The Culture of Ancient Greece

1
The Culture of Ancient Greece

• 5.1

2
Greek Mythology

• 12 most important gods lived on Mt Olympus
• Greeks used the myths explain the harshness of
  the world
• Greeks believed in prophecy.
• Oracles were used to predict the future
• Most famous oracle was at the Temple of Apollo at
  Delphi

3
Greek Poetry and Fables

• The Iliad and Odyssey were written by Homer.
• Iliad is about a battle for the city of Troy
• Odyssey is about a Greek hero named Odysseus
• Aesop wrote many fables.
• These are short stories that teach a lesson.

4
Greek Drama

• Drama is a story told by actors who pretend to
  be characters in the story.
• Tragedy
• Comedy
• Famous writers
• Aeschylus wrote Oresteia teaches that evil
  acts cause more evil and suffering
• Sophocles wrote Oedipus and Antigone
• Euripides wrote about real-life people instead of
  Gods
• Aristophanes wrote comedies that made fun of
  politicians and scholars

5
Greek Art and Architecture

• Believed in ideas of reason, balance, harmony and
  moderation looked for perfection
• Sculptures reflected these ideas
• Most important architecture in Greece was the
  temple. Most famous was/ is the Parthenon
• Greek columns