Ancient Greece
Period
Ancient Greece was a period in Greece's history that started in the 8th century BC and ended in the 6th century AD. This period was not only defined by rulers and wars, but by the earliest known writings of the poet Homer. Click the timeline to see a few key events that happened in Ancient Greece.
The Olympics
The first Olympics was held in Olympia, Greece. Thus the name. The most popular games included wrestling, boxing, and chariot racing. During this time period though, the Olympics were very different from how they are now. In fact, all athletes competed naked, and some even wrestled covered in oil!
Democracy
The word democracy is made up of two Greek words meaning people and rule because when the Greeks first created it in Athens, they wanted every citizen to have a voice. Unfortunately though, only free men were considered citizens, so although they may have been ahead of their time, they still had a long way to go!
Philosophy
Greeks loved art and science, but what they loved even more was to debate them - among other things. Philosophers like Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle were considered the educators in Ancient Greece, and they taught the young men who followed them to examine, analyze, and argue very carefully.
Architecture
Ancient Greek architecture still has a strong influence on buildings today, especially government buildings. The Greeks were known for their use of columns, intricate details, and balance. Many of the ancient buildings that survived are temples they erected for their gods.
Learn More
Interested in learning more about Ancient Greece? Watch Ancient Greece 101 from National Geographic for a quick 4-minute overview on the region and time period and everything it offered.