Contextualization

The Ancient Greek civilization is one of the most influential cultures in the history of western civilization. They were the pioneers of democracy, philosophy, mathematics, and the Olympic Games. Their impact on the world can still be seen today in our political systems, architectural styles, and even in our sports events.

Ancient Greece was composed of independent city-states, each with its own government, laws, and customs. These city-states were often in conflict with each other, but they also valued their collective identity as Greeks. This balance between individuality and unity is a key aspect of Ancient Greek culture.

In the field of Philosophy, the Greeks gave us great thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Their ideas on the nature of reality, the role of the individual in society, and the pursuit of knowledge still shape our thinking today.

In Mathematics, the Greeks made significant contributions, including the concept of geometry and the Pythagorean theorem. In Literature, they gave us epic poems like the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Furthermore, Ancient Greece was also home to one of the first known instances of the Olympic Games, which were held to honor the gods and bring peace among the city-states during the games.

The study of Ancient Greece is not just about learning facts and figures from the past. It's about understanding the foundations of our own culture and society. Many of the concepts and ideas that we take for granted today can be traced back to the Greeks.

Resources

1. Ancient Greece on Khan Academy
2. Ancient Greece on BBC Bitesize
3. History of Greece on Encyclopedia Britannica
4. Ancient Greece: City States and Government on Ducksters
5. Ancient Olympics on History.com
6. Book: "The Greeks: An Introduction to Their Culture" by Robin Sowerby and Maria B. Pantelia
7. Book: "The History of the Peloponnesian War" by Thucydides
8. Book: "The Greek Myths: The Complete and Definitive Edition" by Robert Graves

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Building an Ancient Greek City-State

Objective

The objective of this project is to understand the fundamental aspects of an Ancient Greek City-State and its contributions to philosophy, mathematics, literature, and the Olympic Games. Students will have the opportunity to delve into the culture, history, and contributions of Ancient Greece and apply their knowledge in a hands-on and creative manner.

Description

In this project, each group will be responsible for creating a detailed model of an Ancient Greek City-State, including its main structures, people, and their contributions. The model should be accompanied by a written piece that explains the different elements and their significance. Students will also prepare a presentation where they will explain their project to the class.

Necessary Materials

• Cardboard or foam board for the base of the model
• Colored paper, markers, and other craft supplies
• Internet access for research
• Books or other reliable sources of information about Ancient Greece
• A camera or smartphone for documenting the process

Steps

1. Research: Each group should start by researching a specific Ancient Greek City-State (Athens, Sparta, Corinth, etc.) and the different aspects of their culture, including their government, laws, customs, philosophy, mathematics, literature, and contributions to the Olympic Games.

2. Plan: After the research, the group should plan their model. They should decide which structures to include (such as the agora, temples, theater, gymnasium, etc.), how to represent the people, and how to incorporate their findings about philosophy, mathematics, literature, and the Olympic Games.

3. Create the Model: Using the cardboard or foam board as a base, the group should start building their model. They can use the colored paper and craft supplies to create the structures and people. They should also find a way to incorporate their findings about philosophy, mathematics, literature, and the Olympic Games into the model.

4. Documentation: Throughout the process, the group should document their work with photos and notes. These will be used later in the written part of the project.

5. Write the Report: Using their research and documentation, the group should write a report about their project. This report should have the following sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Used Bibliography.

6. Prepare the Presentation: The group should prepare a 10-15 minute presentation where they explain their model, their research, and the insights they gained about Ancient Greek City-States.

7. Present and Evaluate: Each group will present their project to the class. After each presentation, there will be a short Q&A session where the other students can ask questions and provide feedback.

Deliverables

• A detailed model of an Ancient Greek City-State, including its main structures and people.
• A written report detailing the project, the research findings, and the process of creating the model.
• A presentation where the group explains their project to the class.

The written report should include:

1. Introduction: Contextualize the chosen City-State, its relevance in Ancient Greece, and its importance today. State the objective of the project.

2. Development: Detail the theory behind the project (e.g., the structure of an Ancient Greek City-State, the contributions of the Greeks to philosophy, mathematics, literature, and the Olympic Games). Explain the methodology used to build the model, and present and discuss the main results obtained.

3. Conclusion: Revisit the main points of the project, including the key learnings about Ancient Greek City-States and their contributions. Discuss any challenges encountered during the project and the group’s thoughts on the outcomes.

4. Used Bibliography: List all the sources used for the research and preparation of the project (books, websites, videos, etc.). Make sure to cite them properly.

The project will allow students to explore the rich history and contributions of Ancient Greece in a hands-on and creative way. This approach will not only deepen their understanding of the subject but also develop their research, collaboration, time management, and problem-solving skills.