leading to the development of independent city-states and few roads.

• Mountains made travel difficult, leading to the rise of independent city-states like Athens, Sparta, and Corinth.

QnA in PPT

1. What is the official name of Greece?

• Hellenic Republic, a country in the Mediterranean.

2. What countries and seas surround Greece?

• To the north of Greece lie Albania, Bulgaria, and the former Yugoslav

Republic of Macedonia. To the east is Turkey.

3. What is the climate like in Greece?

• Greece has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Northern Greece has dense forests, while southern hills have shrubs and wildflowers. Spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons.

4. What do you know about the Greek people’s language?

• The main language is Greek, likely the oldest language in Europe. Most people also speak English.

5. What do you know about the Greek people’s religion?

• About 98% of Greeks are Greek Orthodox, while the rest follow Roman Catholic, Jewish, or Muslim faiths.

6. What is the holiday of the new year that occurs on January 8th?

• Gynaikratia. On this holiday men stay home doing housework while women relax at cafes.

7. Cite and describe the festivals or significant events mentioned in the text.

• Greek Carnival: Lasts three weeks in February and March before Lent. People wear costumes and enjoy feasts, parades, dances, and parties.

• Easter: The most important festival with candlelit processions, feasting, and fireworks.

• Hellenic Festival: A summer festival from mid-June to late September featuring concerts of traditional and modern Greek music and drama performances in ancient theaters.