UNIT 6: ANCIENT GREECE

LESSON 35: THE LEGACY OF ANCIENT GREECE

1) LITERATURE AND HISTORY

2) GOVERNMENT
 The Greek concept of democracy, or rule by
the people, began in Athens. So did the
practice of citizens serving on juries. Many
countries have been influenced by the
Greeks.
 There are a number of notable differences,
however, between American democracy and
ancient Greek democracy. For example, in
Athens, all citizens debated and voted on every
issue. However, in the United States, citizens elect representatives to speak for them
and create laws.

3) MEDICINE
 A Greek man named Hippocrates (hih-POK-ruh-
teez) changed how people regarded health and
medicine. Hippocrates is often called the “father
of medicine.” He brought a scientific way of
thinking to his profession as a doctor. Hippocrates
believed that diseases had natural causes. He
taught his students to carefully document
observations of their patients. Greeks also
became experts in herbal medicine.
 Hippocrates established principles of medicine that are still relevant. Today, people
who become doctors take the Hippocratic Oath, based on these ideas of ethical
behavior. Doctors promise to be honest, to preserve life, and to keep information
about their patients private.

4) MATHEMATICS
 One such scientist, Pythagoras (pih-THAG-er-uhs), believed that numbers
were the key to understanding nature. He established a school where students
developed mathematical theories.
 Like many Greeks, Pythagoras was especially fascinated by geometry, which
comes from a Greek word that means “to measure land.” Geometry began as a
system for measuring areas of land.

1
 Another famous Greek mathematician was Euclid (YOO-klid). His geometry
textbook has been used as the basis for the teaching of geometry for more
than 2,000 years.
 Greek culture produced the first woman to earn fame as a mathematician, Hypatia
(hie-PAY-shuh). She taught Greek philosophy and mathematics in the city of
Alexandria. Hypatia helped further develop the astrolabe and principles in geometry.

5) ASTRONOMY
 Astronomy, the scientific study of outer space, comes from the Greek word for “star.”
Ancient Greeks were pioneers in this field.
 Greek scientist named Aristarchus (ayr-uh-STAHR-kuhs) was the first person
to suggest that Earth revolves, or moves, around the sun. This idea agitated
many Greeks who believed that Earth was the center of the universe.
 Another Greek, Hipparchus (hih-PAHR-kuhs), is often referred to as one of
the greatest scientists of the ancient world. He studied and named more than
850 stars, and he also determined how to estimate the distances from Earth to both
the sun and the moon. His theories allowed later scientists to accurately predict
eclipses of the moon.

6) GEOGRAPHY
 The word geograph comes from Greek words that translate to “writing about the
earth.” The Greek historian Herodotus wrote about what he found in such
detail that later geographers could reconstruct a map of the world as he
described it in 450 B.C.E. To gather the information, Herodotus posed geographic
questions, many of which he answered by traveling and by speaking with other
voyagers.
 Another notable geographer of ancient times was Ptolemy (TAH-luh-mee), a
Greek scientist who lived in Alexandria, Egypt. He wrote a book
called Geographia that listed about 8,000 locations around the world and
contained maps that showed how to represent the curve of Earth on a flat surface.
 Ptolemy also designed a system of lines drawn on a map
called latitude and longitude. With this system, he recorded the specific locations
for the thousands of places he listed in his book. Centuries later, Arab scholars would
further develop the study of geography, especially in the field of mapmaking.

7) BIOLOGY
 Ancient Greeks developed the science of biology. About 600 B.C.E., Greek
thinkers believed each event has a cause and an effect, so they examined the natural
world through this lens.
 Curiosity led Greeks to study plants and animals. Scientists learned about the
anatomy, or body structure, of animals and humans, which helped doctors advance
their medical studies.
 The Greeks identified plants and also named their parts. The Greeks learned that
plants reproduce by spreading seeds. Greek doctors used plants, such as herbs, as
medicines and pain treatments.
 Because living things fascinated the Greek philosopher Aristotle, he
collected information about various types of animals and plants. Then he
organized animals into groups, such as “those with backbones” and “those without
backbones.” He divided plants into such groups as “herbs,” “shrubs,” and
“trees.” The way animals and plants are classified, or grouped, today reflects
the work of Aristotle.

8) ARCHITECTURE

2
 The word architecture comes from a Greek word that means “master builder.” Greek
architecture was one of the achievements of the Golden Age of Athens. One
notable feature was how the Greeks used columns to make their temples appear
balanced and stately. Another feature was the pediments, or the triangular shapes
where roof lines connect. And a third architectural feature was the decorated bands
called friezes. Skilled craftsman, laborers, and enslaved people made these
achievements possible.
 Today, Greek styles are still used in many buildings. They are common in public
structures such as government buildings, schools, churches, libraries, and museums.
The U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court have elements of Greek architecture, such as
columns and pediments.
 You can also find Greek architectural styles in homes and stores. For example, many
houses have covered porches, similar to the Greek stoa, which is a covered line of
columns.

9) THEATRE
 The word theater is derived from a Greek word that
translates to “a viewing place.” Greek theaters were
built as semicircles with rows of seats rising steeply
from the stage so that everyone in the audience
could see and hear, like theaters today.
 The Greeks even invented special effects. For
example, they used hoists to lift actors off the stage
so that they appeared to be flying. The Greeks also
created scenery that revolved, which allowed them
to quickly change where the action in a play was
occurring. Perhaps the greatest Greek
contributions to the theater are their stories
and plays. Greek myths and tales have inspired
writers throughout the ages. Many novels, such as The Hobbit and Don Quixote, are
retellings of The Odyssey. Greek dramas are still performed around the world

10) SPORTS
 Many modern sports trace their roots back to
ancient Greece. The most famous example is
the Olympic Games.
 The first Olympics were held in 776 B.C.E. to honor
the Greek god Zeus. Today’s Olympic Games reflect
ancient Greek customs. However, today they
include women, and people with disabilities can
participate in the Paralympics. During the opening
ceremony, an athlete ignites the Olympic flame.
This custom comes from the time in ancient Greece
when the first Olympic athletes lit a fire on the altar
of Zeus.
 Numerous modern Olympic events originated from
Greek contests. One example is the pentathlon, which means “five contests” in
Greek. The Greek pentathlon included the footrace, discus throw, long jump, javelin
throw, and wrestling. The pentathlon remains an Olympic event.