ANCIENT GREECE

Facts about Ancient Greece

1. It’s believed the first Ancient Greek civilisations were formed nearly 4,000 years ago (approximately
1600 BC) by the mighty Mycenaeans of Crete (a Greek Island). The Ancient Greek Empire spread from
Greece through Europe and, in 800 BC, the Greeks started to split their land into city-states, each with its
own laws, customs and rulers.

2. The Greeks had some strange superstitions about food – some wouldn’t eat beans as they thought
they contained the souls of the dead!

3. The Ancient Greeks had lots of stories to help them learn about their world. The gods featured heavily
in these tales, and so did mythological monsters – like Cerberus, a three-headed dog that guarded the
gates to the underworld; Medusa, a slithery sorceress whose look could turn people to stone; and
the Cyclops who had one eye in the middle of its forehead – yikes! These tales are known as Greek
mythology.

4. Events at the Greek’s Olympics included wrestling, boxing, long jump, javelin, discus and chariot
racing. But those taking part in the wrestling event had to be the toughest, as there were hardly any rules
– and they had to compete naked. Eek!

5. Most Ancient Greeks wore a chiton, which was a long T-shirt made from one large piece of cotton. The
poor slaves, however, had to make do with a loincloth (a small strip of cloth wrapped around the waist)!

6. Statues of Greek gods and goddesses were placed inside temples, the most famous of which is the
Parthenon. This temple in Athens was built for the goddess Athena, the protector of the city.

7. A famous legend tells how, in 1180 BC, the cunning Greeks conquered the city of Troy – by hiding
inside a giant wooden horse! The horse was left outside the city’s walls and, thinking it a gift, the people of
Troy wheeled it inside… only for the sneaky Greek soldiers inside to creep out and seize the city!

8. Did you know that the Ancient Greeks invented the theatre? They loved watching plays, and most cities
had a theatre – some big enough to hold 15,000 people! Only men and boys were allowed to be actors,
and they wore masks, which showed the audience whether their character was happy or sad. Some of the
masks had two sides, so the actor could turn them around to change the mood for each scene.

9. The Ancient Greeks held many festivals in honour of their gods. To celebrate the god Zeus, for
example, the first Greek Olympics were held in the city of Olympia in 776 BC and are thought to have
inspired our own Olympic Games! The winners of each event were given a wreath of leaves, and when
they returned home, they would be given free meals and the best seats in the theatre!

10. The city-states were often at war, but just before the Olympics, a truce would be called so that
everyone could travel to Olympia safely.
 GREEK GODS AND GODDESSES

It was believed that the family of Greek gods lived in a cloud palace above Mount Olympus (the highest
mountain in Greece). These gods were thought to have special powers, and each had control over a
different aspect of life. Many of them also appear in the tales of Greek mythology.

Zeus was the king of the gods, and the most powerful. He was the god of the sky and thunder, and
controlled the weather. He had different powers, his most famous being the ability to hurl lightning bolts at
those who displeased him! He hated dishonesty, and would punish those who lied or broke promises.

Hera was Zeus’ wife and queen of the gods. She was the goddess of women, marriage and family. Hera
was well worshipped by the Ancient Greeks, and the oldest and most important temples of the region
were built in honour of her. Her sacred animals were the cow, lion and peacock.

Poseidon was the brother of Zeus, and god of the sea and earthquakes. Although one of the gods of
Mount Olympus, he spent most of his time in the ocean. His weapon was a trident which was said to be
so powerful it could shake the earth and shatter any object! He had a reputation for being bad-tempered
and moody, and would seek revenge on those who angered him.

Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty. The Greeks believed Aphrodite was created from the foam
of the sea on the shores of Paphos, Cyprus. She was considered the most beautiful of the gods, and later
married Hephaestus, god of metalwork and fire. Her sacred animal was the dove.

Hades was Zeus and Poseidon’s elder brother. Although a god of Mount of Olympus, Hades rarely left his
dark kingdom, the underworld, where he ruled over the dead. Because he represented death, Hades was
the most feared of the Ancient Greek gods – some people even refused to say his name! Hades was
aided in the underworld by his three headed dog, Cerberus.

A son of Zeus, Hermes was the messenger of the gods. He was also responsible for guiding the dead to
the underworld. Hermes was said to be the fastest of the gods and wore winged sandals and a winged
hat. He was also known for his intelligence and wit, and would help Zeus with his important decisions.

Demeter was the goddess of agriculture, vegetation and crop growth. She was also associated with the
seasons. The Ancient Greeks believed that her daughter, Persephone, was taken from her for four
months each year, during which Demeter would grieve and withdraw her gifts from the world, creating
winter.

A son of Zeus, Apollo was the Greek god of music, arts, light and medicine. He was famous for playing
the lyre (an instrument a bit like a small U-shaped harp) – and he was also believed to have invented the
lute (a pear-shaped string instrument). Although associated with health and healing, together with his twin
sister Artemis, he could bring disease and plague to humans.

Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom, skill and war. She taught humans various skills and crafts
such as weaving, and would protect heroes during war. She was said to be Zeus’ favourite daughter, so
much so that he would allow her to use his weapons – even this blastastic thunderbolt! Her sacred animal
was the owl.
 Greek mythology
Greek ‘myths’ (short for mythology) are a series of stories about the Gods and magical beings of Greece.
We’ll bet you’ve heard of some of the famous – and infamous! – characters already, such as Heracles,
(the strongest man on Earth) Zeus, (the God of the sky and king of the gods) Pegasus (a flying horse)
and Hades (the god of the underworld).

Created thousands of years ago, Greek myths were epic stories about Greek gods, passed down over
generations. They often feature heroic battles and terrible creatures, and taught the importance of
bravery, intelligence, and right and wrong. They showed that even the gods, like mortal men, could be
punished or rewarded for their actions. Details of the ancient tales have been found on everything from
pottery to temples to stone statues!

Greek myths were a huge part of the religion in Ancient Greece, and offer a glimpse into the lives of the
ancient people who told them. Check out five of these fascinating Greek myths below, and meet the
people-eating, fire-breathing beasts and the heroes who battled them!
Scylla and Charybdis

The Monster: Scylla and Charybdis

The Hero: Odysseus
The Battle: On both sides of a narrow stretch of sea, monsters lie in wait. On one side, Scylla thrashes
around her six snakelike heads, ready to crunch on passing sailors. On the other, Charybdis creates
a deadly whirlpool. No person has ever faced these beasts and escaped unharmed. Now the
king, Odysseus, and his crew must pass them to get home. They edge around Charybdis’ spiralling sea,
saving the ship from being swallowed whole. But Scylla swoops down and gobbles up six men. “Row!”
Odysseus shouts, leading the rest of the crew past Scylla and out of the deadly channel. Having survived
the dreaded beasts, Odysseus and his men continue their journey.

Theseus and the Minotaur

The Monster: The Minotaur

The Hero: Theseus
The Battle: Half-man, half-bull, the Minotaur lurks in an underground maze waiting for his next meal –
children sent to him as a sacrifice. Lost in the labyrinth, the kids surely will be devoured. But brave
king Theseus has had enough of his land living in fear of the Minotaur. He accompanies the group and is
prepared to fight. Hearing the Minotaur breathing nearby, he springs toward it. Dodging the monster’s
deadly horns, he thrusts his sword into the beast. The Minotaur is dead, but will the group find its way
out? Luckily, Theseus unspooled a piece of string as he walked through the maze, and leads the children
out to safety.

The Labours of Heracles

The HydraThe Monster: The Hydra
The Hero: Heracles
The Battle: In a swamp creeps a deadly nine-headed serpent called the Hydra. Killing it is one of 12
tasks Heracles – the son of Greek god, Zeus – must complete to become immortal. After throwing flaming
spears at the beast, the Hydra attacks so Heracles hits its heads with a club, but more grow in their place!
Heracles’ friend, Iolus, then leaps to his aid with a flaming torch. After an epic battle, the men finally
destroy the Hydra!
Perseus and Medusa

The Monster: Medusa

The Hero: Perseus
The Battle: The hideous Medusa has snakes for hair, terrifying tusks and a face that turns anyone that
looks at it into stone! To please his king, warrior Perseus agrees to slay the beast. Wearing a helmet of
invisibility, he sneaks up on Medusa. She’s asleep, but one gaze at her face and Perseus would be a
statue! So he looks at her harmless reflection in his shiny shield and beheads her. Victorious, Perseus
flies off on winged sandals.

HARPIES

The Harpies were mythical monsters in Greek mythology that had

the form of a bird with a human female face; often agents of
punishment they abducted people and tortured them on their way to
Hades’ domain, employed by the God as instruments for the
punishment of the guilty.

PEGASUS

Pegasus is a mythological creature described as a beautiful, pure

white stallion with wings. He was born from the blood of Medusa, a
frightful Gorgon whose gaze could turn men to stone, when the
hero Perseus decapitated her.

THE SIRENS

The Sirens were creatures that sang beautifully, luring those

passing by to their deaths.

CYCLOPS

The Cyclops were giant; one-eyed monsters; a wild race of lawless

creatures who possess neither social manners nor fear of the Gods.
Cyclopes means ‘round eye.’ Considered the sons of Uranus and
Gaea they were the workmen of the God Hephaestus whose
workshop was in the heart of the volcanic mountain Etna.